Book Title: Environmental Ethics
Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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Page 124
________________ more consumerism which is one of the most harmful factors affecting individual, society and environment. The various bad emotions mainly anger, vanity, hypocrisy and greed emanate from irrational sensuous attachment and indulgence. These emotions if not checked trigger evil deeds, violence, falsehood, theft, consumerism and sex. Almost all religions barring a few like Charvak emphasise check on sensual indulgence of five senses and inherent emotions of anger, vanity, hypocrisy and greed and also the emanating consequent misdeeds of violence, falsehood, theft, consumerism and sex. The antidote is observation of following five vows to the best possible extent : Non Violence (Ahimsa) : Violence in any form to any living being small or big should not be inflicted. Killing is extreme form of violence. Even hurting feelings, exploitation in any from, lack of compassion, denial of help to needy are all different forms of violence. In some religions even air, water, earth forms (Minerals) have been considered as life forms. Excessive use of these natural resources beyond their carrying capacity is also violence. Life-forms have been classified according to the number of senses present in particular living beings. Those with one sense of touch (Sparsa) only are earth form (including all minerals in undetached state, air, water, fire and all types of plants). Next category is of those with two senses of touch (Sparsa) and taste (Rasna) such as larvae. The third category has three senses of touch, taste and smell (Ghran), the fourth category has four senses of touch, taste, smell and sight (chakshu) and fifth category has all the five senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing (Karna). The more the number of senses, greater is the pain, callousness and hardening of heart in killing or harming. Use of water, minerals, fire, plants should be as frugal as possible. Violence with intention and through carelessness are more harmful than unintentional and if occurs inspite of all precautions e.g. while removing an object from one place to another, it should not be dragged but carefully lifted and put at 109 For Private & Personal Use Only Jain Education International www.jainelibrary.org

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