Jain Journal 2004 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 17

218
JAIN JOURNAL VOL-XXXVIII, NO. 4 APRIL. 2004
that the whole system has been carefully worked out for practical application. What the system is calculated to deliver immediately is universal welfare, a welfare, not limited to mankind, but going down to one-sensed beings: earth-bodied, water-bodied, air-bodied, firebodied and the plant-bodied, with all sentient beings in between. It forbids
(i) confinement, torture, overloading and underfeeding of animals etc. as forms of slaughter;
(ii) unconsidered accusation, back-biting, betrayal of confidence, spreading rumour, forgery and tampering of documents etc. as forms of falsehood;
(iii) profiteering, smuggling, infiltrating, using false weights and measures and dealing in counterfeit and adulterated goods etc. as forms of theft;
(iv) keeping concubines, prostitution and flirtation as forms of adultery;
(v) owning property beyond the ceiling, under some pretext as unnecessary hoarding;
(vi) consumerism as extravagance;
(vii) burning and felling trees, dealing in ivory, lac, liquors, wool and flesh etc. as stigmatized means of livelihood;
(viii) expanding the sphere of one's commercial and industrial activities as an excess; and
(ix) all unproductive labours as futile.
If we judge these forbiddings in the present context, we find them relevant and efficacious in eradicating the evils pestering community life. Our constitution provides for protection of life (article 21). The vow of abstention from killing includes that and envisages much more. It has also been held by the supreme court of India that an individual's right to an unpolluted environment is a corollary to the fundamental right of protection of life (Virendra Gaura vs State of Haryana). To ensure an unpolluted environment, the forty-second amendment adds the following articles to the constitution:
48A: Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forest and wild life: The state shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country.