Arhat Vachan 2001 04

SR No.: 526550
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Anupam Jain
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 120
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Arhat Vachan, & India
File Size: 14 MB

Page 70

bird clinics and cow protection centres. In all Jaina pilgrimage centres on hillocks, afforestation work is being constantly pursued. Such social upliftment programmes need to be taken up at grass roots levels in rural and urban areas to cater to the basic needs of people. Peace cannot be build up on empty stomach, ailing bodies or stressed minds.
(4) At Peace with Nature
Conflict transformation would acquire firmer roots also when humanity looks at nature with respectful and friendly eyes. In this task all faiths have an important role to play.
Instead of indiscriminate plundering of nature's resource base, humankind should take to the path of farsighted conservation and judicious exploitation.
Jaina ethics regards abuse or waste of any part of nature as a kind of theft as it deprives life of its inherent autonomy and independence. Jaina scriptures put a lot of emphasis on it :
Take from the earth only what you need; the Mother Earth will then be able to
serve and support life longer.
After oil, water threatens to emerge as a crisis commodity in the 21st century creating more and more inter-state or inter-country conflicts and irritants. There is a lot of water in oceans and rivers and yet there are grave shortages of drinking water, water for other uses and hydro-electric power. And yet around 75% water of rivers flows down to the sea unused. Waterbased development projects need priority handling in an atmosphere not of confrontation, hostility and confusion, but of cooperation, harmony and clarity.
Our religious and spiritual leaders have brought to the Summit waters of holy rivers. Let this not become a mere tokenism. Let this arouse awareness in the world for taking both preventive and curative measurs to protect our rivers, to regulate them, to conserve their water and use it for the benefit of the mankind.
Worshipping our rivers is part of our religion, but steps are required to maintain water quality and protect rivers from pollusion, to protect the people from flood damages, and to harness river water for hydropower in order to meet growing need for power. Development goals are compitable with spiritual perceptions, as well as with environmental considerations. Pro-development approach alone would eliminate hostility and friction.
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Arhat Vacana, April 2001