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Ultimate Ahimsa or non-violence in Jainism : The manifestations of this concern for life are legion among Jains. No furs, plumes or silk are worn. Leather is kept to a minimum and must in any event be from naturally dead animals. Food is eaten during the day, since there is too much danger of injuring insects in cooking at night. The Jain will not use an open light nor leave a container of liquid uncovered lest a stray insect be destroyed; even with this precaution, liquids are always strained before use. Monks and often some lay members will wear a cloth over their mouths to avoid accidental injury to insect life, and for the same reason a soft broom is used to sweep the path in front of one?s feet. Nor will a Jain step on any plant if it can be avoided. Foot travel is severely curtailed during the rainy season, following Mahavira?s example, because of the increased insect population during those four months. The preoccupation with ahems is further exemplified by a Jain hospital for stray or disabled birds in Delhi and a rest house for old or diseased animals in Mumbai. In these and other sanctuaries, creatures are kept and fed until they die a natural death.
These some of the ways in which Jains have sought to apply in their daily lives Mahavira?s appeal not to interfere in the lives of others. However, we cannot simply conclude that ahems only prohibited physical violence. Jain texts says: "With the three means of punishment ? thoughts, words, deeds ? ye shall not injure living beings." Lying is defined by the Jain, for example, as speaking hurtful words. And non-injury must also be referred to oneself. Passions and desires cause self-injury, and proper practice of ahems includes not maiming oneself in overly extreme asceticism. Jainism?s all-encompassing ethical principle can be summarized as follows: Do your duty, and do it as humanely as you can - not just toward other Jains nor even all humankind, but toward the entire world.
Jainism takes this concept of Ahimsa to intellectual level by propagating the principle of Anekantavada . Jainism holds that truth is Miltie-facted and no one philosophy can stake claim over the truth. Jainism holds that other philosophies other than Jainism are right in their own right way and it is possible to attain heavens and even salvation by members of other religions. As such Jainism does not have concept of Kafirs, pagans, heretics or nastikas. To understand the inclusive and relativistic approach of Jainism, check out the following link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anekantavada
But why this emphasis on Ahimsa. It is not because of some commandment of GOD. Jainism is the only religion (Buddhism to some extent) that does not invoke the fear of God as a reason for moral behavior. It is because moral behavior is in harmony with the natural laws of this universe. Jainism can be considered a kind of system of laws, but natural rather than simply moral laws. In Jainism, actions that carry moral significance are considered to cause certain consequences in just the same way as, for instance, physical actions that do not carry any special moral significance. When one holds an apple in one's hand and then lets go of the apple, the apple will fall: this is only natural. There is no judge, and no moral judgment involved, since this is a mechanical consequence of the physical action.
According to Jainism, consequences occur when one does something that is harmful. Rather than assume that moral rewards and retribution are the work of a divine judge, the Jains believe that there is an innate moral order to the cosmos, self-regulating through the workings of karma. Morality and ethics are important not because of a god, but because a life that is led in agreement with moral and ethical principles is considered beneficial; it leads to a decrease and finally to the total loss of karma, which in turns leads to ever increasing happiness. People like Mahavira have followed the path themselves and achieved liberation and salvation, and have shown the path to others.
To understand the concept of Ahimsa follow this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa_in_Jainism
To understand more about Jain Philosophy check the following link ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jain_philosophy
I hope this answers your question
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The concept of ?ahimsa? or_______ in Jainism is expressed in ?
