Book Title: Pristine Jainism
Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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Page 101
________________ (98) 43 Pristine Jainism of innate strength, capabilities and efforts, it is necessary to understand this aspect in wider and overall perspective. For a Jaina who sincerely wants to pursue principles, vows, tenets, injunctions of Jainism, congenial environment is necessary. For example the practice of agriculture involves considerable violence and more so in the modern high-tech agriculture. The use of pesticides is deliberate with the intention of killing the insect pests. It is outright intentional (Sankalpi). Even if one is not doing cultivation he is using the produce from such intentionally violent practices and is therefore guilty of the violence involved. In Jainism the guilt is three-fold whether one does it, asks or encourages others to do it or even only approves or acquiesces it. It is not like Buddhism where the saints take meat on the pretext that they do not kill and someone else kills. Jainism does not permit such pretexts. However, the majority of Jainas including saints are at least acquiescing the violence in agriculture. Like Buddhists, Jaina householders and saints have been inventing pretexts such that they are not doing or that they are helpless. Saints adopt the pretext that they take the meals on the explicit declaration by householders that preparations are pure without any violent means. Saints very well know that the constituents of their meals are produced by violent processes and practices. Such false pleas are not acceptable in Jainism yet they are being blatantly approved and adopted. It is only in forest (Kalpavṛkṣa) based model that Jainism can be practised in letter and spirit. It is not difficult to revive the kalpavṛkṣas. It is possible with effort and determination. If Jains are sincere about pursuing the tenets of Jainism, they should take the lead and others will follow the perfectly symbiotic model, which is free from all sorts of violence, exploitation and harm to any one. If Jains do not adopt it they are hypocrites like others regarding non-violence and other precepts of the great Tirthankaras, renowned saints and scholars. Parapsychological Studies about Soul: There have been numerous attempts and Parapsychological studies on rebirth etc from time to time and about the existence of soul in India, Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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