$JES 901 Jainism and Spiritual Awakening E9

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 91

15 - JAIN WAY OF LIFE AND ETHICAL LIVING AND ENVIRONMENT
"One who neglects or disregards the existence of earth, air, fire, water and vegetation, disregards his own existence." "We harm and kill other lives because of our greed and
possessiveness." Since all lives are interconnected, one should realize that, "if we harm ONE, we harm ALL living beings" and "greed, possession and possessiveness are the primary causes of all violence as well as imbalance in the environment."
These ancient statements form the basis of the modern science of ecology and are refreshingly contemporary in their premise.
Main Theme of Lord Mahävir's Preaching: • Ahimsa (Non-violence) is respect for the life of all living
beings.
Aparigraha (Non-possession / Non-possessiveness) stems from respect for other lives as well as environment.
Anekäntaväda (Non-one-sidedness / Open Mindedness) is respect for the views of others because Truth has many sides.
B. Survival of Life vs. Ethical Living It is not possible to sustain human life with absolute non-violence and absolute non-possession. To live a life, one needs to eat organic food, which is a life by itself. Also, one needs minimal clothes and shelter. Hence, the destruction of one or the other form of life and limited possession are essential for human survival. The goal of Jainism is to minimize the negative impact of our existence to other living beings and environment.
Jainism states that: A living being may possess one to five senses, which are Touch, Taste, Smell, Sight, and Hearing. Also, a living being with all five senses such as humans, animals, and birds also possess mind.
The human mind is more significantly developed than other five sensed animals, and thus, only human beings have the capacity to do meditation, and ultimately attain liberation.
90
JAINISM AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING