Jain Spirit 1999 10 No 02

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 47

INTERVIEWS
STAND UP FOR YOUR BELIEFS
Ingrid Newkirk
46
he founder of one of the
Tlargest animal rights organisa
tions in North America, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), talks to Jain Spirit about upholding traditional values of caring and sharing for all life.
I was drawn to animals from my earliest memories. I remember going to the Taj Mahal for the first time. My parents took everyone inside but I couldn't go in. I was mesmerised by the chipmunks and couldn't leave them. I have always been completely consumed by animals, what they are thinking and what we are doing to them. And all of my life I have
...all of my life I have wanted
wanted to be a Jain. I was exposed to Jainism at a very early age and it was the first thing that resonated with my inner heart. No matter what politicians say about world peace, Jainism has that reverence and if you practice it as much as you can it makes all the difference in the world. I don't believe
Jain Spirit. Jain Education International 2010_03
that we are going to have a very harmonious planet because there are so many awful things happening all the time to people, to animals, to the Earth. But, one can strive and I think that if you were to pick any one thing it would be the principles of Jainism.
The number one principle is the belief in non-violence, ahimsa, and of course through that vegetarianism. I find
that it isn't just a small part of the beliefs. There is no non-violent way to kill an animal. A knife, or a pole, or a decapitator is a tool of violence so the whole tenet of non-violence, of vegetarianism is very strong. Also Jains are very charitable. I have been to Jain hospitals in India and Jain bird sanctuaries, cow sanctuaries, wildlife stations, homes for the aged or poor, and this idea of putting effort and money back into the community and looking after those less fortunate and being aware of suffering is wonderful. I think the caring community of Jainism is invaluable. There is a tremendous spirit of community and co-operation. This is desperately needed in
to be a Jain...
modern society,
where everyone
is locked in their cars and their high rises and the sense of community has eroded so badly.
I have always been a fighting sort of person when it comes to injustice. It angers me; I have to do something about it. It is not always comfortable
October December 1999
to speak up. Somebody could be laughing at what you say or making fun of your concepts when in fact what you have said is true. It does take strength to speak up. In fact the real bullies in this world are the people that feel insecure and the people that have to take out their inadequacies by tormenting, and overcoming, and dominating those that are not strong. All these are bully tactics and there is nothing courageous about them. But we must have courage.
The person who speaks first is the one that the others will follow. So if we, the kind people, are the first people to speak up, to say please stop doing that, or please understand why such an action is right or wrong, other people will listen. When you speak up you find that other people agree with you; maybe not all of them, but you will find that people will say, "Thank you, I wanted to say that too but I did not have the courage." And really what does it matter if some people laugh at you, if you know what you are saying could contribute to a better