Environmental Doctrines of Jainism

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: S M Jain

Page 14

"As human beings are class specific, grow, have consciousness, feel and exhibit feelings of pain, take nutrition, die, perform metabolism and have emotions, so do the plants".
"हरियाणी भूताणि विलंबगाणि, आहार देहा य पुढो सियाई। feafaree Your Tapu faila 117/1/81"
- Sutrakritanga "Plant forms are also living beings because their bodies also grow like ours by nutrition and express suffering on being cut."
On the basis of equality and similarity if one comprehends and knows himself, he will know and comprehend others, the entire nature and all its constituents.
"जो एंग जाणइ. से सब्बे जाणई। U 10 UHS. VITE 113/4/7111
- Acharanga Sutra "Those who know one, know all and those who know all know one's own self."
"एको भावः सर्वथा येन दृष्टः। सवेभावा सर्वथातेन दृष्टाः ।। सवे भावा सर्वथा येन दृष्टाः । एको भावः सर्वथा तेन दृष्टाः ।।
- Syadvad Manjari "Those who know one substance completely, know all substance completely and those who know all substance completely know one substance also completely".
This illustrates the natural phenomenon of interdependence, mutuality, oneness and cohesion of all the myriad constituents of nature. Modern science has also endorsed it. The boot-strap principle of Dr. Geoffrey Chew rejects singularity or isolated capability. The manifested properties of any biological or physical unit are because of presence of and co-operation of others. David Bam has also authenticated the principle of undivided whole. Even genes in living organism manifest in response to environment by their on and off mechanism. Atoms and
even subatomic particles electrons, protons, neutrons, quarks also behave in response to the environment. Neither an electron nor any other object has any intrinsic properties independent of environment according to the Quantum Theory. Scientist Wheeler has conceptualized "Quantum Foam" in which every particle is connected with every other particle with a quantum interconnectedness. What scientists realized now was postulated long ago by Jain thinkers.
The principle and doctrine of equality as established and ordained in Jainism is fundamental for protection and preservation of environment. If all constituents of environment earth, water, air, fire, plants and all other living beings from smallest to highest are considered equal and with same concern as one's own self then none of these will be harmed, inflicted any injury and pain. Human beings will not encroach and exploit anyone beyond its capacity. There will not be destruction of any one. All will interact for mutual benefit. There will not be any degradation and pollution of any sort. This single doctrine of equality unique in Jainism, with its ramifications, if imbibed and practiced can alone ensure healthy and peaceful environment.