' Acaranga Sutra '...

"Nothing which breathes, which exists, which lives, or which has essence or potential of life, should be destroyed or ruled over, or subjugated, or harmed, or denied of its essence or potential.

In support of this Truth, I ask you a question -

"Is sorrow or pain desirable to you?"

If you say, "Yes it is", it would be a lie.

If you say, "No, It is not," you will be expressing the truth.

Just as sorrow or pain is not desirable to you, so it is to all which breathe, exist, live or have any essence of life.

To you and all, it is undesirable, and painful, and repugnant."



-Acaranga Sutra, Sutra 155-6
Jain Sutras
Part I, Sacred Books of the East, 1894, Vol. 22
Translated by Hermann Jacobi