San Beda University – Manila

638 Mendiola St, San Miguel, Manila Philippines

Prof. Dr. James Loreto C. Piscos – Art Appreciation

Name: Undajare, Jemimah S. Date: March 24, 2023

Year & Section: 1DLM Score:

Critique Paper As Add-on Bonus Points for MX about Ahimsa or Non

Violence In the Light of Jainism

World Behind the Text

Jain Tradition: An Introduction

As explained by (Dr. Pandey, 2023), Notable seminars brought together scholars from
different parts of the world to discuss the interpretation and understanding of religious texts. His
research interests also include the study of ancient Indian philosophy and its relevance in
contemporary times, which he explores through various publications and presentations. Dr.
Pandey's contributions to the field of Jainism and Yoga have been widely recognized, and he has
received numerous awards and honors for his work. His dedication to promoting interfaith
dialogue and understanding has also made him a respected figure in the academic community.

Social and Religious Conflict

(Jain, 2016, para. 1). The Jains' technique and their core message of nonviolence when
battling the overwhelming and depressing environmental crises that humanity is facing. While
not everyone will agree with this religious perspective, I think there are some concepts that may
be disseminated more widely in order to form the cornerstone of a sustainable future based on
respect, compassion, and discipline. This week, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi teaches ahimsa, the
fundamental Jain principle of nonviolence. The primary concept of Jainism is ahimsa, or
nonviolence, which goes beyond refraining from physical violence to include avoiding injury in
all its manifestations, including emotional and mental suffering.. This principle is particularly
 San Beda University – Manila
638 Mendiola St, San Miguel, Manila Philippines

Prof. Dr. James Loreto C. Piscos – Art Appreciation

relevant in today's world as we face environmental challenges that require us to live in harmony
with nature and each other.

Way of life

Jains believe in reducing harm to all living things and the environment via the practice of
ahimsa, which can be considered as a useful lesson for people and society at large in establishing
a more sustainable future. The ahimsa (non-violence) concept of the Jain community might
motivate us to reevaluate our consumption habits and lifestyle decisions and to develop a more
thoughtful and compassionate attitude toward the environment and all of its inhabitants. We may
endeavor to create a more peaceful and sustainable society for ourselves and future generations
by embracing the nonviolent values. We can work toward a more tranquil and harmonious
coexistence with the natural world by implementing these concepts into our daily lives.

Ahimsa

(Stefon et al., 2015). In Jainism, ahimsa serves as the yardstick by which all deeds are
assessed. It applies to humans, huge animals, insects, plants, and microorganisms. One of the
first disciplines a student of yoga learns, it must be mastered during the preliminary stage.
Ahimsa was expanded into politics by Mohandas K. Gandhi as satyagraha, or nonviolent protest
against a particular evil.

Jain Way of Life/Vows

(BBC, 2014) The five abstinences—Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (not
stealing), Aparigraha (non-acquisition), and Brahmacarya—emerge from these three jewels and
relate to proper behaviour (chaste living). Moreover, there are two variations of the five vows:
Mahavrata, or the "five great vows," which Jain nuns and monks follow. The smaller vows
observed by Jain laypeople are called anuvrata. The great vows are modified here to be less
stringent.
 San Beda University – Manila
638 Mendiola St, San Miguel, Manila Philippines

Prof. Dr. James Loreto C. Piscos – Art Appreciation

Samsara

(Gaur, 2023). Sanskrit for "flowing around," samsara is the main concept of metempsychosis
in Indian philosophy. The soul, finding itself submerged in the "sea of samsara," seeks to find
freedom (moksha) from the chains of its own previous deeds (karma), which are a component of
the larger web from which samsara is made. Buddhism, which rejects the idea of a permanent
soul, acknowledges the presence of a semipermanent personality core that experiences samsara.

Samsara encompasses everything from insects (and occasionally vegetables and minerals) to
the creator god Brahma. The caliber of a person's past existence determines where they were
born in the hierarchy of life. Several theories have been put forth to explain how the karmic
process within samsara operates. Many believe that the soul first travels to a heaven or hell after
death until it has expended the majority of its positive or negative karma. The remainder of its
karma then determines the circumstances of its subsequent life, and it then returns to a new
womb. Theoretically, this permits the potential of remembering past lives (jatismara), a skill that
great saints have or can develop. The so-called Jataka stories, in which the Buddha (Siddhartha
Gautama, the founder of Buddhism), describes his prior lives, are typical of this idea. The Jataka
stories also serve as an example of the moral and salvific potential that results from a correct,
enlightened understanding of the wide web of connections that the concept of samsara describes.

World of the Text: Major Contents of the Talk

Pre-requisite for Primary Practices of Ahimsa

(Sanjay et al., 2016). Jainism is a religion that teaches nonviolence and the law of karma.
Mahavir's words "you are that which you intend to hit, injure, insult, torment, persecute, torture,
enslave or kill" are a reminder that negative actions have consequences and that we must think
through our actions and see if they are necessary to our existence. The global ecological crisis
that is threatening the entire human race is the consequence of an echoing back of our own
negative thoughts, words and actions. This week, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi introduces ahimsa, the
 San Beda University – Manila
638 Mendiola St, San Miguel, Manila Philippines

Prof. Dr. James Loreto C. Piscos – Art Appreciation

central, non-violence duty of Jainism. Jains believe that nonviolence is the most essential duty
for everyone and that every act by which a person directly or indirectly supports killing or injury
is violence.

Food Practices based on Non-Violence

Jain vegetarianism is central to ahimsa and is not just a matter of not eating meat, but of
eating less, eating your last meal before sunset, eating while sharing, and eating that which is in
season and local. Jains believe that all animals, plants, and human beings contain living souls and
should be treated with respect and compassion. The discipline imposed is purity of thought, word
and deed, and it is not enough if one abstains from inflicting pain on other beings; if you approve
of such conduct in others, that approval makes you responsible for the cruelty of killing practiced
by others.

Forgiveness as Essential Practice & Social Practice of Ahimsa

Dr, Shrinetra Pandey and Dr. Cogen Bohanec discuss the principles of nonviolence and how
they can be applied in our daily lives to create a more peaceful and sustainable world. It may also
touch on the relationship between humans and the natural world and how nonviolent principles
can help us coexist more harmoniously. The discussion may also delve into the Jain concept of
ahimsa, which means nonviolence towards all living beings, and how it can inspire individuals to
adopt a more ethical and compassionate lifestyle. Additionally, they may explore how Jainism's
emphasis on simplicity and non-attachment can contribute to a more sustainable way of living.

Inter-Textual: Comparing Various Concepts about Non-Violence be it in Christianity,

Filipino Culture etc.
 San Beda University – Manila
638 Mendiola St, San Miguel, Manila Philippines

Prof. Dr. James Loreto C. Piscos – Art Appreciation

Christianity

The Christian story begins with a song of the angels to the shepherds when Jesus was born:
"Glory to God and the highest and upon the earth peace" (Luke 2:14). Thus from its inception
Christianity contained q concern for peace on earth (George, 1987). George continues to explain
that we can identify three elements in Jesus' approach to peace. (Peacce Education EBook,
2010). These elements include the proclamation of peace, the practice of nonviolence, and the
promotion of justice. Jesus' teachings on peace continue to influence Christian beliefs and
practices today.

Non-Violence in Ahimsa

One of the cardinal virtues and a central principle of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism is
nonviolence, or ahimsa. It is a multidimensional idea that is motivated by the idea that all living
things possess the divine spiritual energy spark, and that harming another creature is
consequently harming oneself. Similarly, the promotion of justice is a key component of Islamic
teachings, with the Quran emphasizing the importance of fairness and equality for all people.
These shared values across different religions demonstrate the universal desire for peace and
harmony in the world.

Non-Violence in Filipino Culture

(Oxfam, 2023). Raakin was one of 30 IDP volunteers who attended the Early Warning Early
Response training offered by Oxfam partner United Youth of the Philippines-Women
(UnYPHIL-Women) in collaboration with the Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro (Women for Truth
and Justice in the Bangsamoro) and Nonviolent Peaceforce Philippines (NPF). The training
covered IDP rights under the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (UNGPID),
Islamic.
 San Beda University – Manila
638 Mendiola St, San Miguel, Manila Philippines

Prof. Dr. James Loreto C. Piscos – Art Appreciation

Exegesis: Design a cognitive mapping to present the core concepts of Jainism and its
meanings. Integrate findings in inter-textual

(National Geographic, 2022). One of the three oldest religions in India, Jainism has origins
that can be traced to at least the middle of the first century B.C.E. It is still a fundamental aspect
of Indian society today. According to Jainism, the best way to achieve enlightenment is by
nonviolence and minimizing harm to all living creatures, including plants and animals.

Jains hold the same reincarnational beliefs as Hindus and Buddhists. One's karma determines
how often they will experience birth, death, and reincarnation. Jains have the view that injuring
living creatures results in negative karma. Jains must adhere to the strict nonviolent ethic of
ahimsa in order to avoid creating negative karma. Jains hold that all living things, including
plants, animals, and certain inanimate objects (such as air and water), possess souls. Doing no
harm to people, plants, animals, or the environment is part of the nonviolence tenet. Jains are
very stringent vegetarians; in fact, they are so severe that eating root vegetables is forbidden
because doing so would result in the plant's death. Vegetables that grow above the earth,
however, are permissible for Jains to eat because they may be harvested without harming the rest
of the plant. The highest Jain monks and nuns abstain from slapping at insects and cleaning a
 San Beda University – Manila
638 Mendiola St, San Miguel, Manila Philippines

Prof. Dr. James Loreto C. Piscos – Art Appreciation

path on the floor to avoid stepping on ants out of complete devotion to nonviolence. The four
extra vows of Jainism—always speaking the truth, never stealing, exercising sexual control (with
celibacy as the ideal), and not being enamored of material things—are also guidelines for
followers.

Jainism has its own spiritual teachers and leaders despite sharing many ideas and principles
with Buddhism and Hinduism. Jains revere 24 Jinas, also known as Tirthankaras, who attained
enlightenment and were freed from the cycle of rebirth. Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana,
was one of the most important Jinas and is regarded as the 24th and last Jina. Although many
academics disagree, he was born into the kshatriya, or warrior class, and his birth is typically
dated to 599 B.C.E. He gave up his material goods when he was 30 to lead an ascetic lifestyle
(one who practices self-denial of worldly things). Vardhamana attained enlightenment and took
the name Mahavira, which means "Great Hero," after engaging in rigorous fasting and
meditation for more than 12 years. Tradition holds that he founded a sizable Jain community that
included 36,000 nuns and 14,000 monks at the time of his passing.

There are thought to be about four million Jain followers worldwide today, with India home
to the majority of them. Several people around the world have been affected by Jainism's
teachings. Despite being a Hindu by birth, Mahatma Gandhi was inspired by the Jains' dedication
to utter nonviolence and adopted it into his struggle for Indian independence.
 San Beda University – Manila
638 Mendiola St, San Miguel, Manila Philippines

Prof. Dr. James Loreto C. Piscos – Art Appreciation

Eisegesis: Design a cognitive mapping showing how the core concepts can be applied be it
your personal life's journey, social or global issues like on gender issues, race or any form
of stressful situations where those concepts can best help address these realities.

This core concept aims to integrate the findings in inter-textual analysis with real-life
situations, emphasizing the practical application of core concepts in addressing various issues
such as gender, race, and stress. By designing a cognitive map that highlights the importance of
non-violence in achieving enlightenment, individuals can better understand how these concepts
can be applied to their personal journey towards self-improvement and societal change.
 San Beda University – Manila
638 Mendiola St, San Miguel, Manila Philippines

Prof. Dr. James Loreto C. Piscos – Art Appreciation

A stress-free and no violence environment helps me live happily and be myself, as I do in my

everyday life. No stress and problems can make my mind think critically and avoid overthinking
about things. (Drive, 2019) You may gradually create a stress-free environment by making a lot
of tiny adjustments. Structure plays a big role in reducing tension. Your home will be cleaner,
you'll get exercise, and you might feel a sense of success if you complete a series of
straightforward domestic tasks each day.

Additionally, practicing mindfulness and meditation can also help in reducing stress and
promoting a clear and focused mind. Taking breaks from technology and spending time in nature
can also be beneficial for mental clarity and reducing stress levels.

References

Sanjay, J. M. (2016) Social and Religious Conflict. Ahimsa (Nonviolence): the Life Force of
Jainism. ( Para. 1) https://mahb.stanford.edu/blog/ahimsa/

Stefon et al., 2015 Ahimsa. Ahimsa. https://www.britannica.com/topic/ahimsa

BBC, (2014) Jain Way of Life/ Vows. Dharma.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/jainism/beliefs/dharma.shtml

Gaur, (2023) Samsara. Samsara https://www.britannica.com/topic/samsara

BEE, (2010) Christianity. Peace Education EBook.

file:///C:/Users/Undajare/Downloads/Peace_Education_ebook_2010.pdf

Oxfam (2023) Non-Violence in Filipino Culture. Building Peace in Culture of Non-Violence.

https://philippines.oxfam.org/latest/blogs/building-peace-culture-nonviolence

National Geographic (2022) Jainism. Jainism. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/jainism/

 San Beda University – Manila
638 Mendiola St, San Miguel, Manila Philippines

Prof. Dr. James Loreto C. Piscos – Art Appreciation

Drive (2019) How to Create a Sress-Free Home Environment. https://www.stress.org/how-to-create-a-

stress-free-home-

environment#:~:text=By%20making%20many%20small%20changes,feel%20a%20sense%20of%20acco

mplishment.