Jaina Biology

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 16

Introduction
Inter-relations of Organism and Environment :
A careful study of communities of plants and animals in a given area as described in the Jaina Āgamas leads to the generalization that all living beings in a given region are closely interrelated with one another and with the environment.
It includes the idea that particular kinds of plants and animals are not found at random over the earth but occur in interdependent communities of producer, consumer and decomposer-organisins together with certain non-living components. These communities can be recognized and characterized by certain dominant members of the group, usually plants, which provide both food 29 and shelter for many other forms. This eco-system is one of the major unifying generalizations of Biology. These few biological principles given here are intended to emphasize the fundamental unity of Jaina biological science and the many ways in which living substances are interrelated and interdepedent.
Like all ancient people, the Jainas lived in close association with nature and made a scientific study of the world of life, plants and animals, by careful observations on their lives, activities and properties, etc., over a long period of time. The result of their discoveries as embodied in the Agamas is couducive to further studies of the problems and mysteries of the world of life on the basis of new information and further revisions of some of these principles.
29. Bhagavati Sūtra, 6. 7. 246; 6. 5. 330; 7. 3. 277; 8. 3. 324; 8. 5. 330; 21. 2. 691.
22. 6. 692; 23. 1. 993; etc.; Sūtrakrțānga II. 3.