________________
MOUTH
(BETAL-NUT)
By now, a paan-loving vegetarian may have eaten the equivalent of many miles of oxen intestines in the form of silver varak on the paan! For them, here is another piece of bad news - the chuna that they apply on paan is not vegetarian. Chuna is made from the shells of living insects. These insects are taken from the ocean, killed, and removed from the shell. Then the shells are softened in water, dried, and ground into white powder. When you put this chuna in your mouth, you are participating in the killing of many insects. This is no different from taking life of a goat or a pig. Every being wants to live; no one likes the pain of death.
Now you decide: is this behavior consistent with ahimsa?
But consistent and constant observance of ahimsa in what we eat and wear is not the end of the matter. It is just the beginning. There are many other types of himsa about which we must be concerned.
FRESHENER-THE
USE OF PAAN
ALCOHLIC DRINKS & AHIMSA
In addition to water, Jains also enjoy many other drinks either for health, taste, and refreshment. These may include many fruit juices, thandai (made from almonds), lemon water, milk, and lassi and chhachh (both derivatives of milk). Except for the milk-based drinks for reasons stated earlier, other drinks are okay. However, Jains must use precautions to make sure that some of the ingredients, preservatives, and food coloring in beverages are not animal or insect based. There are quite a few drinks in the market that Jains should avoid.
The use of alcohol, wine, liquor, and other intoxicating drinks, as well as drinks and edible products based on honey, are prohibited in the Jain community but lately their use and consumption not only in gatherings and parties but also at home is significantly increasing. I am aware of many homes,
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
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