Jain Spirit 2001 12 No 09

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

Page 30

FEATURES
but for those humans and others who came before them and for all those who, if they were wise enough, will come after. There is no cause more urgent, no dedication more fitting than to protect the future of our species in a peaceful, serene and healthy ecological setting. Humans must recognise that God has given an uplifted face only to them and bade them to stand erect and turn their eyes to heaven while all other animals are prone to fix their gaze upon the earth.
Jain religion has for over 5000 years enshrined this approach in the motto of "Parasparopagraho Jeevanam" meaning that all living organisms irrespective of the degree of their sensory perceptions or size are bound together by mutual support and interdependence. Jain ecological perception views evolution and growth of life in all its splendour and variety on this planet of ours. It is a democratic concept pinning its faith in the sanctity, integrity and equality of souls irrespective of differing forms of living creatures ranging from humans to animals, insects, plants and even miniscule living organisms.
Jain religion prohibits destruction of earth's life support system, which provides for harmonious, balanced and mutually supportive relationship between all life forms and nature. Jain scriptures say: "One who disregards the existence of earth, water, fire, air and vegetation disregards one's own existence which is entwined with them." Mahavir analysed it further by observing: "This instinct of self-preservation is universal. Every animate being wants to live and avoid untimely death. Nobody likes suffering. Therefore do not inflict suffering on anybody. This is non-violence. This is equality. In happiness or suffering, in joy or grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self. We should therefore refrain from inflicting upon others such injury as would be undesirable or unbearable to us and to develop equanimity towards all living beings and elements of nature in this universe."
In Jain culture any ecological
disruption is tantamount to a violent intervention into the well-knit web of universal life. Jain ethics regards misuse of any part of nature as a kind of theft as it deprives life of its inherent autonomy and interdependence. "Take from the Earth only what you
need. The Mother Earth will then be able to serve and support living creatures longer."
In a complete and comprehensive perspective Jainism is ecology and ecology is Jainism. Ecology is the culture of interrelationship among living organisms and their environment. It encompasses the entire universe - the earth, the solar system, sun, moon and stars, the geosphere and hydrosphere, the atmosphere and the biosphere. Living organisms are to co-exist with these forces of nature in an ambience of ahimsa for a peaceful and durable future of the universe.
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Jain Spirit December 2001 February 2002
N.P. Jain making a point at the Victoria and Albert museum in London
The integrated linkage between ahimsa and ecology is reflected all around us. A river does not drink its own water, a cow does not drink its own milk, a tree does not eat its own fruits. Life grows only because of such mutually supportive generosity and understanding. Non-violence in the first place benefits the person practising it and it is up to him to practise it and inspire others to do so. Ahimsa is their duty and not a gesture of generosity. If you are being kind to others, you are benefiting yourself first. purifying your soul.
But in contrast - what have humans done not only to themselves but also to the ecology surrounding them?
"If we can kill the most helpless, the most voiceless, the most defenceless for our profit, for satisfying our taste buds, what will stop us from sending our sons and daughters to war?"
The legacy of the 20th century has been two world wars, any number of local conflicts, bloodshed, armed clashes, torture and terrorism which have taken a heavy toll of innocent lives. Ahimsa has unfortunately been relegated to the background and become damned as a weapon of the coward. Inequality and injustice has been the staple diet of imperialism and dictatorships. Communism has also belied hopes of true socialism and has had its own share of injustices and atrocities against