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furnishings, cosmetics, decorations, or in medicines. They have generally avoided professions and businesses in which any kind of known himsa to humans or non-humans are involved, despite the potential for profit or personal gain. They shun entertainments that involved the use or torture of animals. Because of this boundary, Jains have avoided professions such as agriculture, trading in leather, meat and meat related businesses and investments, the hotel industry (where serving meat and non-vegetarian products may be necessary), or several pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries that require use of animal based ingredients or testing on animals. The “Three As” of Jains, Ahimsa, Anekant (non-absolutism), and Aprigraha (limiting possessions), guide the lifestyle of Jains. Not only are Jains vegetarians, but many Jains will not eat root vegetables (to avoid killing the entire plant) and not eat after sunset to avoid harm to many small insects during the night. As traders and businessmen, Jains have generally observed the highest standards of ethics, honesty, and morality. In many cases, their verbal agreements were more solid and genuine than written agreements used at the time. They preserved and protected the environment and stayed away from businesses where deforestation, burning and polluting the earth, air, and water were involved. Jains hardly ever started wars, but many times they were the first to enlist in the military to defend their country, its honor, and culture. Frequently, Jains and Jain monks permanently changed the minds and behaviors of rulers and military generals and encouraged movement from war and fighting to peace and ahimsa. Even the 15th century Muslim emperor Akbar issued royal proclamations to ban animal slaughter during the Jain holy days, based on his relationship with local Jains and monks and their influence on him. When 17th century emperor Shah Jahan was building his famous Red Fort in Delhi, he allotted a piece of land next door for use by Jains only to build their temple (called Lal Mandir) because all the Muslim emperors knew Jains as trustworthy and peace loving
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
| SR No. | 007754 |
| Book Title | Ahimsa Crisis You Decide |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Sulekh C Jain |
| Publisher | Prakrit Bharti Academy |
| Publication Year | 2016 |
| Total Pages | 328 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English, D000, & D005 |
| File Size | 6 MB |