Jaina Philosophy

Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi, Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: World Jain Confederation

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An Exponent of India's Priceless Cultural Heritage
He says that every living being, from the minutest to the highest-embodied one, is the centre of innumerable activities. In any particular being, these activities determine the stage of its evolution. It has its biological or vital activities-those of drawing the necessary nutritive elements, assimilating them, also of growth and decay, and feeling in a way the influences of the forces of nature. Under certain circumstances and relationships, certain influences act upon it in an uncongenial way; and still, in course of time, it develops a wonderful adaptability.
The chapter 'Science of Eating' is about vegetarianism versus meat-eating. He vociferously argued against nonvegetarianism.
He was an ardent vegetarian and perhaps he was the first vegetarian to set his feet on the American soil. He had obtained special permission from the captain of the ship for a separate kitchen while on his way to England. The magician Nathu Manchha of Mahuva accompanied him as a chef on the ship. In the chapter 'The Science of Eating', he asserts that man by nature is not a meat-eating creature. Animal food, he says, gives rise to animal instincts and a variety of diseases including cancer. Such food is often accompanied by intoxicating drinks. It is better to die a hungry man than to die eating meat. Americans also can convert themselves to vegetarianism, he said. California produces enough grains. He has an interesting thing to say: 'When rice is cooked in the ordinary American fashion, it is cooked till it is paste, which might be very good to paste paper on a wall but is not good to eat.'
He asserts that tea was not a popular drink in India before the British rule. It is water that is a major drink in India. He was surprised to learn that the German advocated drinking beer as water was very scarce. In India it is not so. If anyone touched beer, he/she would have to take a bath. Taking meal before sunset
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