Environmental Doctrines of Jainism

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

Page 22

DOCTRINE OF TRUTH
filtered is an essential major component of the bodies of living beings and life in water form itself and other living beings in water will not be affected and hurt in normal process of drinking water. In bigger life forms also they will not be hurt if harnessed within their carrying capacities for example if any domestic animal or an assistant is paid, fed and cared properly and not burdened with load or work beyond its capacity, then no harm will be done to it. All constituents of nature have their respective carrying capacities and all work and interact for mutual benefit.
The Jain Doctrine of Non-violence addresses all aspects of protection, preservation and sustainability of environment by ensuring that no harm is done to any constituent of nature, big or small. The entire web of nature is so intricately and interdependently interwoven that no single individual groups or species can survive alone. Mankind with all its brain power, ingenuity and technology depends inevitably on natural resources which must be preserved for its own survival. No harm should be done to any. The concept of least harm is ambiguous because the definition of least will be different for different people in different situations. Jainism prescribes non-violence in all it ramifications, transgressions, permutations and combinations, answering all queries, doubts, problems in various situations authenticating its practical feasibility. Non-violence is must for one and all.
Truth is generally understood in a very restricted sense of not indulging in falsehood or not speaking a lie. But truth has much wider meaning. It is commitment for right and rational stand against all that is wrong, violent and superstitions. Truth is an important concomitant for nonviolence. Speaking harsh words is also violence.
It is a stark truth that the environment, both physical and social. is getting degraded increasingly because of the anthropocentric approach, exploding population and spiraling consumerism of human beings. Mankind is still nurturing false notions of inexhaustibility of natural resources in spite of conclusive scientific proof to the contrary. Mankind must realize this truth and eliminate the causes for looming distress by following the doctrine of truth. Falsehood and false notions, which include distrust, deceit, superiority and inferiority complexes, are main causes of social unrest, rift, conflicts and wars. Truthful path can redress and redeem deteriorating physical and social environments.
Jain Acharyas have described truth in all its aspects, dimensions and modalities to guard against all sorts of transgressions and failings. af fage 113/2/3511
- Acharanga Sutra "Be committed to truth".