Jain Spirit 1999 10 No 02

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

Page 49

INTERVIEWS f qu bn 12
Animals living in harmony with nature
community of friends and in their women's groups. So even in the most traditional roles they are the educators, the providers, the nurturers and they have enormous influence.
orge you to read this book and vow is de one thing every day sh
will being life to being who would berwise die."
You Can Save the Animals
48 Jain Spirit.
251 Simple Ways to Stop Thoughtless Cruelty
October
YOU CAN SAVE THE ANIMALS
251 Simple Ways to Stop Thoughtless Cruelty
By Ingrid Newkirk
Prima Publishing, 1999, www.primalife.com, US$14.95. ISBN 0-7615-1673-5
This new simple and informative 260-page book is a must for the library of every Jain family. It provides detailed information about all aspects of animal life and human cruelty, with practical suggestions about what we can do to reduce such needless cruelty. There are chapters on the beautiful qualities of animals; hunting: pets; laboratory animals; animal ingredients in consumable products; dissection; and detailed appendices packed with information on videos and audiotapes, websites and recommended products. Ingrid Newkirk has provided a beautiful translation of ahimsa (non-violence) and jiv daya (animal compassion) in the modern day, and how it can be practised in our relationship with animals. Practical examples and information tell us how to change public opinion; switch to clothing and cosmetics without cruelty: buy from companies that don't test on animals or use animal
Ingrid Newkirk People the El Treatment of R
Foreword by Bill Maher, host of ABC Politically Incorrect
I believe it is vital to start by being honest with children. Sometimes we lie to children to protect them, even though in their young hearts they are asking all the right questions. Why are we eating these animals that could be our friends or that we could at least respect and leave alone? I think that, if parents are honest with their children, they can't defend fishing, hunting, killing animals for food. Especially in a culture where you have every conceivable taste on offer in the supermarket or the health food store. Tofu ice-cream, soya margarine, rice or almond or soya milk. You can explain to them why we don't eat animals, and why we do not harm other creatures at all. They must appreciate that there are always alternatives which are caring and compassionate. The children will grow up with such respect that in the end they will always remember that they learnt the most important things in life from the family.
ingredients; eat healthfully and compassionately; adopt animals from
a local shelter or pound instead of supporting pet stores. Michael Tobias comments: "Ingrid Newkirk is one of the most important voices for compassion of the twentieth century. This new book reflects the wisdom, urgency and pragmatism of her message. Read it and share it with your friends. Learn to live by its message."
December 1999
www.jainelibrary.or