Environmental Doctrines of Jainism

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

Page 28

"Should not desire more than the fixed limits of area, house, silver, gold, currency, animals, food grains, servants, clothing and utensils."
"अतिवाहनातिसंग्रह लोभाति भारवाहनानि। off e r a fully yut 841 16211"
- Ratnakarand Shravakachar "To store more and to be greedy in anticipation of higher in price in future are transgressions of the vow of non-consumerism."
"अक्षार्थानां परिसंख्यानं, भोगोपयोग परिमाणं। 3279leau, et 1 182 "
- Ratnakarand Shravakachar "In order to reduce desires one should fix limits of things to be used or possesses, for a stipulated period or for whole life."
"इहलोग दुहावंह विऊ, परलोगे य दुहं दुहावहं। far a d, ştafawi DISTRICT | 12/2/1011"
- Sutrakritanga "Consumerrism in respect of money, food grains etc is cause of suffering in this life and also subsequently." *3fCIA TITA, 3701 T 17/1/18||
- Sutrakritanga "One should eat less, drink less and speak less ie. Should be frugal."
"Land, houses, silver, gold, jewels, currency notes, domestic animals, food grains, clothing, servants, utensils, vehicles etc. are objects of senses and attachment and should be limited to minimum. Acquisition and hoarding in greed for higher profits and loading more than capacity of vehicles is also violation of the vow of non-consumerism. In order to reduce consumerism practices of limiting the use of various objects for a short or long periods are prescribed to gradually bring it to minimum by practice. Consumerism has been described as cause of
suffering in this world and also afterwards. People are advised to reduce even meals and use of water.
"इति यः परिमिति भोगैः संतुष्टसत्यगति बहुतरान भोगान्। TER FOXEIRTS & PIERCI1166
- Purushartha Siddhnpaya "One who is contended within minimum limited needs and their acquisition and does not desire more also does not commit several types of violence inherent in acquisition and consumption".
Non-consumerism is thus an effective measure to strengthen and facilitate the observance of vow of non-violence also.
Such sagacity of Jain thinkers, visualizing dangers and need for minimising consumerism since the time when its effects were not even manifest, is creditable. In view of the level of consumerism rising rapidly and its disastrous effects looming large what is required is not only minimizing the needs and use of resources but to limit them within carrying capacities of nature, collectivaly by all people. In the present context minimum is vague because it may be different for different people in different situations. The pressure on natural resources needs to be reduced to the level of their capacities. It requires collective effort by entire human society, irrespective of caste and creed.
Jain doctrine of non-consumerism is so meticulously and judiciously designed that it will eliminate inequalities and sufferings of entire human population. Simultaneously pressure on nature can be brought down to the level of its capacity. It will eliminate shortage of food, water etc., stop further degradation of environment and then reduce it. There will not be famines, floods, wars and conflicts. There will be peace and harmony in society, in entire biosphere and whole nature.
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