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on for decades in India's courts about ownership of religious places and properties. Recently, one prominent Jain leader in India told me that it is easier to work and collaborate with Muslims or Christians than with those from another sect of Jainism.
Recently one Jain scholar told me that he made a request to a shwetambar Jain sangh to deliver a talk on Jain Karma theory but his request was turned down initially because the speaker was from the different tradition of Jainism.
If we behave like this, how can we even claim that we Jains are followers of ahimsa and anekantavaad? If we are ahimask, then we must take steps without delay to resolve these issues outside the courts and within the spirit of ahimsa. We must have our talk and walk as one. Pure sermons won't do. Unfortunately the show goes on. It is pathetic.
Now you decide: is this behavior consistent with ahimsa?
ANIMAL SHELTERS RUN BY JAINS
As a matter of compassion, Jains in India have opened many animal shelters called Panjrapoles, not only for cows but also for other animals. This is a very noble and laudable act. Many Jiv Daya committees and Jain organizations raise funds just for that purpose, especially during Paryushana Parvas and festivals. I know many Jains in North America who send their donations to India to aid this particular cause. Some Jains in India as well as in North America provide bird feed regularly to pigeons and other birds. Recently I went to a town in Haryana (India) where pigeons and other birds are fed daily by Jains. Several years ago, I was visiting with Dr. Michael Tobias, a vegan, environmentalist, practitioner of Ahimsa and producer of one-hour video "AHIMSA, Story of Jainism," and at his home, every day he provides bird feed in his backyard in Los Angeles. Thousands of birds come and feast. It makes sense that those of us concerned with the welfare of all creatures would help care for small birds.
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An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
