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Introduction : 5 Lord Mahāvīra nor disregard for Kapila and other saints and thinkers, whatsoever is rational and logical ought to be accepted". Problem of the Preservation of Ecological Equilibrium
The most crucial problem the world is facing today is of ecological imbalance. Only a half century back we could not even think of it. But today everyone is convinced with the fact that ecological misbalance is directly related to the very survival of human race. It indicates lack of equilibrium or misbalance of nature and pollution of air, water, etc. The hole in ozone layer has become a matter of great concern for the scientists. It is not only concerned with the human beings and their environment, but animal life and plant-life as well.
Jainism presents various solutions of this ecological problem through its theory of non-violence. Jains hold that not only human and animal being but earth, water, air, fire and vegetable kingdom are also sentient and living beings. For Jains to pollute, to disturb, to hurt and to destroy them is to commit violence against them, which is a sinful'act. Every religious activity Jains starts with seeking forgiveness and repentance for disturbing or hurting earth, water, air and vegetation. Jainācāryas had made various restrictions of the use of water, air and green vegetables, not only for ascetics but lay followers also. The similarity between plant-life and human life is beautifully depicted in Ācārānga-sūtra. As per rules Jaina householders are not allowed to run such type of large scale industry, which pollutes air and water and leads to violence to the plants and animal kingdom. Thus, the Jains put more emphasis on ecological equilibrium and suggest various means to maintain the same.
These are some major problems which have torn the whole social fabric. If the non-violence, non-posession and non-absolutism is properly translated in action by the people of society, the above mentioned problems can be solved easily. Today, the Jaina community has been spread throughout the world. In earlier times Jains were limited to India only. Unlike Buddhism,