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I have heard about the UK business of The Body Shop' and their ethical achievements. In Ahmedabad, the 'Amul Diary is another revolution - they have set up a co-operative of all the dairy farmers in the area and the milk is collected and pasteurised and distributed centrally. The profits are then distributed to the farmers. This is the basic principle of Jainism. We should not separate our working life from our other life - all our principles are relevant to both and should be practised throughout.
What can business do to achieve prosperity and do the maximum good to the maximum people? We should refrain from businesses which involve violence such as meat or meat products. Instead we should focus on other trades such as law, accountancy, medicine, and minimise violence. There is ample evidence of how wealth creation has brought unhappiness as opposed to prosperity. We should not engage in non-eco-friendly businesses. In America, research has shown that only the eco-friendly corporations have survived more than a hundred years. Mr. Nitin Mehta states that in the UK, all Jains who have entered meat-related trades (such as nursing homes or English grocery) have experienced serious problems. We must engage in business and work that does not damage the environment. I would like you to set up a directory of eco-friendly businesses and professions that could be done by Jains. It would be a landmark achievement, and I think you are capable of it.
In India, holistic medicine is becoming very popular and western medicine (allopathy) has really proven to be unhealthy. Time has come to rise against allopathy - often the medicines give rise to new illnesses. 70% of all illnesses are healed naturally within 3-4 days, if we rest and change our diet. It is said that there are no incurable diseases- only incurable people.
A unique opportunity awaits the Jain community. In India, of the total charity given, 50% comes from the minority Jain community. What a significant achievement. Prosperity comes from giving. Care for the others never produce something which is not useful to others. We should not engage in any business which is artificial e.g. propped up by advertising alone. The advertising culture aims to confuse the needs of the customers - a big crime for society. With respect, the west is nothing but a sunset civilisation. Lord Mahavir's path can create a sunrise civilisation.
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Jaination International
ESC
NOW
To professionals, Jainism requires you to serve with your special skills and not concern yourself with the monetary rewards. If you serve others genuinely, the prosperity is bound to come. That is a law of nature. Unfortunately, we all want power and money. A true professional does not look up but looks down. Looking up there is only competition and aggression, but looking down, there is opportunity to serve and help others. You should endeavour to train ten people so they can prosper on their own.
Instead of competition and conflict, the Indian way strives for co-operation and collaboration. If we do this, our own life will be an example to others. There are five virtues for a successful manager.
1. Be simple. Do not have any sophisticated values and approaches.
2. Be sincere. Say what you mean and mean what you say. 3. Be servant. Aim to serve the customer, and you will pick up the tricks of the trade.
4. Be ready to sacrifice. Do not try and snatch other peoples customers.
5. Be spiritual. Do not forget your religion and your lord.
If you follow these virtues, I guarantee that you will succeed. Try to raise the purity of your own consciousness. In three sentences, the essence of Jainism has been given by Lord Mahavir:
. If you are pure, you will save others and you will save yourself. If you are pure, you will win and let others also win.
. If you are pure, you will live and let others live. Raise the purity of your consciousness and you will be protected. Please claim this Jain heritage and practice it. Experiment with it, and I guarantee in the long term, you will be a winner.
"To raise your standard of living you have to raise your standard of giving"
Mr Shashikant Mehta is a Jain Industrialist and has given lecture tours on Jainism all over the world. He lives in Rajkot, India.
Po
Photos: Vanik Business Group, a highly successful network of Jain entrepreneurs based in London. Further information available from www.vbg.net
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July-September 1999 Jain Spirit
65
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