The Buddha is the Greatest Exponent of Non-Violence
The Buddha, when He converted a non-Buddhist, got the convert to promise five things, These five promises are called ' Panca Sila ' (The Five Precepts). The first promise of these five is that ' I promise not to kill any living being. ' This indicates that the primary quality a Buddhist should possess is non-violence. The Buddha denounced all f
orms of violence. The Buddha asked loving-kindness to be extended not only to men, but even to all animals. All dread death. Therefore, since one is frightened of punishment and death, taking one's own self as the example, refrain from killing others. You must not destroy. All love life. Only the Buddha and Mahavira showed kindness to animals. Other religious leaders did not. Those other religious leaders encouraged the killing and eating of animals. In consequence, those other religious teachers will not receive the respect of animals. Mahavira went beyond the extremes of non-violence. His main Doctrine is non-violence. He thought even water had life. He considers the sailing of ships and canoes suppressing water, as a sin. Since minor insects get killed when we breathe in and breathe out, he suggested that we should cover our nose and mouth with a piece of cloth. He does not even approve of ' tikotiparisuddha mamsa ' (flesh that is harmless in three ways) which has been allowed by the Budhha. As a result of this, no follower of Jainism take meat or fish. Due to this extreme non-violence, Jainism became a difficult religion to practise. Jainism never spread outside India. Since insects get killed even in the cultivation process, the Jains do not indulge in any other industries or crafts, than trade.
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based on
"The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived - The Supreme Buddha"
by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
