Jainism &
Environment
a precursor to modern day ecology
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)
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.
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)
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.
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’
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.