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Jain's Nonviolent Perspective of Human Survival : 105
Problem:
The continuing degradation of environment and depletion of life supporting natural resources by exploding population and its reckless consumerism are matter of serious concern. The most harmful impact of industrialization is that it is triggering consumerism more and more and to meet the increasing demands more and more industries are coming up, which further triggers consumerism and the vicious cycle is going on. Now it is doubleedged sword i.e. of population increase and consumerism that is cutting ruthlessly the very fabric of environment safety. In this state, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil, which produces our food, are getting more and more polluted. The only way out of this vicious cycle of environment pollution lies in Jain's nonviolent life-style which triggers mankind towards the nonviolent perspective of ecology, eco-friendly human survival. The Concept of Interdependence
The right perspective of ecology is enshrined in the Jaina motto of "parasparopagraho-jīvānām"2 as quoted in the Tattvārtha Sūtra which highlights that all living organisms, however big or small, irrespective of the degree of their sensory perceptions, are bound together by mutual support and interdependence. They are and should remain in a harmonious and judicious balance with nature.
Man is a social animal, so man and nature are so inter-woven with each other into the social fabric that there is a common thread, which binds us all. Many examples can be cited in this regard, which highlight mutual supportive relationship between all life forms and nature. Wherever one looks in nature, he seems to see evidence of 'balance', carnivores eat herbivores, herbivores eat plant; all of them die, rot and feed the plants again. If the plants increase, the herbivores will multiply too, but if they multiply too much, they over-stretch the plants and their numbers fall again. Perfect balance indeed. If any one component of a food chain is disrupted, then all the other creatures that are part of it must adjust. Some will suffer, though others may flourish, at-least temporarily.* It has also been proved scientifically that there is the cosmic bond, which had tied each living being in one chain.' Even genetic fact
