JAINA Convention 1993 07 Pittusburgh

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 99

Living a Jain Way of Life in a Western Environment
by Jai Shah Edmonton, Alberta
It is hard to imagine how one could be a devout Jain in our contemporary western society. In our fast paced daily lifestyles involving instant communications through fax, electronic mail, computers; constant media broadcasts through radio and television, speedy transportation, how can one make time for Jainism? Yet now, more than ever, because of social, economic, ethical, political and ecological problems we are faced with, we need to find solutions which have answers to all of these obstacles. The unique appeal of Jainism, one of the world's oldest religion, is that it has the solutions to many of these paradoxes. Although relatively unknown in the West due to a small following, in India it is one of the most respected religions. The philosophy of non-violence or ahimsa is the foundation of the Jain outlook on life. Jainism teaches us that all life is sacred, and that every living being has a unique place in the universe: "Paraspar Upgraho Jeevanam", or the harmonious co-existence and mutual respect between all forms of life. Another important aspect of Jainism is the concept of anekaantavaad, or the principle of plurality of viewpoints.
Ahimsa, or non-violence forms the cornerstone of Jain philosophy. The largest and most influential contribution that Jainism can make to Western culture and society are the ideals and practice of vegetarianism. Jains tradionally practice vegetarianism because of the doctrine of ahimsa, however in the last few years many more reasons for switching to a vegetarian diet have emerged, and many non-Jains have embraced them. Some famous vegetarians include: Mahatma Gandhi, Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Leo Tolstoy, and George Bernard Shaw. Many recent studies have shown that incidences of cancer and heart diseases are significantly less under a vegetarian diet. In one survey, non-vegetarians
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were found to have a 96% higher chance of a heart attack than vegetarians! Other studies have found that some of our body parts have not been designed to eat meat. In summary, we are not, physiologically speaking, meant to eat meat, let alone kill other creatures for it.
With the recent awareness about the environment, the Jain philosoph of "Paraspar Upgraho Jeevanam" or har
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monious co-existence between all forms of life, has alos been embraced by many Westerners. The David Suzuki Foundation in its Declaration of Independence writes that:
"We humans are but one of 30 million species weaving the thin layer of life enveloping the world. The stability of communities of living things depends upon this diversity. Linked in a web of
community, we are interconnected using, cleansing, sharing and replenishing the fundamental elements of life. The stability of communities of living things depends upon their diversity..."
While Jains have known and been practicing these doctrines for thousands of years, it is only recently that other cultures have become aware of them. Using Jain guidelines, we can be the true custodians of our vast and fragile ecosystem. The Sacred Earth Declaration, drafted by Dr. N. Jain at the recently held International Earth Summit in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, refers to Jain principles which are being echoed across the world: "We believe in the sanctity and integrity of all life forms. We affirm the principles of peace and non-violence in governing human behavior towards one another and all life. We view ecological disruption as violent intervention into the web of life."
The concept of anekaantavaad, or the plurality of viewpoints, is central to the ideas of tolerance and mutual respect. In contrast, ekantavaad only permits one viewpoint or opinion and leads to a dictatorial system. Anekaantavaad has proven it adaptability and proficiency in the very recent past, when
the former totalitarian systems of Eastern Bloc communist governments gave way to more lenient, liberal systems. such as democracy, where varying opinions are tolerated and encouraged.
The German philosopher Immanuel Kant said, "Formerly, I viewed human common sense only from the standpoint of my own; now I put myself into the position of another's reason outside of myself, and observe my judgements, together with their most secret causes, from the point of view of others."
Mahatma Gandhi agreed with this, saying, "It has been my exprience that I am always true from my point of view, and often wrong from the point of view of my honest critics. I know we are both right from our respective points of view."
In the mid-1970's and 80's when the western world was in its spending frenzy, it was not in 'fashion' to be a vegetarian or an environmentalist. Now, in the 90's in light of pressing economic, political and ethical and enviromental agendas, we need to reassess our values and morals. It is time for us, as citizens of the Western world, to realize that our wasteful and ecologically disastrous ways cannot be continued. With each new sartling and disturbing report on the environment, each viewing of the Los Angeles riots, each bleak forecast for continued famine in Africa, each failed peace treaty in the remains of Yugoslavia, and each new outbreak of religious upheavl in India, comes a slide deeper still into a yawning chasm which threatens a point of no return. But there is hope. A shift towards a new order of unity- economic, political, social, moral and environmental, based on the values prescribed by Jainism for millennia, will force the barriers down. We need to celebrate ourselves, not derive ourselves of our greatest resource of all- our earth. To do this, we must band together, in whole, to forge a new future for our planet. The concepts of ahimsa, anekaantavaad, and jeevya-daya, having already withstood the test of time, will prove to be a cornerstone in this new order, because as our population swells, and our resources dwindle, the most conserving, resourceful, efficient, and beneficial way of life is the Jaina way of life.
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7TH BIENNIAL JAINA CONVENTION - JULY 1993 For Private & Personal Use Only