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FEATURE
Jain Digest. Summer 2007 Top TEN things Jains can do collectively and individually for the Environment 1.Follow vegetarian or if possible, vegan lifestyle, and inspire colleagues and neighbors to do so. 2.Avoid using animal products, e.g. leather furniture, car-seats, shoes, belts, wallets, etc. Some brands of toothpastes, soaps, cheese, cakes and cookies, also contain animal products. 3.Start a national campaign (in co-operation with such organizations as PETA, SPCA, and Hindus) for a legislation requiring all manufacturers of foods, drugs, and cosmetics to clearly declare on the packaging that, "The product is
100% safe for vegetarians." 14.Cut down on personal use of automobile. Walk, bicycle, carpool or use public transport. Organize a walking bus'
to take children to the neighborhood school. 5.Cut down on the use of electricity - make your house energy-efficient through R-2000 insulation, use of compact Auorescent or LED bulbs, lowering thermostat at night and ditching air-conditioners. 6. Jain centers could organize an "Environment Awareness Exhibition" annually to raise public awareness for the environment as well as to publicize Tirthankara Mahavir's 2600 year-old message on environment, animal cruelty, and war and peace. 7.Undertake detailed study and practice of the three Jain doctrines - Ahimsa, Anekantavada, Aparigraha (Triple A's). These are very useful tools for taking environmental leadership through non-violent, non-aggressive, dialogue to win-over people to your cause. 8. Inspire students in your family to organize environment related projects, studies, and research. 9. Avoid using milk for washing idols, real silk clothing for puja, and varkha for decorating. 10.Aspire to make Jain Dharma synonymous with peace, environment, and tranquil, healthy life.
This article is based on Dr. Parikh's book, Jainism and the New Spirituality, 2nd Edition, Peace Publications, Toronto, Canada, WWW/Peacepublications.com
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a ballle that
was going on inside him.
the said. "My son, it is between 2
wolves."
"One is evil: Inger, envy, SOTTOW, regret, greed, arrogance, sell-pily. guill, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego...
The other is good: Joy, peace, love, hope, sereniiy, humility, kindness. benevolence, empathy, generosity,
truth, compassion and sailh..."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grand
father. "Which wolf wins?"
Let me tell you, these religion channels changed my whole lifel Now, I am a completely religious person..., not only that, you don't even have to spend a dime to watch! One person in the complex subscribes and everyone else
pulls the cables from him!
The old Cherokee simply replied,
"The one I feed."
G
ation Intemational
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