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Recently I was told by a senior executive in India that when large corporations prepare proposals and bid on multibillion dollar design and construction projects, (for example for fertilizer, cement, chemical, and refinery plants), they normally factorin about fifteen percent extra cost for industrial accidents, injuries, death, litigation, and compensation. But the same people will they hardly spend a dime to look at the reasons and occurrences of accidents, how to mitigate them, or adopt safer design practices to begin with. They are contented in paying the compensation but not in creating safer working environments. What a callousness and disregard for himsa!.
Now you decide, is this behavior consistent with ahimsa?
DESTRUCTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT (PARYAAVARAN), A SIN AGAINST HUMANITY— ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY, POLLUTION, HIMSA & THE JAIN COMMUNITY
All living things are connected in nature, dependent on each other for continued survival. For each of us, life includes birth, reproduction and death - with each group of living organisms having its own unique life cycle. Some living things have a short life span. While several other species have life cycles lasting hundreds of years. In order to survive and grow, all organisms need to adapt to their habitat, have their basic needs met and overcome many obstacles. If environment changes occur more quickly than some organisms can adjust, such as sudden changes in climate, the survival and reproduction of certain living things may be impacted.
These days the survival of the planet, and in fact of the entire human and non-human race, depends on the planet we live on (Jains call it Jambu Dweep). There is much discussion about greenhouse gases, ozone layer, shortage of water, the warming up of the environment, pollution, and ecology. As a result a new movement called environmentalism is in vogue. We Jains rightly believe that several thousand years ago, we talked, preached, practiced, and developed the whole concept
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
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