Introduction to Jaina Sadhna

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 89

82: An Introduction to Jaina Sādhanā
in the equality of human beings which can restore the peace and harmony in human society: Preservation of Ecological Equilibrium
. Presently the most crucial problem of our age is, or for coming generation would be, that of ecological disbalance. Only a half centruy back we could not even think of it. But today every one is aware that ecological disbalance is directly related to the very survival of human race. It indicates lack of equilibrium or disbalance of nature and pollution of air, water, etc. It is concerned not only with human beings and their environment, but with animal life and plant-life as well.
Jainism, presents various solution of this ecological problem through its theory of non-violence. Jainas hold that not only human and animal beings but earth, water, air, fire and vegetable kingdom are also sentient and living beings. For Jainas to pollute, to disturb, to hurt and to destroy them means commit the violence against them, which is a sinful act. Thus their firm belief in the doctrine that earth, water, air, fire and vegetable paved a way for the protection of ecological balance. Their every religious activity starts with seeking forgiveness and repentance for disturbing or hurting earth, water, air and vegetation. Jainācāryas had made various restrictions on the use of water, air and green vegetables, not only for monks and nuns but for laities also. Jainas have laid more emphasis on the protection of wild-life and plants. According to them hunting is one of the seven serious offences or vices. It is prohibited for every Jaina whether a monk or a laity. Prohibitions for hunting and meateating are the fundamental conditions for being a Jaina. The similarity between plant-life and human life is beautifully explained in Acārānga-sūtra. To hurt the plant life is as sinful as to hurt human life. In Jainism monks are not allowed to eat raw-vegetables and to drink unboiled water. They cannot enter the river