Introduction to Jainism

Author(s): Rudi Jansma, Sneh Rani Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 61

AHIMSA
59
With the scientific and technological advancements, the consequent population explosion and industrial development man's ambition of conquering nature turned into megalomania. In the recent past the exploitation of natural resources has increased exponentially. In the process man completely forgot that environment is intrinsically and incontrovertibly connected with everything organic. Even the minutest change in environment influences all life-systems. And the influence of careless activities is mostly harmful.
All this has disturbed the ecological balance to the extent that the changes started affecting the life of humans. We have been jolted awake to the need of drastic measures to curb the ongoing degradation. Serious and widespread studies in this field were commenced. However, in spite of the continued and wide-ranging research, when it comes to application, this field is yet to attain the required maturity and sincerity.
. The present state is that in spite of all pointed and general efforts made for the last fifty years, we have failed to put noticeable brakes on the continuing environmental degradation. It is high time some radical thinking, deliberations and actions emerged on the ever darkening horizons.
It would appear that religion has hardly anything to do with such physical and technical things like environment and ecology. That is because the dividing lines drawn between different disciplines for convenience of management have turned into barriers. We generally miss the fact that in the overall picture of things everything is connected and related to every other thing.
In some schools of thought stray efforts were made to understand, evolve and establish a life style intimately connected with nature in a mutually sustainable way. In all probability Jains have of old made maximum efforts in this direction. Their efforts even culminated in designing an environment-based style of life that is rational and scientific.