ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 01

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 22

In the present time cycle, Jains talk of 24 Tirthamkaras or the Jinas who attained perfection and also guided others to do so. Ādinātha / Rsabhadeva is the first and Mahāvīra is the last i.e. 24th Tirthamkara.
Social Issues The recent economic theory of consumerism, i.e. increase demand for goods and services bring economic prosperity. This has lead to rampant indulgence in using natural resources (hydrocarbons extraction, deforestation) and discharging effluents in air, water to cause environmental imbalance and a threat to our very existence. Along with this growing demand for material wealth, we see use of unfair means to amass wealth (threatening, killing, aids) and greater unhappiness in people. We see rapidly increasing life style diseases like hypertension, diabetes, hearing impairment, air pollution related diseases like asthma etc. Jain docrien of strenuous efforts to achieve our objectives but practicing Self-restraint (sanyam) in consuming resources bsed on the practice of five minor Ahimsā, Satya, Achaurya, Aparigraha and Limited celibacy along with practice of anekānta for social harmony can provide solutions to all the issues. Some pf the isuses and solutions are discussed briefly.
Ecology Mahāvīra was the first to talk of six types of living beings namely air bodied, water bodied, fire bodied, earth bodied, plant based and moving living beings. Thus He talks of life in all these vital life support elements. Acārānga talks in details about all these and equates soul in them to that of ours. Then He talks of non-violence as the fundamental doctrine to achieve liberation and eternal happiness. If we practice Ahimsā towards these environmental elements and do not kill the living beings without any purpose, along with self-restraint by limiting our needs, we can expect the environment to rejuvenate itself and stay healthy.
Vegetarianism Eating meat or animal products cause us to kill living beings, thereby causing pain to them and enhancing our bondages. On the practical front, it has now been proved that vegetarian diet is healthier (physical, mental) and results in a peaceful attitude and freedom from deadly diseases. On economic front vegetarian diet is more economical as (
more agriculture products and land is required to feed and fatten meat yielding animals than to produce cereals for human beings. We also know that our planet does not have enough resources to satisfy the meet eating habits of all. We see that vegetarian diet is becoming fast a diet by choice by millions all over the world.
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