ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03

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

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5.0 Modern medical science, economic and ecology views on Jain diet 12 We see a significant movement in the world towards adopting vegetarian food and giving up meat eating or even animal based products based primarily on health considerations. Every day we find new medical reports identifying illnesses correlated to eating meat and poultry products.
Similarly a number of studies support economic considerations for being vegetarian and resource constraints in supporting meat eating habits. On the ecology front also, recent researches on production of meat or other animal products show detrimental effect they have on our land and water resources besides harm to the air quality and the ill effect of consuming animal products.
12 The Food Revolution by John Robbins a. Medical: Dr Dean Ornish in the forward to the book 'The Food Revolution' by John Robbins says 'A series of
scientific studies and randomized clinical trials demonstrating that the progression of even severe coronary heart disease can be stopped or reveres simply by making comprehensive changes in one's diet and life style. These lifestyle changes include adopting a low fat, plant based, whole food diet; stress management techniques (including yoga and meditation); moderate exercise; smoking cessation; and psychosocial group support'. Ecology: 'It is a dream of a success in which all beings share because it is founded on reverence for life. A dream of a society at peace with its conscience because it respects and lives in harmony with all life forms. A dream of a people living in accord with the natural laws of creation, cherishing and caring for the environment, conserving nature instead of destroying it. A dream of a society that is truly healthy, practicing a wise and compassionate stewardship of a balanced ecosystem.' Page 3 by the author. All of the planet's physical features and living organism are interconnected. They work together in important and meaningful ways. The clouds, oceans, mountains, volcanoes, plants, bacteria and animals all play important roles in determining how our planet works. (Page 231) Traditionally farm animals played an important role in keeping agriculture on a sound ecological footing. They ate grass, crop waste and kitchen scraps that people could not eat. Their manure provided the soil with needed nutrients. And the animals pulled the plows and provided other services that enhanced human life. (Page 233). Economic: There is not enough land to raise animal feed to satisfy the meat eating habits of the human population. Producing one kg of lettuce consumes 33 gallons of water while producing one kg of beef consumes 5300 gallons of water. The same is the case of land requirements to cultivate other grains and plant based foods. Disposal of animal excreta makes the water bodies as unusable for irrigation and human
consumption. A number of large water bodies (aquifers) all over the world are becoming dry on this account. d. Anything which is even edible but not suitable for a particular individual. For example cold water or drinks for
a person suffering from cold, cough etc. e. Anything which is unknown.
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0