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Jainism and Animal Issues
pearl. In nature, very few creatures would have to develop such pearls. Therefore the businessmen introduce foreign particles into their body, and force them to develop pearls inside. When ready, they kill them, extract the pearls, and sell them as "artificial" pearls. The larger the foreign particle, the more pain, and larger secretion, and larger pearl, and bigget profit...
By using such materials, we become participants in Pranatipat (killing). Adattadan (stealing), and Parigrah (attachment for accumulation). As Jains, we believe in avoiding all Dravya Himsa (actual violence), as well as Bhav Himsa (psychic violence). So all
the righteous Jains would reject wearing silk, pearls, leather, ivory, and similar clothing and fashion items.
Just as we would not want anyone to take our life or that of our beloved ones, we shall not take or encourage anyone else to take the lives of others too. As Jains, we should live simple lives, without any showing off. We should not wear any fashion item that involves taking life. If we cannot give life, we should not take it either.
Chandubhai Morbia
Education and Medicine
What about vivisection? Do the Jains accept this
for improved human health? What is the Jain perspective? Does Jainism condone the use of animals for educational and laboratory
experimental purposes? As all these actions involve cold blooded preplanned killing, they are not condoned by Jainism. Human health can be improved by many ways: a healthy vegetarian dict, exercise, sanitation, yoga and prayers. These are only a few to mention. It is a lot easier to prevent cancer, heart disease, etc. in the first place, then to find cures for them later.
Narendra Sheth
and shelter to the old, sick, and homeless humans and animals; and arranged for animal releases from slaughterhouses.
A Jain's priority would be to uplift his/her soul and while doing so he/she will avoid hurting animals and lower creatures to the maximum possible way. Jains would also bring awareness in others that we should not make innocent, helpless animals suffer for our selfish needs. Jains would not neglect animal suffering until all the human suffering is over. Humans tend to solve one problem, while creating two new! (For example, by cating mcat etc. humans have caused cancer and heart ailments. Should we sacrifice animals for experimentation for different drugs for such diseases?) It can take forever, leaving poor helpless animals to suffer. It would be unfair. The animals cannot speak for themselves, so we must speak up for them.
Chandubhai Morbia
What is the Jain view of using animal organs for
transplants for humans?
How do the Jains keep their priorities straight? Are they more concerned about animals than all
these critical problems related to people?
Balancing the priorities between suffering animals and suffering human beings is not difficult. Especially with the Jain philosophy.
According to Jainism, all living beings have souls, having equal potential to achieve ultimately the highest state of "Moksha." Besides, the animals in question here are Panchendriya (having all five senses), capable of feeling all the pains like we humans.
Therefore, the Jains have always lived their lives with equal compassion for animals as well as for humans. As vegetarians, they have enjoyed health equal or better than that of the nonvegetarians. They have avoided involvement in businesses that are harmful to animals, and yet prospered much above the average. They have built hospitals for humans, as well as for animals; provided food
It is a big "NO." Because in that, an animal is forced to give away an organ, without its consent. And after that the animal is destroyed. That is killing. The essential principle of nonviolence, "Live and let live" is broken.
If we do not hesitate from taking away body parts from an animal now, our greed would take us further to the next step, and someday we would start taking parts from poor human beings also. An organ transplant should be performed only when it is done by free choice from both the parties involved. Because animals do not speak a human language to express their desires, they should not be forced to give away their lives.
The Jain view is clear. Destroying one life to save another is not justified. It carries Karmic consequences.
Chandubhai Morbia
Jain Education Intemational 2010_03
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