Lighthouse

Author(s): Udayvallabhvijay
Publisher: Pragna Prabodh Parivar

Page 78

inhuman). People who come out vehemently against a child taking deeksha, conveniently ignore the fact of young children being employed in cracker factories and even losing their lives in fires. On one hand people talk of global warming, environment, animal welfare, promoting eco-friendly and child labour free products, having compassion towards others etc. etc. and on the other hand have no compunction to blow all these up with fire crackers for momentary enjoyment. If this is not hypocrisy what else is it? One cannot be against innocent enjoyment. However, a thing which (i) while being manufactured (ii) after being manufactured (in the process of being sold), (iii) while bursting and (iv) after bursting is harmful for human beings, animals and environment, deserves to be abandoned. It is not a sacrifice but a duty. If it is alleged that except for Jains practically no one else opposes crackers, then one should feel like honouring the more than average stature of Jainism rather than criticizing it. Dharma is definitely not against happiness. However, if such momentary happiness is sought by inflicting disproportionate sufferings on others, no human being would support such happiness and Dharma would definitely will not support it. Whether bursting of crackers is an enjoyment or an act of creating extreme fear – this needs to be examined before talking of innocent enjoyment. No celebration should be harmful for any human being, any animal or environment. The reasons behind opposition to burst crackers spread from safety of living beings to the higher pedestal of its effects on one's spiritual emancipation.
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