Science And Jain Philosophy

Author(s): Raksha J Shah, Abhijit Muni, Pooja Banthia
Publisher: International Conference on Science and Jain Philosophy

Page 173

NEED TO MAKE A PLAN TO PROPAGATE THE CONCEPT OF
NON-VIOLENCE TO ONE BILLION
PEOPLE IN ONE YEAR
DR. SURENDRA SINGH POKHARNA sspokharna15@yahoo.com
Dr. S. S. Pokharna, Former Scientist, Indian Space Research Organization is a Consultant at Hitech Outsourcing Services, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. He is also the Advisor of Bhagawan Mahavir International Center, Ladnun, Rajasthan, India.
If we look at the state of our planet as on today then we find that half of the animals in the world have disappeared since last 40 years. It is because of uncontrollable human expansion. A report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has found that populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish have declined on average by 52 per cent in the last 40 years (1970-2010). And for freshwater creatures the situation is even bleaker, with population collapse of more than three quarters over the same period. Almost the entire decline is due to human activity, through habitat loss, deforestation, climate change, over-fishing and hunting (Reference 2). If this is not adequate enough to shock the human soul, there is another heart burning news, and it that every year, we are losing almost 25000 biological species (Reference 3). But this again only one side of the coin. We also observe a large increase in terrorist activities and sense less violence in daily life in many countries in the recent times, including attacks on women etc. An increase in ill feelings towards competitors and even fellow beings can be also observed these days. There is another side of the issue. It is damage done to the environment by eating nonvegetarian food. Here are some real facts which showcase that how "meat production" is affecting overall ecosystem and environment It shows that land area required to produce non-vegetarian food and water is about 10 times and about 20 times more respectively than what is required for producing the same amount of vegetarian food. (Reference 5).
In this scenerio, the Jain concept of non-violence can play an important role in bringing about a substantial positive change in this situation, since Jainism talks to protect not only human beings but also all living beings in the world. Not only this, Jainism also talks of not to even hurt the feelings of any living beings in the world. It goes even further and say one should not inuolue in any action or even directly or indirectly support any activity which hurts any living being or their feelings. Hence in view of the above developments, there is a need to propagate the concept of non-violence on a large scale in the whole world and educate the people about its importance. Now the United Nations Organization (UNO) has declared October 2, the birth day of Mahatma Gandhi as an International Non-violence Day in June 15, 2007. There is a need to celebrate October 2 as an International non-violence day in 192 member countries of UN in particular to make the people aware of these issues and an overall improvement in world's environment.
As Gandhiji learned the concept of non-violence from Shrimad Raj Chandji, a great Jain saint and also Jainism has put maximum emphasis on non-violence, so it is responsibility of the Jain community to take a big lead in this direction.
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