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Relevance of Jaina Sadhanā : 83
or a tank for bathing. Not only this, there are restrictions, for monks, on crossing the river while on their way to tours. These rules are prevalent and observed even today. The Jaina monks and nuns are allowed to drink only boiled water or lifeless water. They can eat only ripe fruits, if their seeds taken out. Not only monks, but in Jaina community some house-holders are also observing these rules. Monks and nuns of some of the Jaina sects, place a piece of cloth on their mouths to check the pollu- tion of air. Jaina monks are not allowed to pluck even a leaf or a flower from a tree. Not only this, while walking they always remain conscious that no insect or greenery is trampled under their feet. They use very very soft brushes made of threads to avoid the violence of smallest living beings. In short, Jaina monks and nuns are over conscious about the pollution of air, water, etc.
So far as Jaina house-holders are concerned they take such vows as to use a limited and little quantity of water and vegetables for their daily use. For a Jaina, water is more precious than ghee or butter. To cut forest or to dry the tanks or ponds is considered very serious offence for an house-holder. As per rule Jaina house-holders are not permitted to run such type of large scale industries which pollute air and water and lead to the violence of plant-life and animal-kingdom. The industries which produce smoke in large quantity are also prohibited by Jainācāryas. The types of these industries are termed as 'mahārambha' meaning greatest sin and larger violence. It is considered as one of the causes for hellish life, thus Jainas take into consideration not only the violence of small creatures but even earth, water, air, etc. also. The fifteen types of industries and business prohibited for the house-holder are mainly concerned with ecological disbalance, pollution of environment and violence of living beings. Though Jainācāryas permitted agri
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