Five Fundamentals of Jainism

From the perspective of Jainism, we hereby lay down the five

fundamental principles of jainism that actually means the five step-by-

step to live this human life in such a way that we experience the state

of peace and bliss within.

1. Non-violence (Ahimsa)

The first fundamental way of living is non-violence as Lord Mahavira

said, “Ahimsa Paramo Dharma”. The all-inclusive aspect of non-

violence depicts three essential ethics in day to day living, namely

1. Non-hurting — This is the grossest form of non-

violence explaining no physical hurt towards any form of

life, knowingly or unknowingly. Being a human is the

most valuable life as it has the power to save others from

hurt. So, Ahimsa, in its grossest forms indicates not

causing physical hurt, damage or injury to anyone.

2. Non-harming — This is the subtler form of Ahimsa

expressing no intention of harming others, knowingly or

unknowingly. A human, in the state of ahimsa (violence)

tends to think negative for the others who are different

from their one way of living and thinking. So, non-

violence at subtler level means not harnessing the feelings

of harm and vandalism towards any life form.

3. Non-hating — The subtlest form of non-violence is not

to stay in the state of hatred towards any person-place-

thing. We continually nurture the state of mind that is full

of hatred and enmity towards the people, things and

situations around, even knowing that we can’t change

much about them. This hostile feeling of hatred actually

causes unrest and disharmony amongst our own self. So,

the subtlest form of non-violence is not to hate any form

of life and live in accord to whatever life brings to us. This

 doesn’t mean withdrawing ourselves from any self effort

but it emphasise on dropping hatred from any effort.

2. Truthfulness (Satya)

This aspect of Jainism is one of the most wrongly interpreted. We keep

on telling the younger generations to speak truth as the fundamental

aspect of Jainism. But, to speak truth is something we all learn in our

moral class in grade 2 or 3! Lord Mahavira cannot list something of

that grade as one of the 5 ‘Mahavrat’. There has to be something more

to it. And so, at SRM we believe in this fundamental principle as to

“choose right.” We have to discipline this human mind in such a way

that whatever situation comes in life we must choose right action and

right reaction. Thus, the fundamental principle of truthfulness states:

1. To choose right, between right and wrong

2. To choose eternal, between temporary and permanent