Vratya Darshan

SR No.: 003131
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mangalpragyashreeji Samni
Publisher: Adarsh Sahitya Sangh
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 262
Language: Sanskrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Philosophy
File Size: 10 MB

Page 242

the environment, on the other some wise people talk about saving it, but the central effort is to save human community only. How could human community be saved alone? If we want to save this precious' species we have to save everything, protect every thing. A historian Lynn white (1967) observed 'what people do about their ecology depends on what they think about themselves in relation to things around them. Human ecology is deeply conditioned by beliefs about our nature and destiny, that is, by religion.' This infact seems to be very much true.
Jainism is ecology. The central theme of Jainism in non-violence. Non-violence does not only mean that one must not kill a living being, it also means that one should not create an atmosphere of violence, one must not create an environment in which animate beings perish, and must not create a situation which would disturb the inanimate order. Non-violence relates to both the sentient and the non-sentient. The doctrine of non-violence is not limited to the non-killing alone. According to Jain principles soul and matter influence each other. The material environment is conditioned by living beings and living beings are conditioned by environment. Let us consider non-violence in the context of these factors.
The doctrine of non-violence asserts that nothing can exist by itself. All our energy and power are produced by matter and these come to us through environment. If the environment is polluted, it will have a direct effect on the energy which we imbibe from nature that in turn will affect our actions, and our actions will affect our soul. A non-violent person who recognises this truth (viz. that all life owes its existence to matter) can not abuse environment. A study of ecology is in fact a study of Jainism. Jainism has given the education to the human community to restrain from all forms of violence. Non-violence or not injuring to all the living beings such as insects, animals, plants, even micro-organisms living in water or soil is the foundation of Jainism. It further suggests restraint in possession or non-interference with all kinds of non living things. Thus, a code of maximum restraint in relation to interference with the environment is the basis of this religion and that infact is envisaged in protection of ecology. Any harm or disturbance done to
व्रात्य दर्शन - २२३