Basic Principles Of Jainism

Author(s): Narayan Lal Kachhara
Publisher: Narayan Lal Kachhara

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engage himself in agricultural or horticultural operations by cultivation of lands; iv) vanijya or trade. A house-holder can follow such trade as does not involve intentional himsa. He cannot follow the trade of a butcher, wine-merchant etc. v) shilpa or sculpture. He can follow any industry for production of consumer goods. vi) vidya. He can follow the learned professions like literature, teaching, art etc. It is not possible to avoid himsa involved in carrying out the obligations of these occupations (udyami).
So far as the graharambhi himsa is concerned some kind of himsa is involved in carrying out the domestic duties and obligations. Himsa is involved in constructing a house, in the preparation of food, use of water in bathing, washing etc., keeping of cattle, maintenance of gardens and growing or using vegetables, digging of wells, cutting of crops and fruits. In short, whatever himsa is involved in the discharge of obligations necessary as a house-holder it is permissible as otherwise normal life becomes impossible.
Virodhi himsa is committed in self-defense or defense of person or property of members of the family or relatives and friends. One has to defend against thieves, robbers, dacoits or enemies in battle, Jainism does not preach cowardice. Defense of country is one of the obligations as a soldier in the army. The only restriction is that unnecessary himsa must not be indulged in as a matter of hostility or revenge.
In order to guard oneself against himsa, one must completely renounce wine, flesh, honey and the five udumbar fruits: that is fruits belonging to the fig variety or of the genus fichus in which tiny beings are born in numbers: gular, anjir (fig), banyan, peepal and pakar. In eating any of these kinds of fruits, not only is there himsa of innumerable tiny insects and invisible organisms but also of countless seeds with which such a fruit is full. Wine is the birth-place of many organisms, like the flesh which is secured by killing an animal or from a dead animal. Any destruction of life involves destruction of compassion too. Honey is to be avoided not only because its collection involves himsa but also because it contains a large number of tiny invisible eggs. Wine intoxicates the mind of the drinker and its preparation by fermentation involves inevitable himsa of jivas.
Those who are non-vegetarians often argue that since taking vegetables, fruits, milk and cereals also involves himsa there could be no objection to meat-eating. It should be remembered that taking vegetarian diet involves injury to one-sensed beings. There is no injury to mobile beings. It is from this practical need that Jaina authors have classified living being according to their grades with reference to sense organs and development. The argument ignores the fact that the body of an animal contains innumerable mobile and immobile beings. Microscopic examination will disclose the presence of a vast number of living organisms. In killing an animal or even in eating the flesh of a dead animal, one cannot escape from causing injury to a large number of vitalities. That is not so in eating vegetable food where himsa involved is the minimum and that too to beings of one sense which are immobile.
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