Spiritual Code and Restraints

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 49

may also contain eggs of minute insects. Eating such berries is therefore considered as involving too much violence and is forbidden by this restraint. Moreover, such tiny berries do not satisfy the appetite. Eating such materials thus involves unnecessary violence that can safely be avoided. Jainism therefore treats such articles as uneatable.
Jainism divides the entire plant life in two categories of 1) uniorganic meaning those having one soul each and 2) multiorganic meaning those having multiple souls within one body. Jain tradition considers all the edible roots like potatoes, turnips, radish, carrots, balbus, beets, onions, garlic etc. as multiorganic having innumerable souls. This may seem controversial from the scientific view point. It is, however, a fact that potatoes have several set-in eyes and one potato plant can be raised out of each eye. Moreover, extracting such products out of the ground does result in killing of symbiotic microorganism that grows and survives interdependent with the roots. The extraction process thus involves too much violence. Jain tradition therefore urges its followers to desist from eating such roots. As such, the staunch Jains avoid eating the roots and root products.
The traditional belief in this respect, however, does not seem to be uniformly or consistently observed. There are Jain religious organizations like Virayatan, which do not consider it objectionable to use roots and root products. Moreover, even the staunch Jains, who do not eat potato and other roots, do consume dried ginger, turmeric etc. Their logic is that such dried products are devoid of life and can therefore be consumed. On that analogy, however, there cannot be any objection even to eating dehydrated potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic etc. Really speaking, extraction from the ground seems to be playing a major role in causing violence. The product being green or dry cannot make significant difference. The traditional approach seems to be based on the prevailing belief about green and sun-dried vegetables. It is not known whether this aspect has been scientifically examined. It would therefore be appreciated, if knowledgeable persons share their findings in this matter.
It is not intended to discuss here other inconsistencies that prevail relating to peanut, eggplant etc. Suffice it to state that the approach about the eating or not eating certain vegetables has not been uniform. The people should therefore need to decide which vegetables they should avoid and take suitable vow for the purpose. Lapses in observation of such a vow should be treated as transgression of this restraint.
Traditionally, this restraint also lays down five types of transgressions in respect of food, viz. i) eating the articles that are under impact of live life, ii) eating the forbidden articles, iii) eating unripe or uncooked articles, iv) eating partially ripe or partially cooked articles, and v) eating the articles having little or no food value. Persons observing this restraint should avoid such transgressions and atone for the transgressions that they happen to indulge in.
In addition to food, this restraint also deals with trades and avocations that involve too much violence. Following 15 occupations are considered highly violent and this restraint urges to avoid the same.