ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

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

Page 343

character and deeds. There is high truth in ancient saying that the kind of food you eat determines the kind of man you are. The taste of the man in different types of food reflects his behavior and character. In fact, it is an indicator of one's innermost self. Meat eating is totally against human nature. Jain thinkers discussed the subject at length in their works about its demerits. The very constitution of man does not warrant it. Man's habit of taking meat is not natural. It is the result of perverted taste, which becomes a sort of addiction. As such it should be completely discarded.
Our food should contain all those ingredients, which produce energy, health and heat. Our food should have proteins, sugar, vitamins, minerals and fats in adequate quantities and right proportions so that good quality of new cells and red blood corpuscles are produced continuously. It is a misunderstanding that meat is invigorator. In fact it is medically proved that vegetarianism gives more lasting strength. Vasunandi and other Jain monks /scholars explained the fact in detailed. Meat does not contain calcium, and carbohydrates with the result that meat-eaters are irritable, angry, and intolerant and pessimists. In vegetarian diets they are present in greater measure and so vegetarians are just the reverse in their nature. Animal proteins do not have additional value in the human nutrition rather it forms the potential risk for the development of the large number of serious meat borne diseases like cysticercus's, hydrated cuts, trichinosis which do not have any permanent treatment. Some of these diseases may be lethal.
ii) The Naişthika śrāvaka (Allegiant Layman) The Naişthika śrāvaka follows the twelve vows (five Aņuvratas, three Guņavratas, and four Śikṣāvratas). Under the Aņuvratas, 6 the principle of Non-violence or non-injury is the first and foremost vow that teaches us to avoid the injury by mind, speech, and body. He does not trade in flesh and skin, nor does he incite others to do it. He also avoids the bonding, killing or torturing, maiming, overloading and carelessness in giving food and water to animals and persons living under him.? The second vow Satyavrata teaches us that the layman should not speak a lie. He is also expected not to reveal the secrets of others, accusing somebody without any justification, writing counterfeit documents, playing tricks in weighing and measuring and so on.
* Ratnakaranda Śrāvakācāra Verse 52
ibid. Verse 53-54 8 Ibid. Verse 55-56
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0