$JES 921 Book of Compassion Reverence For All Life Reference Book

Author(s): Pramoda Chitrabhanu, Pravin K Shah
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 15

1.- MY VISIT TO A DAIRY FARM
However, following is the summary of my health data before and after I became vegan:
Before
After
Current becoming becoming 2016 Data
Vegan – 1995 Vegan – 1997 Cholesterol
205
160
157 HDL
34
42
46 Triglyceride L 350
175
158
Since becoming a vegan, I feel more energetic. I do not have any calcium deficiency. However, one should monitor his/her own body chemistry after becoming vegan. My doctor is very pleased with my results and has not put me on any vitamins or calcium substitutes. My 1998 health result was equally good.
Jain Religious View: Nonviolence is the highest principle of Jain religion. However, for our survival the religion permits certain violence by lay people. Jain scriptures clearly indicate that:
For our survival, the survival of our ascetics, and the survival of our scriptures, temples, libraries, and Upäshrays; limited violence to one sensed (Ekendriya) souls such as vegetables, water, fire, earth, and air are allowed only by Jain lay people (shrävaks and Shrävikäs). Under no circumstances violence to two to five sensed (Trasa) living beings such as animals, birds, insects, and humans are allowed even by the lay people.
Ascetics should be totally nonviolent to all souls including the souls of vegetables, water, fire, air, and earth.
A cow is a five-sensed (Panchendriya) animal that also possesses mind. Cruelty to five-sensed animals is considered the highest sin in the Jain scriptures.
In today's high-tech environment, the beef cows are killed instantly in the production of meat. However, during milk production the dairy cows are not killed instantly but they are tortured badly during the prime of their life, their babies (all but one female calf) are tortured for six months and then slaughtered. Ultimately, they are slaughtered in 5 years, well before the end of their natural life of 20
THE BOOK OF COMPASSION
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