Jain Digest 2005 01

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

Page 32

Jainism and Environment
Lord Mahavir preached a universal truth for all times to come when he said, "One who neglects or disregards the existence of earth, air, fire, water and vegetation, disregards his own existence which is entwined with them". Not only did he preach on environmental and ecological issues, but his entire life was also an example of how to live in perfect harmony with the environment.
The following ancient Jain aphorism is refreshingly contemporary in its promise and forms the basis of the modern day science of ecology.
"Parasparopagraho Jivänäm."
All life is bound together by mutual support and interdependence
Environment is imbued (saturated) with living beings therefore if we harm "ONE" we harm "ALL" living beings. The main tenets of Jainism are:
Ahimsa (Non-violence)
Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness / Self restraints) Anekäntaväda (Pluralism of view points) Of which Ahimsa and Aparigraha relate to Environment
NON-VIOLENCE: Jainism believes that the five basic elements (earth, water, fire, air, and vegetation) of the universe make our environment possess life. They have their own physical body. They possess only one sense (touch) while insects, birds, fish, animals and humans possess two to five senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing). Also human beings alone are blessed with the sixth sense of advanced developed thinking. Therefore, they are responsible for achieving oneness and harmony with all life by being careful, compassionate, loving and nonviolent.
Survival of any life is not possible with absolute nonviolence. Every living being needs organic food for its existence. Hence the destruction of one or the other form of life is essential for food. However Jain belief states that a living being with higher number of senses feels more pain. Therefore, the destruction of higher sense living beings (exploiting or killing of animals, birds, and fish) for food is considered more cruel act because it inflicts more pain in them. It also causes a greater destruction to environment. Hence Jainism advocates vegetarianism compared to non-vegetarian food.
Jain Education Intemational
Pravin K. Shah, Raleigh, NC
Raising animals for food not only involves significant cruelty towards animals but also consume significantly higher natural resources than vegetarian food and it creates significant environmental unbalance. The following information explains the magnitude of cruelty and the impact on the environment.
DAIRY INDUSTRY: Over the past 50 to 70 years, more than 95% milk has been produced by the commercial dairy. The dairy cow now produces 5 times more milk then it did about 70 years ago (Ref - The National Dairy Farm Magazine Dec 2004). To increase the milk yield and to reduce the cost of maintaining less productive cows, the following practices have been used by the dairy industries:
To Increase Milk Yield
Cows are kept pregnant continually.
Hormones or drugs are injected to cows.
To Reduce Operating Cost
The mother cows are slaughtered after four years of their fertile life (life expectancy of cow is 15 to 20 years) because milk yield drops significantly.
70% to 80% of baby calves are slaughtered within six months by Veal industry or within two to four years by beef industry because the dairy industry can not absorb 100% growth rate every year (every cow delivers one baby calf every year).
In old times, the dairy cows were raised as a part of the family and the cows were living their natural life. After feeding the baby calf, the excess milk was consumed by humans and the consumption of this milk was considered a gift of nature. Today the magnitude of cruelty in the production of milk is significant throughout a cow's life and is similar to the production of meat. Besides, the killing of these animals, results in polluting our land, air, and water systems.
Slaughter House Waste: According to article published in New York Times dated May 12, 1996 reports that more than 150,000 cows and calves, 350,000 hogs, and 24,000,000 chickens are killed per day in USA. About 30% of the animal body parts are not consumed by humans. The waste released in the environment by the United States meat and dairy industry is about 230,000 pounds per second, polluting our land, air and water systems (Source: USDA 2001). Both dairy and meat industry economically support
30/JAIN DIGEST- Spring 2005 www.jainelibrary.org