Book Title: Jainism The Cosmic Vision
Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Mahavir Foundation

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Page 34
________________ Jainism: The Cosmic Vision consideration and companionship for every living creature on this earth. Acharya Haribhadrasuri rightly says, the feeling of lasting consideration and companionship for others generates sacred feelings in our soul. This kind of consideration and feelings of companionship for every living organism on this earth leads one to practice sentimental and emotional closeness not only with human beings, not only with flora and fauna, but also with the earth, air and water, inspiring one to practice nonviolence towards every creature. The Jain Agam Acharang Sutra while describing the ideology of the Jain religion viz-a-viz all the living organisms in the universe states that every organism possesses the inborn craving for sustained existence and, therefore, has a natural love and affection for its own life, every being craves for happiness, wants to be away from pain and agony and hence a prudent man never takes the life of others. Thus what one detests for oneself should be considered by him detestful for others also and when that is so, one should not inflict pain on others. Compassion Towards Animals indulging in violence against any living organism would be severely dealt with. He saw that even butchers gave up the profession of slaughtering animals for earning their bread. He asked them to take food from the Government kitchen, if they did not have any alternative source of living. Inspired by this, even the neighbouring kingdoms also followed the footsteps of King Kumarpal. They, too, prohibited sacrificing or killing of animals wherever it was don animals wherever it was done in the name of survival of the self or religion or festivities. The slaughter houses run in their respective kingdoms were also ordered to be closed by the kings. The sacrifice of animals in the name of religion that was being practised in the temple of Goddess Kantkeshwari was also banned by the ruler. That is why Kumarpal finds a lasting place in history as an ideal ruler. The meaning is clear. Bringing the animals in this world through artificial insemination, raising them in confined space and under artificial environment, forcing them to eat food that is full of hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals, depriving them of natural life, inflicting upon them the pain of cruel experiments and killing them at an early age-all of these are considered sinful acts and must be avoided, as preached by Jainism. True non-violence is one which inspires us to make a ceaseless effort for seeking the happiness of the whole universe through deeds, thoughts and words. That is why the ruler of Gujarat, Kumarpal who occupied the throne in 1143 had said, the biggest sin in our life is to commit violence towards other living organisms. No one should be benefitted by committing an act of violence on others. Inspired by his Guru Hemchandracharya, Kumarpal pronounced Ahimsa (Amari) as his cult. This probably must be the first declaration of non-violence on this earth. He prohibited animal slaughter and declared that anyone It goes further. Performing or consenting to such acts is also considered equally sinful. The sale of animal flesh, leather, ivory or anything that harms animals directly or indirectly is also undesirable, according to the same sutra. Those, who inflict pain on animals, suffer karmic punishment i.e. punishment for their sinful deeds. For instance,

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