ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

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

Page 460

Stem cell Suicide Surrogacy
1.2 List of Eminent International Bio-Ethicists Referred
Abdulaziz Sachedina
Arthur Caplan
Barnard Nethanson
Damien Keown
James Hughes James Rachels
John Robertson
Joseph Fletcher Julian Savulescu Leon Kass
Peter Singer Ruth Faden
2.0 Foundations: Jaina Ethical-Moral Doctrines
Jain scriptures have clearly described the foundations of moral and spiritual doctrines and categorized them according to the status of the person, being a monk, semi- monk or a householder. These moral doctrines will help us derive inferences regarding bioethical issues.
Aristotle equates being ethical to being good and being good is to become virtuous i.e. moral virtue or excellence, as it has to do with passions and actions. In Jainism virtues are not limited to being good morally but are also helpful in spiritual pursuit leading to liberation mok a. Though Jainism originated in pre-historical, pre-modern and pre-technological era, yet we can easily draw inferences from its foundations and spiritual cum moral doctrines and relate them to advances in medicine. There are no direct guidelines in scriptures, however. The cardinal virtue as per Jainism is Ahi s (do no harm or do not cause pain to self and others). It therefore should be the basic guideline for understanding Jain view relating to bioethics. Accordingly Jains said that the motivation or the thought process behind bioethics rather then the actual act is the deciding factor in being ethically valid.
2.1 Social, Personal and Spiritual Ethics or Virtues in Jainism
All virtues / ethics in Jainism are based on its founding principle Ahi s (nonviolence). Rather then separating virtues of body, speech and mind all virtues need to be followed by body, speech and mind together.
2.2 Moral and Spiritual Virtues
2.2.1 Eight Basic Duties (mulagu as) for Jainas
As a primary requirement, every Jain must practice the following eight basic duties so that he can exercise self-control and lead a good, ethical and moral life before starting his journey for spiritual purification.
1. Avoiding use of all addictive (mind perverting) substances including but not limited to alcohol, opium, marijuana, cocaine, cigarettes, tobacco etc.
2. Have meatless diet even excluding fish and eggs i.e. be vegetarian.
3. Avoid use of honey.
4. Avoid five non-edible fruits belonging to fig family as growth of infinite microorganism takes place in them.
5. Always use filtered and purified water.
6.
Eat before sunset.
7. Always keep attributes of five auspicious beings (Pañca Paramesthis) in mind and when applicable visit temple for veneration and devotion.
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0