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Celebrating Jain Society of Houston Pratishtha Mahotsav 1995
JAIN CODE OF CONDUCT by Dr. L. M. Singhvi (Declaration of Nature)
This declaration was presented to His Royal Highness Prince Philip, President of the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature International on 23rd October 1990, at Buckingham Palace.
neither fish, meat, nor eggs. They confine themselves to vegetable and fish products.
4. Self-Restraint and the avoidance of waste
1. The five vratas (vows)
The five vratas (vows) in the Jain code of conduct are: (1) Non-violence in thought, word, and deed; (2) To seek and speak the truth; (3) To behave honestly and take nothing by force or theft; (4) TO practice restraint and chastity in thought, word, and deed; (5) To practice non-acquisitiveness.
By taking the basic vows, the Jain laity endeavor to live a life of moderation and restraint, and to practice a measure of abstinence and austerity. They must not procreate indiscriminately lest they overburden the universe and its resources. Regular periods of fasting for self-purification are encouraged.
The vow of ahimsa is the first and pivotal vow. The other vows may be viewed as aspects of ahimsa, which together form an integrated code of conduct in the individual's quest for equanimity and the three jewels (ratna-traya) of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.
In their use of the earth's resources, Jains take their cue from the 'bee that sucks honey in the blossoms of the tree without hurting the blossom, and strengthens itself.' Wants should be reduced, desires curbed, and consumption levels kept within reasonable limits. Using any resource beyond one's needs and misuse of any part of nature is considered a part of theft.
The vows are undertaken at an austere and exacting 5. Charity level by monks and nuns and are called maha-vratas (great vows). They are undertaken at a more flexible Accumulation of materials and enjoyment for and moderate level by householders and are called personal ends should be minimized. Giving anu-vratas (atomic' or basic vows).
charitable donations and one's time for community,
religious, and social projects generously is a part of a Underlying the Jain code of conduct is the emphatic Jain householder's obligations. That explains why assertion of individual responsibility towards one and the Jain temples and Jain pilgrimage centers are all. Indeed, the entire universe is the forum of one's
well-endowed and well-managed. It is this sense of own conscience. This code is profoundly ecological social obligation that has led Jains to found and in its secular thrust and its practical consequences.
maintain innumerable schools, colleges, hospitals,
clinics, hostels, orphanages, and relief & 2. Kindness to Animals
rehabilitation camps for the old, handicapped, sick,
poor, and disadvantaged. Wealthy individuals are The vow of non-violence include all forms of cruelty advised to recognize that beyond a certain point, to animals and human beings. Jains have their wealth is superfluous to their needs, and that condemned as evil the common practice of animal they should manage the surplus as trustees for sacrifice to the Gods. It is generally forbidden to social benefit. have animals in captivity, to whip, mutilate, or overload them, or to deprive them of adequate food The five fundamental teachings of Jainism and the and drink. The injunction is modified in the case of five-fold Jain code of conduct outlined above are domestic animals to the extent that they may be deeply rooted in ins living ethos in unbroken roped or even whipped ocassionally, but always continuity across the centuries. they offer the world mercifully with due consideration and without anger.
today a time-tested anchor of moral imperatives and
a viable route plan for humanity's common 3. Vegetarianism
pilgrimage for holistic environmental protection,
peace, and harmony in the universe. Except for allowing themselves a judicious use of one-sensed life in the form of vegetables, Jains would not take any life for food or sport. As a community they are strict vegetarians, consuming "The enemy you make now may be the only one to help you 25 years from now"
(Author Unknown)
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