Jainism and Animal Issues 1997

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 42

Jainism and Animal Issues
Jains as Ecologists
Environmentalism for Jiv Daya When I attended the Mahavir Jayanti celebrations this past April,
Alternatives to Disposables I was impressed by how our members came together to produce an excellent program. However, I was saddened by the amount of
As for the problem of disposable plates, bowls, cups, cutlery and waste produced during the meal at the end of the day. After giving
napkins, here are a few options: the matter much thought, and discussing it with several members, 1. Bringing our own plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, and napkins young and old, I am writing this letter to explore what we as a from home. Many associations do this quite successfully. My Society can do about this issue.
family and I have done this at Jain Society functions. We find that The environment is an area of growing concern to everyone:
once it becomes a habit to put the dishes in the car, it is no trouble governments, schools, and businesses are all starting to take this
at all. concern seriously. As Jains, we know how every action which hurts 2. Purchasing our own dishes for the Society, and also an the environment, hurts not only ourselves, but also ruins the earth industrial size dishwasher. If not for the four main functions, we for the voiceless animals who don't have a say in our choices. can buy enough dishes for the monthly Samayik meetings. We can For example, the food we throw away doesn't "disappear" into a
have a rotating schedule of volunteers responsible for cleanups at garbage bag. We all know that the wasted food and unwashed plates
different functions. Just as we take pride in "sponsoring" a Puja for continue to decay, and result in "Jiv uttapan" (bacterial growth) for
an occasion, we can take pride in "sponsoring" Jiv Daya, by wecks afterward. The waste eventually goes into landfills (garbage
volunteering for cleanups and recycling for a Jain event. "dumps") which pollute the water, causing sickness in us and in the 3. Renting out plates for Jain events. I did this in the month of other animals, who all need water to survive. As Jains then, we May, when my family hosted the Samayik, and it worked well. Our should be leaders in reducing waste.
friends helped to rinse the dishes, and we all socialized as we Reducing our Waste
worked.
4. Simplifying our meals. (Or no cooked meals at all, for some We can begin by taking only as much food as we can probably
events? e.g. fruits only at certain events) cat we can always get a second helping later. Let us not forget the wonderful Jain tradition of India, where finishing all the food on
5. Your ideas please! one's plate is considered mandatory and food waste is strictly avoided. This tradition is as important in Canada and America, as
We Can Set an Example in India. In addition, when serving ourselves, we can assist our children
I encourage our Jain Society, especially our youth, to come up with their plates. We can all use the same plates, bowls and cups
with some ideas to reduce waste at our Jain events, and to carry out when we go up for seconds. When buying food and drink items for
solutions. It's our Society. Let's be the first Jain Society to reduce Jain events, we can buy items with minimum packaging, or buy
our waste! Inspired by us, I am confident that other Jain Societies
will follow our lead. items in recydable containers, rather than disposable ones. Also, we can have a rotating schedule of volunteers responsible for recycling
Swati K. Shah at Jain events.
No "Wasteful" Events 1. Handouts - When possible, the handouts should be printed 4. Wasted Eating Utensils, Plates and Cups - When possible, with soy based inks on re-used, recycled or tree-free paper.
reusable items should be used. If the event is held at a facility that 2. Waste in Food Production - Eating lower on the food chain
you own, you can bring your own lightweight plastic dishware,
you own, you can bring your own light is less wasteful in terms of environmental destruction, harm to other
utensils and cloth napkin in a lightweight washable mesh bag, species and harm to our own health. Meals and snacks made with
whenever food is served. A special place could be provided to hang no animal products (vegan) are the least wasteful and most
everyone's clean dishware bag. Each bag should have the owner's compassionate.
name written in permanent ink. If there are too many people to
clean everyone's dishware, then the dishes can be well scraped for 3. Leftover Food Waste - Unused leftover food should be
taking home. Extra bags with dishware could be provided at the distributed to participants, organizers, or local food shelves. The
facility for visitors. leftovers from plates can be collected and composted if there are no animal products in them.
Rac Sikora ("Jivan Sanskar")
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