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TULSI-PRAJNĀ.
destroy them means commit the violence against them, which is a sinful act. Thus their firm belief in doctrine that earth, water, air, fire and vegetable paved a way for the protection of ecological balance. Their every religious activity starts with seeking forgiveness and repentance for disturbing or hurting earth, water, air and vegetation.
Jain-ācāryas had made various restrictions on the use of water, air and green vegetables, not only for monks and nuns but for laities also. Jainas have laid more emphasis on the protection of wild-life and plants. According to them hunting is one of the seven serious offences or vices. It is prohibited for every Jaina whether a monk or a laity. Prohibitions for hunting and meat-eating are the fundamental conditions for being a Jaina. The similarity between plant-life and human life is beautifully explained in Ācārāñgasūtra. To hurt the plant life is as sinful act to hurt human life. In Jainism monks are not allowed to eat raw-vegetables and to drink un-boiled water. They cannot enter the river or a tank for bathing. Not only this, there are restricticns, 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 peace of cloth on their mouths to check the pollution 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 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
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| SR No. | 524578 |
| Book Title | Tulsi Prajna 1994 01 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Parmeshwar Solanki |
| Publisher | Jain Vishva Bharati |
| Publication Year | 1994 |
| Total Pages | 186 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Classification | Magazine, India_Tulsi Prajna, & India |
| File Size | 8 MB |