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CONDUCT
C07- Jain Ethics and the Environment
C07- Jain Ethics and the Environment
01 Jain Ethics Jainism states that Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Vegetation, which constitute the five basic elements of our environment, possess life. They possess one sense, which is the sense of touch. Animals and human beings possess all five senses and a mind. The five senses are: touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. Human beings are also blessed with advanced developed thinking. Therefore, they are responsible for achieving oneness and harmony among all living beings, including the environment, through compassionate living and disciplined behavior. Lord Mahavir's entire life was full of compassion and was an example of how to live in perfect harmony with nature and provide utmost respect for the environment. Lord Mahävir made the following profound statements:
"All life is bound together by mutual support and interdependence." This is an ancient Jain scriptural
aphorism of Tattvärtha sutra. "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 the imbalance in the environment. These ancient statements form the basis of the modern science of ecology. The main theme of Lord Mahävir's teaching:
• 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 the other
because truth has many sides. 02 Three Cardinal Principles of Conduct Ahimsa (non-violence), Anekäntaväda (multiplicity of views) and Aparigraha (non-possession and nonpossessiveness) are the three cardinal principles of conduct in Jainism. Ahimsa (Compassion / Non-violence)
Ahimsa means caring for and sharing with all living beings as well as tending to protecting, and serving them. It entails universal friendliness (Maitri), universal forgiveness (Kshamä), and universal fearlessness (Abhay). The basic tenet of Jainism is "Ahimsa Parmo Dharmah". From an ethical point of view, Dharma means duty. Hence, the tenet indicates that compassion is the supreme duty of an individual. From a religious and philosophical point of view, Dharma means the true nature of a substance. Hence, compassion is the true nature of a human soul. In addition, the Jain dictum "Parasparopagraho Jivänäm" indicates, "Living beings (souls) render service to one another." Hence, the Jain motto is "Live and Help Others to Live." This is called Compassionate Living. Ahimsa is the principle that Jains teach and strive to practice not only towards human beings, but also towards all other living beings, including those in our environment. The scriptures tell us: "Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any living being including plants,
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Compendium of Jainism - 2015
