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“For Jains, Ahimsa is the supreme principle, and yet we use dairy products such as milk, Ghee and sweet not only in our home but also in our temple rituals and religious (Swamivätslya and Pärnä) dinner. A cow is a five-sensed (Panchendriya) animal that also possesses mind. Cruelty to five-sensed animals is considered the highest sin as compared to the cruelty to vegetables and fewer sensed insects. As per our scriptures, a person is destined to suffer in the hell who hurts five-sensed animals. In this situation a person acquires following sinful karma: Narak Äyushya Karma (Future birth in Hell)— Panchendriya Vadha, Mahä-ärambha, Mahä-parigraha, and Raudra parinämathi Narak Ayushya Bandhaya chhe.'—Jain Darshan by Muni Shri Nyäya Vijayji Adattädäna Karma (Suffering karma due to stealing) - We are responsible for stealing the cows' milk without her permission Antaraya karma (Suffering karma due to forceful separation) -We are responsible for forcefully separating the mother and child.” According to the New York Times, there are now more than six million Americans ( just about equal to or more than the population of all the Jains in world) who are vegan, who do not use any animal products, including dairy products such as milk, cheese, ice-cream, butter, or wear leather shoes or silk garments. About ten to fifteen percent of Jain youth who attend the YJA and YJP conventions are also vegan. No Jain youth in America has denied the cruelty that exists in the American dairy industry, or, in fact in dairy industries all around the world. However, there is still a significant resistance among the Jain adult population in America, India and the other countries. The only argument they provide that we do not kill the cow during milking operation. For meat production, the cows are killed immediately. For milk production, the cows are tortured for four years and
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An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide