JAINA Convention 2015 07 Atlanta GA

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

Page 61

2015 JAINA Convention
Jainism World of Non-Violence
protect every other soul
Hidden Himsä - Increasing Awareness for Compassionate Living?
Compiled by Harendra H. Shah
. There is no quality of soul more subtle than
non-violence and no virtue of spirit greater than reverence for life.
. One who neglects or disregards the existence of earth, air, fire, water and vegetation disregards his own existence which is entwined with them.
After fertile time (5 years), they are sent to slaughterhouses. Calves are generally taken from their mothers within a day of being bom-males are destined for veal crates, and females are sentenced to the same fate as their mothers. After their calves are taken from them, mother cows are hooked up several times a day to machines that take the milk intended for their babies. Using genetic manipulation, powerful hormones, and intensive milking, factory farmers force cows to produce about 10 times as much milk as they naturally would. Animals are pumped full of bovine growth hormone (BGH), which contributes to painful inflammation of the udder known as "mastitis. According to the industry's own figures, between 30 and 50 percent of dairy cows suffer from mastitis, an extremely painful condition
• All life is inter-related and it is the duty of
souls to assist each other.
. First knowledge, then compassion. Thus
does one remains in full control. How can an ignorant person be compassionate, when he cannot distinguish between the good and the evil?
Knowing Hidden Himsa and Avoiding It
As Jain Scholar, Dr. Natmal Tatia said, "Our beliefs Hims and how to avoid it. And for modern Jains, Ain Ahimsa supersede all concepts, ideologies, the concept also includes the positive elements of rules, customs and practices, traditional or modern, working for justice, peace, liberation, and freedom, eastern or western, political or economic, self- and respect for all living beings. centered or social. Practice of Aparigraha (Nonpossessiveness) is physical Ahimsa (nonviolence). In addition to being compassionate, vegetarians Syddvád (accepting others words in some respect") live about seven years longer, and vegans (who is verbal Ahimsa and Anekantvad (multiplicity of eat no dairy products) about 15 years longer than views) is Ahimsa of thoughts. The violence begins meat eaters, according to a study from Loma Linda in thoughts, then transforms in speech, and then in University physical form.
From Jain Canonical Books Jains are very compassionate people and they traditionally revere all living beings. Jains do not • The true religion is consisted of continuous eat meat, seafood, eggs, and alcohol and their act of unconditional compassion. concern for animals goes beyond vegetarianism. For centuries, Jains have protected and cared for all Non-violence (Ahimsd) is the highest livings. They have established many animal and bird principle of Jain religion. sanctuaries (Panjaräpoles), hospitals and education institutions in India. Ahimsa is more than an attitude, . He who is disinclined from killing the it is a whole way of life for Jains.
smallest living beings knows what suffering
is because he who knows his own happiness Ahimsa is a timeless and far-reaching concept. It can and pains, knows others' too, and he who be applied to essentially every aspect of our lives. knows others' feelings knows his own Ahimsa doesn't just mean not doing harm - it also feelings. This is the way one must compare means working positively to promote tolerance, himself with others. He who has obtained forgiveness, compassion, peace, protection of this knowledge would not wish to live at the environment, honesty and to help those who are expense of other living beings. less fortunate.
• All the living beings wish to live and do not It is easy to understand and avoid gross violence. want to die. It is easy to comprehend what to eat, what not to . Just as pain is not acceptable to you, it is so eat, when to eat and when not to eat. But there is with others. enormous amount of hidden Himsa because of modern technological advancements. Do we know . Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, that one animal is killed per vegetarian household torment, torture or kill any creature or living every year, for the purposes of leather, cosmetics, being fashions, testing and entertainment? This article is an attempt to increase awareness about hidden • The only way to save one's own soul is to
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Recent technological advances have created a new environment for violence not visible to most of us. There is enormous increase in animal killing and cruelty: abuse of environment, impacting entire ecosystem in addition to health and social issues.
What are some good substitutes for milk? Soy milk, rice milk or almond milk. Substitute butter by flax oil, nut butter or apple-sauce Cheese by soy/rice cheese or crumbled tofu; Buttermilk by simply mixing 1 tablespoon white vinegar into 1 cup plain soy milk or rice milk and sour cream by using a vegan sour cream product. Consult your dietitian for Vitamin needs (B12 in fortified Soy Milk). There may be better alternatives - visit few Vegan websites and consult your dietitian.
. Our life style should be interwoven
with ecological and environmental consciousness. For example, use of energy efficient appliances and cars, reusable and recyclable items and use of environmentally and ecologically friendly items should be integral part of our life style.
• Dairy Products In USA and most of the world, milk production involves extreme cruelty. Cows raised for their milk are repeatedly impregnated. Their babies are taken away so that humans can drink the milk intended for the calves. Cow's normal life-span is
25 years. Their fertile time-span is 5 years Co
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• Leather:Every year approximately 230 million
cattle, 350 million sheep. 175 million goats and 700 million pigs are killed for their skins and flesh. The largest producers of these skins are the Soviet Union, United States and India. Millions of animals suffer the horrors of factory farming for the production of leather goods. They are stuffed in extremely cluttered areas, deprived of food, undergo un-anesthetized castration and branding Skins of young animals are the most valued
The most prized are the abortion induced www
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