________________
Use of silk sarees, kurtas, jacket, ties, and dhotees should be avoided. Cotton and other man made materials are much better for that purpose. The following accounts demonstrate examples of personal choice in promoting ahimsa. O Personally, I have taken a vow not to use silk in any shape or
form. I avoid all suiting, shirts, neck ties, scarves, draperies or any such products that even have a small quantity of silk in them. Please try it. It is such a great feeling. In the same fashion, I will not buy, trade in, accept or present any item to any one that contains silk. O About twenty four years ago, I went to attend a Diksha
ceremony of a Jain sadhvi (nun) in India. After the ceremony, I had a chance to speak for a few minutes to a very good size gathering of men and women. Here I mentioned, “The girl who just became a sadhvi has renounced everything. We all have come to attend this solemn ceremony. What are we going to renounce?” I reminded my audience about silk and the inherent himsa in its production. Immediately quite a good number of people (both male and female) stood up and took a vow not to trade in, buy, or wear silk any more. I was so pleased. I feel, one simple but important awareness about ahimsa in our clothing will lead to many other such awareness in other
items of our daily use or business. O In November 2009, I was in India and visited a small town
in Western UP. I came to know that in the Jain sthanak there next day, the group of Jain sadhus will end their 4 months Chaturmas and the community has organized a big function to thank and bid the sadhus farewell. I too attended this
function. At the end, I was requested to address the gathering. Here again, I asked the audience that after the pravachans and tapasyas during 4 months and paryushan, what offerings the
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
159
