Environmental Doctrines of Jainism

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

Page 54

ते णं मणुजा हक्कारेणं दंडेणं.... HRU cau facu 12/361
- Jambudweep Prajnapti "People were sensitive and only admission of guilt by them was considered as punishment. Subsequently with decreasing sensitivity the offenders were told not to commit the offence and it was considered as punishment. Later on punishment was to rebuke. 4. Unhappy-Happy (Dukhma-Sukhma) era:
During this period conditions deteriorate. As a result of destruction of forests (Kalpavrikshas) the yield of edible and other products diminish. People start agriculture for food and other products. As available quantity of food increase, the population also start increasing, requiring more and more food and for that more and more land for agriculture by cleaning more and more forest areas. The problems of excess and deficit rains, floods, droughts and famines start manifesting. With agriculture came the concept of individual property which leads to conflicts and wars. Enlightened persons Arhats and Tirthankaras keep on advising people against acquisition of property and wealth, putting some checks and reducing conflicts. 5. Unhappy (Dukhma) era:
This is the era on planet earth at present. There is further degradation. As a result of exploding population and spiraling consumerism, pressure on natural resources increases. The problems of floods, droughts, famines, food and water shortages accentuate. Forests shrink considerably. For increasing energy requirements in industries, transport etc. fossil fuels are burnt more and more leading to excessive CO2 emissions and green house effects. This is inducing climate change which will effect food production and accentuate problems of shortages of food and water. In near future if conditions continue to degrade there will be more conflicts and wars. There are enough scientifically documented warning signs of dire consequences if consumption levels are not reduced and gradually brought down within the limits of carrying capacities of natural resources.
6. Unhappy-Unhappy (Dukhma-Dukhma) era:
If consumption levels continue to increase the conditions will deteriorate from bad in fifth era to worse in sixth era:
"अणंतेहिं वण्णपज्जवेहिं. गंध पज्जवेहिं, रसपज्जवेहिं. फासपज्जवेहिं जाव परिहाय माणे..... काले भविस्सइ हाहा भुए. भंभा भूए. कोलाहलभूए. य खरफरूस - धूलिमइला, दुविस्सहा, वाउला, H&R Hagom u af अभिक्खणं अरसमेहा, विरस मेहा, खारमेहा, खत्तमेहा, अग्नि मेहा, विज्जूमेहा, विसमेहा...... बहुरोगवेदणो जणवंय, चउप्पगवेलए, खहमरे, पक्खि संघे ..... बहुप्यारे रूक्खगुच्छगुम्मलयवल्लितपवालंकुर मादीए तणवणस्सइकाए ओसहीओ अ विद्धंसेति। ..... भूमि भविस्सइ इंगालभूआ, मुम्मुरभूआ, R3r3r, gferagat, duragan, uch E212/46 11"
- Jambudweep Prajnapti "The conditions will be intolerable. Climate will be very harsh with extremes of temperature, food and water will be scarce. People will be crying with increasing sufferings. Animals, cows etc. will also be groaning. Storms of extreme velocity will be frequent. The rains will be hot, acidic and poisonous. This will destroy trees, creepers, medicinal and useful plants. The earth will become hot sandy desert at many places and marshy at other places and will be un-productive".
Such a future scenario which is now being realized on the basis of scientific studies has been predicted in Jain Scriptures more than 2000 years ago. Mankind will eventually meet such a worst scenario if the population and consumption patterns continue as of now, putting increasing pressure on nature and polluting air, water and soil indiscriminately. But it can be avoided and even the process of degradation reversed to good, better and best stage by judiciously