ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

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

Page 396

environment leading to denudation of forests, global warming, drying up of glaciers, rivers, lakes and other water resources and pollution of air, water and land has already caused catastrophic effects on the existence of life on Earth.
Amazingly, the first formal and detailed declaration on environmental protection covering air, earth, water, fire, vegetation and other increasingly higher forms of life reaching up to the level of man, was made by Mah v ra in his first set of discourses delivered more than 2550 years ago and embodied in cr nga sutra. There are seven sections in the first chapter of cr nga Sutra dealing with the subject of environment only. Mah vra strongly pleads for recognition of life in air, earth, water, vegetation etc. and desires that one should be careful not to damage it. To give a flavour of what he said, it may be apposite to quote aphorisms 113 to 117 of cr nga Sutra as under:
"Comparison of plant life with Human life - 113
(a) This (i.e. human being) is born; (b) This grows;
(c) This possesses consciousness; (d) On being cut this becomes sad;
(e) This takes nourishment;
(f) This is mortal;
(g) This not eternal;
(h) There is metabolism (anabolism;
(i) This undergoes various transformations (such as ageing etc.).
this (i.e. plant) too is born. this too grows
this too possesses consciousness this too becomes sad (i.e. withers) on being cut.
this too takes nourishment.
this too is mortal.
this too is not eternal.
there is metabolism in this too and catabolism) in this (i.e. building up of new cells and decaying of old cells);
this too undergoes various transformations (such as ageing etc.)
He who uses a weapon on the beings of vegetable body has neither comprehended nor forsworn actions (causing violence to the beings of vegetable body and other beings residing in the vegetable). 114.
(On the contrary) he, who does not use any weapon on the beings of vegetable body, has comprehended and forsworn actions (causing violence to the beings of vegetable body, and other beings residing in it).115
Having discerned this, a sage should neither use weapon-causing violence to the beings of vegetable body, nor cause others to use it, nor approve of others using it. 116
He who discerns (i.e. comprehends and forswears) the actions that cause violence to the beings of vegetable body, can be regarded as a (true) ascetic (for a true ascetic is he) who has discerningly forsworn actions". 117
Modern science discovered life or consciousness in plants life only about a hundred years ago, whereas Mah vra, without the aid of scientific instruments, could discern life in plants more than 2550 years ago. His teaching, if followed, will go long way in preserving the environment.
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Ahis is also necessary for practical reasons. As mentioned earlier violence begets violence. Besides, violence does not solve problems in the long run. Further all life is bound together by mutual support and interdependence. (Parasparopagraho Jiv nam)
3.0
Application of Ahi s
We may now consider the application of Ahi s in day today life of common man.
As already stated, normal life at individual, social, national and international level is rife with violence ranging from pretty one to horrendous levels. For the sake of mutual safety and comfort, social amity and international peace, action of various types, at different levels, may be necessary.
STUDY NOTES version 4.0