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Letter from Father Carlos G. Vallès May 2009
aina 2009
Endo-The Jain Winy
I feel honoured to be invited to send a message to the 15th JAINA Convention in Los Angeles, and I do so from the heart. All the more so as the theme of the Convention, Ecology the Jain Way', is particularly important and meaningful today.
Jainism has a threefold claim to world relevance in our days.
1. Ahimsa. Non-violence is a fundamental principle of Jainism and the first need of the world in these times of continued wars, increasing terrorism, and widespread street violence.
2. Anekantvad. The many-sidedness of truth is also a Jain principle. The parable of the eight blind men and the elephant, now present in all literatures, is of Jain. origin. The need for different cultures, and particularly different religions, to know, understand, accept, and complement one another is keen and urgent for the survival of civilisation.
3. Jiva-ajiva. Jainism extends life to material beings like earth, water, air, fire, only that they have fewer senses (one) than human beings (five). This means that the whole of creation is alive, and this in turn is the best basis for a true ecology in theory and in practice. It is this principle that gives Jainism a very special relevance today.
Reverence to living beings should be extended to what western thought calls material beings, and so all should be equally respected. Jain monks and nuns wear a piece of white cloth in front of their mouths. The reason for this is not precisely to avoid swallowing insects, as is popularly believed, but to minimise the hurt and pollution caused to the surrounding Air by the human breath while speaking. Water taps in Jain homes are covered with a cloth, not to filter the Water, but to break its fall and soften its impact on the basin below. Jain monks and nuns walk barefoot, again not out of a desire to practice austerity, but in order not to hurt Mother Earth while walking. Devote housewives salute with folded hands the Fire in the kitchen before switching off the electrical supply to the oven. Practical respect for Air, Water, Earth, and Fire. I've witnessed and I've been inspired by the deep meaning of these simple gestures.
These examples put before us an ideal ecological image, and place in our hands a practical daily reminder of our duty to nature. Reverence to Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and then, as we go up in the scale of more-sensed beings, to plants and vegetables and animals and humans. This is deep and true and all-embracing ecology. The Earth is alive. May this Jain tradition guide us and encourage us to lead more ecological lives, and may this Convention inspire us all in the task.
Father Valles
www.carlosvalles.com
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