Medieval Jainism

Author(s): P S Jain, R M Lodha
Publisher: Ashish Publishing House

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environment. The heart, mind, and character of the people have been transformed by the pollution of air, water and earth. The problem of pollution is not likely to be solved only by external measures. Man's thinking and attitudes have to be changed. The doctrines of Jainism can be effective in bringing about this change. An intimate relationship between Jainism and the process of preservation of environment can and should be established.
Jainism lays great emphasis on simplicity in life and exhorts people to use minimum commodities for the maintenance of life. It prohibits killing of living creatures for obtaining even these minimum necessities. Jain literature is replete with examples of piety and preservation of life. Tirthankars and Jain ‘munis' have preached love, non-violence, and renunciation of 'Trishna' (passion). The fundamental concept underlying the doctrines of Jainism is 'live and let live'. The notion helps in the preservation of environment.
The department of Jainology and Prakrit of this university successfully organised a national level U.G.C. Seminar on “The Role of Jainism in the Protection of National Culture and Environment”. Research papers presented in the seminar are now being published in book form. They highlight the role of Jainism in the world-wide problem of environmental conservation. Dr. Prem Suman Jain, the Director of the Seminar and Editor of this book, is himself a renowned scholar of Jainism and Prakrit literature. Dr. R.M. Lodha, Associate Professor of Geography, and expert on environmental studies, has given valuable co-operation in the editing work of this book.