Ahimsa the Ultimate Winner

SR No.: 001630
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N P Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy
Publication Year: 2004
Total Pages: 298
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Ahimsa
File Size: 18 MB

Page 130

He does to himself'
Jain concept of vegetarianism includes drinking boiled water. During fasting it is laid down as a must. When water is boiled it kills all bacteria or minute invisible beings in the water as well as polluting substances. In a sense this may be violence in itself, but in the non-boiled water countless minute beings are continuously born. Once boiled, water ceases to multiple bacteria and remains pure for a whole day.
Likewise Jain religion forbids eating after sunset because during darkness, number of invisible insects increase and may be accidentally consumed while eating at night.
Acharya Samant Bhadra has advocated giving up at night consumption of solid food (Ashan), liquid food (Pan), dry fruits (Khadim) and food taken entirely for taste (like betel levels) Root vegetables, vegetables with multiple seeds, alcoholic drinks, ice, old pickles are also forbidden as their consumption implies destruction of living elements which can be avoided.
THE EMOTIONAL AND ETHICAL PERSPECTIVE
It is believed in Jain and Hindu faiths that birth as human being is at the top of the birth-death life cycle and is earned by good deeds in earlier life as an animal or any other living being. Having secured this honour, human beings who are far superior to other living species in terms of ingenuity, intellect, feeling, rationality, perspective and expression ability, have morally and ethically no right to destroy life of other living beings. They can judiciously satisfy their appetite through an equally nourishing and in Jain experience more sober and yet delicious vegetarian diet of immense variety and freshness.
Human beings detest with revulsion at the very thought of eating human flesh. Cannibals are regarded barbaric and inhuman.
Ahimsa: The Ultimate Winner
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