Jainism in a Global Perspective - Collection of Jain papers of 1993 Parliament of World Religions, Chicago

SR No.: 014010
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain, Shreeprakash Pandey
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 402
Language: English
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 23 MB

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Jainism in a Global Perspective
everyday life. We live in a society where people take pride in saying that they do not believe in religion. Indeed, it's become fashionable to say that religion has no place in modern society. People talk about nature and the environment and about truth and values from different angles but they tend to disregard the teachings of religion. It would appear that this lateral thinking and our belief that religion has no part in modern life has many pitfalls.
What can religion contribute to modern life? Can Jainism provide solutions to everyday problems? And is there a connection between true freedom, nature and Jainism? If Jainism is more than about ourselves, how could it help to find a solution to our common problems : the loss of the worlds' rainforests, rising populations, pollution and acid rain?
It may seem impossible that religion could provide answers which are more commonly seen as the domain of politicians. But if we look more closely we see that Jainism is about the interplay between nature and ourselves. Jainism cannot be separated from the environment. In essence, it is inextricably intertwined with nature. Jainism recognises that we are all naturally connected and inter-dependent. Globally, over forty million people die each year from starvation and hunger related diseases. Animals reared for meat consume forty per cent of the world's grain - food which could be used more efficiently for feeding people. There is no doubt that a diet without meat, high in grains, pulses, vegetables and fruit could feed the world population. It's not surprising therefore if Jainism says that we should take the natural path by abstaining from meat.
The balance between nature (our own automatic behaviour pattern) and the environment is perfect harmony. This is precisely what Eastern philosophy seeks to attain.
A noted Jaina scripture called Tattvārtha Sūtra maintains that all species including trees are interdependent and owe their lives to each other -- parasparopagraho jīvānām.? The message is not merely to live but to help others to live so that we can live. One of the basic laws of nature is that nothing disappears when it's thrown away. In Britain, over twenty three million tonnes of household and commercial waste is thrown away. If we all had basic necessities, and learnt to respect what we have, instead of