________________
I think that Jains could make even link between a meat diet and envi- have more attitude in your ahimsa. more money by practicing active ronmental and economic destruction. Some people will be irritated, but at compassion. Profit without morality is For a country that is so overpopulated the end of the day, you will achieve always short lived - they may be rich as India, the last thing we need is much more. For instance, in today, but may become poor tomorrow. animals who destroy our land and America when I asked Jains how Jains are a moral community, but forests purely because they can then many were involved in active are forgetting the principles by be exported as meat to foreign compassion, only the British Young which they became such a strong and countries. This is destroying India. Jains raised their hands. What is the united community. Since they do not Our own people do not have access point of talking about ahimsa if you fully understand their religion and to the food and the land which these do not practice it. I can sit at home appreciate it, they are unable to animals are grazed on. India should and be vegetarian, but for me, that practice it and thereby influence real urgently stop its animal export trade achieves nothing. change in India. Jains should translate altogether, and ban slaughterhouses. their business and financial acumen
One interpretation of Jain philosophy into real power e.g. by controlling In what way can women help is that we cannot do anything to help the stock market. In India, political towards change?
other animals - it is their karma, and power in terms of joining parliament
they have to suffer for it. is meaningless. Real power lies Have a booklet made of all the things amongst the businessmen and the cor- that are non-vegetarian and circulate I think they should apply that porations.
philosophy to their loved ones ...there are very few Young Jains also - why is it that when they How could we effect
fall ill, they fly them to real change in the
America at huge expense to community?
save their life? They should also
stop feeding their children, I think young Jains
because that would interfere should get together
with their karma. This becomes and understand true
an absurd theoretical argument Jainism. At the JAINA
- it is a way of avoiding, a mere convention in
excuse for inaction. Chicago, I felt that young people had these to all Jains. Knowledge is power. such a low opinion of their religion Send it house to house in the wives Maneka Gandhi is founder of 'People that they were willing to pick on any- names, and they will all read it. For for Animals' in India. She can be body to prove the weakness of their example, silk is so cruel, yet women contacted at A4 Maharani Bagh, own religion. Many of them thought wear it. They have to learn to disre- New Delhi, India that Jainism was rubbish - it was not spect it, and happily accept it if they modern or progressive enough. I think can understand the linkages. From my this is very disappointing, and experience, most Jain women in India suggests that Jains need to do a are very ignorant about the extent to lot of work to get their house in which animal products are used in order and really turn into living household goods and food products. ambassadors of Ahimsa.
Once they became aware however, Jina with animals they all began to change.
from Jain Art from India What is your opinion on the current wave of economic liberalisation that What about the repercussions of is sweeping India?
political campaigning. Are you not
afraid of the reactions to your views? It has already had catastrophic consequences, and the situation is I am not embarassed about Ahimsa. getting worse. For example, all the That is the difference. If Jains were new slaughterhouses in India are prouder of what they are, they will financed entirely by Non-Resident automatically effect real change. You Indians, a majority of whom are have to feel proud of your beliefs, Hindus. There is a strong scientific even arrogant if need be. You have to
who have the sense to realise
that Jainism is the most powerful and profound philosophy in the world
July - September 1999. Jain Spirit
49
ain Education international
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
