Environmental Doctrines of Jainism

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

Page 33

Para e fora 14/4/4011
- Acharanga Sutra "One should abstain from meat and blood". sfee 48 115/2/25
- Acharanga Sutra "Good person should not be careless." 29474 Pareit at E30 CT ||30/211
- Uttaradhyayan Sutra "Abstaining from meals after sunset and five sins stops influx of karmic load."
Till only a few decades back taking meals before sun set was an identity mark of Jains. It is no more now and is confined to miniscule few mainly the old generation. It has scientific basis. Medically there should be minimum gap of 3-4 hours between meals and sleep. It is automatically maintained by taking meals before sunset even if one goes to sleep as early as at 21.00 - 22.00 hours. People taking meals in night generally go to sleep just after finishing meals and suffer gastric and other ailments Good health is an essential prerequisite for peaceful and happy social environment. Visibility in good sunlight is far better than any amount of artificial light. Taking meals during day will save lot of energy and will be helping in protection of environment. Sun's rays are also effective disinfectant and safeguard against diseases.
कर्मपरवशे सान्ते दुखैरन्तरितोदये, 494 Str GHORAM at 11211
- Ratnakarand Shravakachar "A rational person should not recollect over and over again the sensual pleasures of five senses which eventually are cause for suffering."
रागद्वेष निवृत्ते-हिंसादिनिवर्तना कृता भवति। referefe gehad yd 1481
- Ratnakarand Shravakachar
"A person of good character should not commit five sins under the psychic influence of attachment and aversion"
'मद्यमांस मधुत्योगे, सहाणु व्रत पञ्चकम्। 3retic
T SHUTTET I 166
- Ratnakarand Shravakachar "Abstaining from wine, meat, honey and observance of five vows are eight essential attributes of a Jain".
Prohibition of use of honey is unique in Jainism. Apart from violence against bees by usurping their food this has wider aspect in respect of environment. Honey bees are instrumental in pollination. In over three-fourth of useful food and other crops, fertilization and production of various seeds and other useful products is through crosspollination which is made possible only by honey bees and other such insects. The process of collecting honey from honey.combs in forest is very violent and destructive. First the bees are frightened away by smoke and then the whole comb is crushed and squeezed and all eggs etc. of bees are killed while taking out honey. As a result of such crude process the population of bees has dwindled continuously and this has affected the production of food crops and forest products.
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- Ratnakarand Shravakachar "Not only that one should not commit himself but should also not advise any trading, profession and occupation which involve cheating and violence".
Such an injunction is very relevant for social harmony and peaceful environment.
There are special instructions for monks who play a very important role in modeling the mind set and conduct of devotees -
“णो कहिए होज्ज संजए. पासणिए ण य संपसारए। en H ote, sal u afa ATH|12/2/28||
- Sutrakitanga