________________
sustaining activities. This "himsă” is termed as “Årambhjā
Himsā”. Its stickiness of Karmic bond is of second grade. iii) Our common sense constantly reminds us to minimize or
eliminate the wasteful himsã. This compulsion drives us to use boiled or dhovana water. Our humbleness and helplessness towards such living-beings enhance our inner human values. Otherwise one may tend to become reckless towards natural resources, and may pause a serious threat to the ecological
balance. Q. 20:-Aglass of water is taken directly from the tap for drinking or
other purpose. At the most, care is taken to put a filter cloth or device on the tap to remove carefully the macro mobile living-beings from the tap water. We do not require water to be stored for us. Hence we do not bear any liability for the
himsã. A 20:- In the above situation of not having any water pot, the water
comes either from an overhead tank or from some other reservoir. One is always aware and sure that water would be available in the house, whenever the need arises for it. It means the whole system of pipes etc. works as storage for the user. In resorting to storage, there is a known limit of water for one's use. One becomes limit-setting shrävaka by habit and design. When there is no alertness and unlimited water remains at one's disposal, one is categorized as no limit-setting shravaka. As per Ågamas, limit-setting shrãvaka (Vrati) carries far lesser liabilities for himsă. Moreover, one using direct tap water without resorting to a limited storage of it becomes liable for killing of unlimited water-beings in the piping system, for which one has 'attachment' and ownership. This situation may also apply to all systems of public taps, if water from it, is not
separately stored and consumed. Q. 21:- We are using Aqua-guard water purification unit. This unit
uses carbon granules and filter candle and dispenses water, which is free from bacteria and other harmful substances. This purification process should thus transform the water into nonliving water!
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
