Navin Shamji Dedhia
Jaina Convention
Federation of Jain Associations In North America
Jainism & Ecology
 Navin Shamji Dedhia Navin S. Dedhia is a former President of the Jain Center of Northern Californiain Milpitas. He resides at 5080 Bougainvillea Drive, San Jose, California 95111 |
Summary:
Jainism and ecology are both related. Environment conservation and preservation are part of the Jain religion principles. Jains have always supported and preserved the environment with their practices and philosophies. In this article Jain principles and it application in the day-to- day activities to preserve the environment are explored.
Introduction:
Ecology is a science of the interaction and relationships between living organisms and their environment. Our body is made up of the following five key elements (Panch Maha Bhuta):
- Earth (Prathvi)
- Water (Jal or Pani)
- Air (Vayu)
- Fire (Agni)
- Space (Akash)
All five elements are connected with our activities in a number of ways. We, human beings, are to be blamed to contaminate or pollute the environment (air, water, earth) with harmful substances knowingly or unknowingly. Today there is a great concern for air, water, earth, noise and magnetic pollution and efforts are aimed at conservation and preservation.
The Sanskrit word for religion is Dharma, which literally means nature of thing. Another meaning of the word Dharma is duty. Religion teaches us to understand and realize our true nature. It also reminds us of our duties. Religion is the means for advancement leading to the utmost happiness. One, which can show humanity, is religion. Religion essentially is the science of living - supporting and sustaining life. These features are common to all religions while there are other characteristics that distinguish Jainism from other religion. Jain religion is unique in this sense. Jain religion supports the scientific and practical principles. Nine elements (Nav Tatva) and six matters (Dravya) are real essence of Jainism describing unseen, unimaginable and unthinkable matters of physics. It teaches us to find practical solutions by examining each situation, problem or concept from a variety of viewpoints. Freedom in all spheres of life, open enterprise and competition has resulted in serious adverse impact on the environment. A rampant greed, pursuit of materialism and sensual pleasures have impacted environment severely. Our Teerthankars foresaw the impact of pollution on the environment and human beings. They laid out the basic principles of Jainism to preserve and conserve the world resources.
The five great vows as laid out by Bhagwan Mahavir, our 24th Teerthankar are:
Ahimsa or Nonviolence (in thoughts, speech and physical act)
- Achaurya or Non-stealing
- Satya or Truth
- Brahmcharya or Celebacy (controlling sex, sensual, pleasurable desires and wants)
- Aparigraha or Non-accumulation or non-possessiveness (learn to be content and living simply with fewer worldly items)
Out of these five great vows Ahimsa (Nonviolence) and Aprigraha are directly connected to ecology.
Ahimsa or Nonviolence:
The doctrine of Ahimsa or Nonviolence encompasses both human and non- human (plant and animal) lives. It also embraces non-living entities like lakes, swamps and all ecosystems that can be damaged by various human activities. Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. Jains believe they are accountable to the nature and by spiritual biological inference to themselves, to their families and to their community. As a viable model for ecological thinking, Jainism promotes a constant expansion of limits of compassion. For Jains, ecology is as much about action identifying and solving problems, as it is about introspection. Ecologically, Jainism is thus about stewardship, requiring human diligence, human conscience and human love. Ecological principles of Jain philosophy are to conserve and preserve our environment through the principle of nonviolence.
According to Jainism, all living beings have souls and all souls are potentially equal. Jains respect all life. Living beings depend on each other and on nature - their environment. Each species has its unique place and role in the scheme of things. Thus all life is sacred. All living-beings are entitled to live under the principle of "Live and let live". According to the Jainism all living beings are equal. It means killing of any kind of living being is prohibited. Maintain the natural balance by following the principle "Live and let live" as all lives are interdependent. Do not deforest the jungles by cutting trees. "Your feet are killing us" is a cry from the grass.
Jains have believed in not plucking the flowers from the plants. Naturally fallen flowers on the ground under the plant may be offered to the God during the Pooja.
Many Jains do not eat vegetables and plants during certain days of the month, such as Atham, Chaudash (8th or 14th days of moon cycle) days. Jains also eat prior to sunset as insects can fall in the food after it gets dark.
Water contains many lives and supports many lives. Hence, Jains are required to use water sparingly. Unnecessary use of water is to be avoided. Using only required quantity of water is advised. Dish washing with water running is against teachings. Dish washing in a bucket is recommended. Similarly, water needs to be conserved while taking shower. Minimizing water usage is an ideal way to follow the principle. Care has to be taken while dumping any kind of liquid as it may kill the living organisms. Acidsor other wastes from the factory processes should not be released to the streams or rivers.
Killing of endangered species has been against the law. Protection and preservation of endangered species are encouraged.
Natural ecological balance is maintained by observing the principle of Ahimsa as killing of living-beings and uprooting of plants disturb ecosystem.
Aparigraha or Non-accumulation or non-possessiveness:
Jainism believes in having only needed items in possession. Collecting unneeded additional items like clothes, household material, consumables is a stress on the environment. If less are items are accumulated, it becomes easier to organize them. Accumulation comes with greed. Greed and unsatisfaction support more accumulation, it may sound against the principle of modern economy. Economy thrives on more buying and consumption. Jainism believes in saving the environment with less consumption. That means less production and fewer burdens on environment.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO):
Organizations of all kinds are increasingly concerned to achieve and demonstrate sound environmental performance by controlling the impact of their activities, products or services on the environment. They do so in the context of increasingly stringent legislation, the development of economic policies and other measures to foster environmental protection and a growth of concern from everywhere.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is worldwide federation of national bodies (ISO member bodies), which has published ISO 14001- 1996 Standard on the "Environmental Management Systems - Specification with guidance for use". The standard specifies requirements for an environmental management system, to enable organization to formulate a policy and objectives for managing surroundings in which an organization operates including air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans, and their interrelation.
Conclusion:
Jainism is not about miracles, or heroism, but practical solution to the environmental pollution problem. Jainism proposes solutions appropriate to me times. Conserve, preserve, reduce, reuse, recycle and recover principies are part of the Jain philosophy. Jains have long ago worked out the sound principles of hygiene, compassionate diet and conservation, all under the principle of non-violence. Solutions to the present day ecological problems are available by following Jain philosophy of conservation, non-violence and non-accumulation. Practicing virtues such as nonviolence, and non- possessiveness is the preferred way for our own well-being, to improve the self, the society and the world. Jainism emphasizes supreme nonviolence. Self-improvement is the first thing in Jainism. Selfishness, greed and violence have no place in minds of true Jains. It is required to show generosity and compassionate nature to other living beings. Lessons of love, humanity and caring for others are taught in Jainism. Animal rights issue is connected with vegetarianism. Killing, directly or indirectly, is the worst of all toxins, the first and last violation of the ecological system. Living in peace and harmony with all living beings and with nature is essential for the well- being.
We see that the international business community is equally concerned with the present day environment. Jain community can help to communicate the initiations taken by the International Environmental Management System Standards, Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Protection Watchdog groups and laws of prohibition to kill endangered species.
Purity of environment will bring purity of mind. Purity of mind will make a nation to progress. Jainism provides practical solutions for mankind to follow and live. Jainism is a religion of love and dharma of truth. We learn love, compassion and respect for all living beings, big and small, from Jainism.
Several Jain practices such as the vow of non-possessiveness (Aparigraha) and the vow of avoiding non-essential activities and endeavors help us to preserve the environment. This is the basis for the Jain teaching of nonviolence. The Jain practice of vegetarianism not only helps us to avoid unnecessary violence but also helps in preserving the ecosystems.