Prof. Gary Francione, Distinguished Professor of Law and Philosophy at Rutgers University, New Jersey has written this short but very timely essay titled:
“The Birth of the Spiritual Leader Who Gave us Ahimsa”
He talks about the ancient religions of India with Jainism being the oldest. He explains who is a Tirthankara or a Jina.
He goes on to talk about how mahavir promoted the social justice. How he recognised souls in forms other than humans and was the first ecologist.
He explains how the concept of Ahimsa both by thought, speech and action came about and Anekantvaad along with Aparigraha.
He ends the article with a quotation from Acharang Sutra:
“All breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away.”