Jaina Path of Ahimsa

Author(s): Vilas Sangve
Publisher: Bhagwan Mahavir Research Centre

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The Jaina Path Of Ahimsā
occupations, it is no wonder that a large proportion of mercantile wealth of India passes through their hands. Apart from occupatiuns, Jainas have taken to professions also. They are found mainly in legal, medical, engineering and teaching professions and nowadays many Jainas are holding important responsible positions in various departments of the Central and State Governments.
(2) Food and Drink.
The Jainas are very particular regarding their food and drink. Since the ethical code of the Jainas is based on the main principle of Ahimsu, we find its thorough application in the matters of food and drink also. It has already been noticed that every householder is required to possess Ashta Malagunas or eight fundamental virtues which are the observance of the five aņuvratas and abstinerce from the use of flesh, wine and honey. The injunction against eating flesh of any living being is quite obvious.. The Jainas do not take food which involves the slaughter of animals, fishes, birds, or anything that has five or less sense-organs. That is why they have to abstain from eating Kandamūlas, that is, underground stems and roots like potatoes. onions, garlic, reddish, turnip, carrot, beet-roots etc. which are supposed to contain a multitude of small insects. Similarly, they must not eat fruits of Gular, Anjeer, Pipal, Pakar and Banyan which are the birth places of mobile beings. Further, it is necessary for a Jaina to take his meals during daytime because Hissa is in enevitable when food is prepared or taken in the absence of sunlight. Therefore the Jainas have to renounce night-eating throughout the year and those who cannot do so all the time, at least do it during the Chăturmāsa or the four months of rainy season when there is a large growth of insects. Again, the Jainas are required to wipe most carefully anything that is to be used for food, with a view to exclude as tenderly as possible any of the tiny living creatures which might be found in or on it. In the same way as a precautionary measure in avoiding injury to very small living beings, the Jainas have been enjoined to strain or filter water, milk, juice, or any liquid drink before use. It must be said to the credit of the Jainas that they do observe very scrupulously all these rules regarding food. It is the outstanding feature of Jainas throughout India that they are strictly vegetarians, never eat at night, and always use strained water. It is said that when a Jaina traveller wishes to quench his thirst at a tank or stream, he covers his mouth with cloth, stoops down, and thus drinks by suction. This cleanly custom is highly recommended for use everywhere.