Pristine Jainism

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 75

(72) : Pristine Jainism life form. Those with only one sense of touch (Sparsa) are Earth (including all types of minerals in undetached-form), Air, Water, Fire and Plants (vegetation). Next category is of those with two senses of touch (Sparsa) and taste (Rasana) such as larvae. The third category has three senses of touch, taste and smell (Ghrāņa) such as ants. The fourth category has four senses of touch, taste, smell and sight or vision (Cakṣu) as bees. The fifth category has all the five senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing (Karna) such as animals, human beings etc. According to prevailing interpretation the more the number of senses, greater is the pain, callousness and hardening of heart in killing or harming. Monks or saints are required to abnegate violence to any life form. The house holders in agriculture based model (which replaced original forest based model) can not do without some injury (violence) to life forms with one sense viz earth, air, water, fire and plants. However, there are well-defined rules so that harm (violence) is minimum. Use of water, minerals, fire, plants should be as frugal as possible. Violence with intention (Sankalpihiṁsā) and through carelessness (Pramāda) is strictly prohibited. Carelessness and laziness which includes laissez faire attitude (Pramāda) which also means lack of systematic, disciplined, simple, frugal ands regular life style is considered the greatest sin as it is the root cause of avoidable violence, many wrong doings, consumerism, waste, pollution etc.
Jaina house holders are forbidden consumption of five types of ficus fruits e.g. of pipala, bara etc. and also meat, wine and honey. Ficus fruits are widely eaten by variety of birds and insects, which are vital agents for pollination in plant kingdom. Likewise, honeybees are most active agents for pollination. Without these agents there will be no fruiting, seeding in plants and would adversely affect the production of food essential for survival of animals and humans both herbivorous and carnivorous. The carnivora though prey and feed on animals but such prey is herbivorous and survive on plants. This prescription thus not only minimises violence but also promotes and preserves symbiotic model.