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convert,” or any such thing. Since animals can't speak a language humans can understand (though I think the screams and terrified moans that fill slaughterhouses should be pretty much universal) it's up to you to tell their stories and inform people of their sufferings. All animals deserve to be free from unnecessary pain, fear, and suffering at the hands of humans. Ahimsak: This lifestyle refers to one who is a vegan and also avoids eating even root vegetables that grow underground such as potatoes, onions, and carrots. Some Jains will avoid root vegetables because of a concern about not harming nigods (microorganisms). This practice is closest to the pure, Jain ahimsak way of life. In these three categories, we see the possible categories from vegetarian, to vegan, to pure ahimsak. Most Jains are vegetarians and observe a strict Jain diet. Some Jains, as noted, will avoid root vegetables. Additionally, they will not eat after sunset to avoid harm to very small organisms. However, most Jains are neither vegan nor pure ahimsak because they consume dairy products including milk, ghee, yoghurt, cheese, ice cream, sweets (made from milk) and other dairy products. In today's environment, consumption of these creates footprints of himsa to mobile, multi-sensed (five sensed) beings. In today's most common way of life for Jains, there is quite a concern for micro (sooksham) himsa but little deliberation or discussion about macro (sthool) himsa. Unfortunately, many Jains reject veganism as a recent, Western fad that has nothing to do with Jain Dharma or with Indian culture generally. This is a misunderstanding. The Hindi word for vegetarian is shaakaa-haari (the one who lives on a plantbased diet only and does not consume any product other than those coming from plants). Thus, veganism is neither new, nor a fad. It is an ancient concept. In fact, the very word "veganism” is derived from "veg-etari
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
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