Book Title: Jains Through Time
Author(s): Shilapi Sadhvi
Publisher: Veerayatan

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Page 266
________________ The Jains through Time Thirdly, and most importantly, birds and Not hurting animals is one thing, but we beasts are worthy of love, affection, and must not turn a blind eye when animals are respect. Until we respect all living things, being tortured, destroyed or cruelly note their different virtues and behave slaughtered. We should stop up this river of towards them as if they were our own blood. Jainism should take a much more children, brothers or colleagues, our active stand in battling cruelty to animals, consciousness will fall short of grasping the whilst also engaging in nurturing and totality of creation. protecting them. 267 By placing the birds and beasts at the feet of The Jain religion befriends the whole world. those it venerates, Jain culture has shown To do this we must learn to love the birds that we should not just be sympathetic and beasts, and teach this love to others. To towards them, but also become active love the birds and beasts is to love creation. partners in protecting and nurturing them. To care for them is to care about our You will ask why the Jains need this responsibility to the environment. In these message, because most Jains do not hurt times of global awakening we must let animals or indulge in violent activities ahimsa manifest itself in the universal form of anyway. This is true, but it is not enough. befriending and defending all forms of life. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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