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area where the Jain muni is going to sit (to make sure that no insects will be hurt or crushed). The pichchhi is made of peacock feathers. The feathers should be shed naturally by the peacocks, then collected and finally used for making pichchhi. As we can see, this is a product of complete non-violence. As times have changed, several factors have come into play: a) The number of Jain munis has grown and hence the need
for more pichchhis. b) Due to deforestation, urbanization, and hunting, the
number of peacocks and hence the availability of naturally
shed feathers has gone down significantly. c) Because they are used not only for pichchhis but also for
many other tourist, commercial and home furnishing items, the production of peacock feathers via peacock factory
farming has become a major organized industry. d) A new tradition has recently developed within the Jain
community. This is to exchange the pichcchi (pichcchi parivartan samroh) annually with very elaborate ceremonies and functions, thus creating the need for more pichchhis
every year. e) To meet the demand for peacock feathers, just like factory
farming for milk, eggs, honey, silk, and wool, peacock
feather factory farming has begun. f) When we procure pichchhis, how do we and hwo many
of us in all honesty and reality make sure that the peacock feathers are natural shed and without any cruelty to the
peacock? All of this has led to the torture of peacocks where they are captured forcibly and very cruelly stripped of their feathers to the extent that some succumb and the poor birds die. Because of this, pichchhi definitely has footprints of himsa and this cannot be denied. If any one doubts, I urge the Jains to personally go and see how the peacock feathers are procured and picchhis are made. There is nothing like seeing with one's own eyes.
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
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