The Art of Pacifism; Monday, Second Period [01/20].

[sake_shinigami]

"Welcome back, my little ducklings ♥!" Shunsui already had the desks moved away from the center of the room, and was sitting there ready for them to settle into their circle. Mugs of hot cocoa, this time with slowly melting little mini-marshmallows, were already waiting for them as well. "Today, I wish to explore a little the concept of 'Do no harm,' which one could argue, and do so quite convincingly, is the very heart ♥ of the Art of Pacifism, and, more specifically, I'd like tospeak with you all about Mahavira ♥, the ancient reformer of the Jainism religion, which prescribes its followers to take the path of nonviolence toward all living beings ♥. He was born as Prince Vardhaman in a place called Kundgraam ♥. It is said that, even in the womb, he brought wealth and prosperity to his kingdom, like the abundant bloom of beautiful flowers in the springtime $hearts;. He did not let his status as a prince allow him to fall into the spoils of royalty and privilege, though, adopting practices of meditation and self-contemplation even at a young age ♥. Still, it took him until the age of thirty to renounce his kingdom, release himself of worldly possessions and went into life as an ascetic ♥. That was twelve years spent mostly in meditation and dedicating himself to not harming a single person, animal, or plant ♥. He gave up all possessions, including..." Please, forgive Shunsui the eyebrow waggle, "clothing ♥. He earned his name of Mahavira and spent the rest of his life preaching the things he'd learned on his spiritual journey ♥. He attained the state of Nirvana at the age of 72 and 4 months."

Which was a blink of an eye to Shunsui, really, but he didn't have any intention of giving up worldy possessions anytime soon.

( Except maybe clothing... )

"So it all comes down to that. Intention ♥. Even if one does not succeed in killing, if his intention was to kill, he is still a killer. If one pursues something in good faith, and there is still a death as a result, that person is absolved from being a killer as there was no true intent.

"One may claim, then, that a pacifism of the Jaina vein is a pacifist through the utmost awareness of his or her surroundings and actions ♥. They are constantly vigilant on what actions might cause violence in even the slightest ways, and strive to avoid them. But enough talk from me ♥. It is now your turn, ducklings ♥, what do you think? Is the Jaina concept of Ahimsa a realistic or reachable goal? In which ways would you say it succeeds or fails? No wrong answer, no strict order, just a discussion to consider all the variety of opinions that are sure to exist with such an ecclectic group ♥. Who wants to start ♥?"


[[ and the ocd is on the way up! Have at 'er! ]]