Environmental Doctrines of Jainism

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

Page 20

"Fire (energy) itself is life-form, extinguishing it is killing it and generating fire is killing innumerable life-forms (insects etc.). So wise do not generate fire and extinguish it themselves or by others or even acquiesce the act". The subsequent stanzas 1/5/113 and 1/6/139. the same is ordained for plant forms and other life forms.
It is unfortunate that performing havans (burning useful things in fire) is considered as an essential religions practice and is gaining popularity even in Jains in religious rituals in temples. Lighting and using fire for cooking food is necessary and that too should be done carefully examining the wood (only naturally deed wood) and other material such that it is not infested by insects etc. But burning butter, edible and other useful things without any necessity as a religious practice has no justification. A large section of society is suffering from malnutrition, do not get butter and other edibles and to bum such things is sinful. Such practitioners claim that havans induce rains, ward off epidemics etc. is wrong. 'Havans' are being performed for several millennia, yet there have been and there are recurring frequent famines, droughts, epidemics etc. in the country. The claim that it purifies air is also wrong. There is good odour because some sweet smelling aromatic material is burnt and it vanishes after some time. It is a conclusive scientific fact that anything burnt even perfumes produce CO2. In performing "Havan' there is only addition of CO2 in atmosphere, resulting in green house effect of more and more intensity. Havans are unscientific, fallacious and superstitious.
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- Purusharth Siddhyupaya "The Jain Doctrine of Non-violence prohibits violence in religions rituals (such as havans burning things in fire). 'Aaratis' (lighting small or big lamps while reciting praise of deity), performing animal sacrifice, using elephants, camels, bullocks, horses etc. in procession when small creatures are killed underneath, dancing when one cannot be careful in not hurting small creatures etc.)"
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- Purusharth Siddhyupaya "Vow of non-violence does not permit violence even for entertaining guests and teachers (guru)"
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- Purusharth Siddhyupaya "Under the vow of non-violence even killer camivores lions, tigers, wolves, jackal etc.) should also not be killed".
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- Purusharth Siddhyupaya "Giving un-necessary, purposeless advice and implements for various activities involving violence such as business, agriculture etc. is also prohibited under the vow of non-violence.
"तंज जहा- इंगालकम्मे, वणकम्मे, साडी कम्मे, भाडीकम्मे, फोड़ी कम्मे, दंतवाणिज्जे, लक्खवाणिज्जे, केसवाणिज्जे, रसवाणिज्जे, विसवाणिज्जे, जंतपीलण कम्मे, पिल्लंछणकम्मे, caifecrauit, 6-erTTORIT, 3RTURGUT 118/411
- Bhagavati Sutra The Doctrine of Non-violence prohibits occupations, professions and business which involves violence to various forms of living beings and which are harmful for environment. These are making charcoal, cutting trees, transport, charging transport fees, digging earth (mining etc.), trading in animal products (bones, skins, nails, teeth of various animals), shellac, wool, alcohol, toxins (poison), factories, mutilation of animals (castration etc.), burning residue in fields, drying tanks for agriculture".