Jainism & Environment a precursor to modern day ecology

1. Jainism & Environmenta precursor to modern day ecology

2. A profound truth for all times “One who neglects or disregards the existence of earth, air, fire, water and vegetation, disregards his own existence which is entwined with them” - Lord Mahavir (599-527 BC)

3. The ancient Jain scriptural aphorism • Parasparopgraho Jivänäm – • Tattvärtha Sutra All life is bound together by mutual support and interdependence (If one does not care for nature one does not care for oneself) • Refreshingly contemporary in its premise and in its promise. • Forms the basis of the modern day science of ecology.

4. Mahavir • His entire life was an example of how to live in perfect harmony with the environment. • His entire preaching is based on respecting the environment and ecology • The main theme of His teaching: • Ahimsä (Non-violence) • Aparigrah (Non-possession) • Anekantvad (Pluralism view points)

5. What does Jainism teach about ecology? Ahimsä (non-violence): • Not to cause pain to any living beings in words, in thoughts, and in actions. • Vegetarianism – To live a life with minimum violence and avoid all animal base products. • It is a compassionate living in harmony with nature.

6. Non-violence and Compassion • Ahimsä is disciplined behavior towards every living being - • Dashvaikalika Sutra (6/9) • Absence of violence of any sort towards all beings at all times is Ahimsä. • Yogasutra • In its absolute definition: ‘Ahimsä is the absence of destructive thoughts, feelings or attitude’

7. What does Jainism teach about ecology? Non-vegetarian Living - Cruelty to Animals: • Animals Killed per Day in USA Cattle - 130,000 Calves - 7,000 Hogs - 360,000 Chickens - 24,000,000

8. What does Jainism teach about ecology? Cruelty exist Dairy Industry • Cows are kept pregnant continually • Slaughtering 70% to 80% of baby calves within six months by Veal industry or within five years by beef industry • Slaughtering the mother cows after five years of their fertile life (life expectancy is 15 years) • Everyday hormones or drugs are injected to increase milk yield.

9. What does Jainism teach about ecology? Non-vegetarian Living - Impact on Ecology • Greenhouse effect • World's 1.3 billion cows annually produce 100 million tons of methane • Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas which traps 25 times as much solar heat as CO2 • Water Consumption • Livestock (Cattle, Calves, Hogs, Pigs) production accounts for more than half of all the water consumed in USA.

10. What does Jainism teach about ecology? Non-vegetarian Living - Impact on Ecology • Land Usage • A third of the surface of North America is devoted to grazing • Half of American croplands grow livestock feed for meat and dairy products • 220 million acres of land in the USA have been deforested for livestock production • 25 million acres in Brazil, and half the forests in Central America

11. What does Jainism teach about ecology? Non-vegetarian Living - Impact on Health • Calcium and Protein Deficiency • High Cholesterol • High Saturated Fats • High incidence of Prostate Cancer

12. Practice of compassionate living Ahimsä means: • Respect for the lives of others and for the environment we live in. • Avoidance of Animal based foods and products (Be Vegetarian / Vegan). • Service to lift someone who is down trodden.

13. What does Jainism teach about ecology? • Non-Possession/Self-restraint is the second most important Jain principle • Reduce one’s needs and wants as far as possible. • Not to waste the gifts of nature • Nature provides enough for our NEED not enough for our GREED

14. The ancient Jain scriptural aphorism • “Aparigraha seve attai karanti prananam behanam” • Lord Mahavir • We kill other lives because of our greed and possessiveness. • This is the primary cause of all violence as well as imbalance in the environment.

15. Faith Action • Caring for the Earth and Environment is the way of Life of the Jain Community by following the principles of Jainism in their daily life • Be Compassionate • Be Vegetarian and avoid the use all types of animal based products • Reduce our needs and wants as far as possible.