Crafting - Green Growth Strategies based on Jain Philosophy International Conference on Environment, Healthcare, Food Security and Sustainable Development 5th to 7th June, 2022 Shobhit Institute of Engineering & Technology, Shobhit University, Meerut and Food Analysts Association (India) Key Note Address: Prof. (Dr.) Paresh Shah FCMA., Ph.D., FDP (IIMA)., D.Ed., D.D.M., Dip. Edu. Psychology Alumnus of IIM, Ahmedabad; University of Illinois, US; University of Virginia, US; University of London; University of Navarra, Spain; University of New South Wales, Australia; Institute of Cost Accountants of India, etc. Principal and Professor, Rai School of Management Studies, Rai University, Ahmedabad Parliament of World’s Religions at Chicago (USA) in 1893 World Jain Confederation • Virchand R. Gandhi • (1864-1901) • Deputed by reverend Jaina Monk Acharya Atmanandji • Launched in Mumbai by Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the 2600th Bhagwan Mahavir Janma Kalyanank Mahotsav on April 8, 2001. Who Cares ■ How many are really concerned about what is happening to the environment? ■ On account of Violence, ■ Unnecessary possession of material things, ■ Chastity, ■ Stealing, ■ No Truth. ■ The Universe (ब्रह्मांड) ■ Looked at things from two points of views: Dravyarthika naya – means the world in without beginning and end (द्रव्यार्थिका नया:) ■ Paryayarthika naya – means it is born every moment and dies every moment (पयाि वरणर्थिका नया:) ■ Dharma means the body of rules of conduct ■ R. William in his book ‘Jain Yoga’ remarks that the central position and pervading character of Ahimsa separate Jain ethnic sharply from Hinduism as well as from Islam and Christianity. ■ The Universe (ब्रह्मांड) Almost everything in Jainism is alive, and has a consciousness of some sort. ■ Water, air, earth and soil, all material that comes from the Earth , Galaxy (आकाशगंगा), Cosmos (ब्रह्ां ड), has: ■ a) living things imbedded in them, and b) interconnectedness to all other living things, so to disturb one things causes a rippling to effect many other things Jiva and Ajiva Jain reality comprises two components, jiva (“soul,” or “living substance”) and ajiva (“nonsoul,” or “inanimate substance”). ■ Ajiva is further divided into two categories: nonsentient material entities and nonsentient nonmaterial entities. ■ Essence of Jainism in Green Growth of Society in Thoughts/Speech/Action … ■ Five Great vows • Ahimsa--Nonviolence / Compassion Not to cause harm to any living beings • Satya--Truthfulness To speak harmless truth only • Asteya--Non stealing Not to take anything not properly given • Brahmacharya--Chastity Not to indulge in sensual pleasure • Aparigraha--Non possession / Non attachment things Complete detachment from people, places, and material Ahimsa Animal Compassion Non-Celibacy Environmentalism For thousands of years, Jains have been practicing Non-Absolutism (गैर र्नरं कुश) Anekantvad (Respect other views) (Truth has many perspectives) Purpose Help each other; Realize one’s own full potential; To manage one’s passions Jain Way of Life is Universal Irrespective of your Religion 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) Help Each Other • Parasparopgraho Jivänäm – • परसपरोपाग्रहो जीवनार्ि • 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. Types of Violence • Accidental • Occupational • Protective • Intentional Compassionate Living Ahimsä (non-violence): • Not to cause pain to any living beings in words, in thoughts, and in actions. We do not have right to harm, abuse, or exploit animals, birds, fish etc. • It is a compassionate living in harmony with nature. • Vegetarianism – To live a life with minimum violence and avoid animal base products. Environment Possesses Life • Jainism believes that all Five basic Elements of the Universe which make our environment possess life • Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Vegetation • Vegetarianism – To live a life with minimum violence and avoid animal base products. • It also believes that every living being possesses one to five senses • Touch, Taste, Smell, Sight, and Hearing Environment Possesses Life • Vegetation (वनस्पर्ि), Earth, Air, Water, Fire, plants(पौधे ), etc. possesses one sense (touch) while Insect(कीडा), Animals and Humans possess more than one sense and maximum five senses. • Also human beings alone are blessed with the sixth sense of advanced developed thinking. Therefore, • Humanity is responsible for achieving oneness and harmony with all life by being careful, compassionate, loving and nonviolent. What does Jainism teach about ecology? • Not possible to survive with absolute non-violence. Hence the destruction of one sense life is essential for our survival. • Destruction of higher sensed living beings is a more cruel act because of higher development of their senses, which inflicts more pain on them. • It also has a greater impact on environment • Hence Jainism advocates vegetarianism(शमकमहमर) against raising animals for food. Non-violence and Compassion is disciplined behavior towards every living being - • Ahimsä • 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’ Non-Possession or Self-restraint • 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 • Reuse or Recycle products • Share Resources Guilt vs Responsibility Remember! ■ That these are Ideas … We are not here to judge people, though at the same time we do not want to underestimate the degree of the problem ■ Guilt – BAD ■ Responsibility and Empowerment = GOOD ■ WE ARE NOT THE KING OF THE JUNGLE Jainism - humans not separate from other nonhuman life and Natural Environment or God’s Gift, like Water, Air, Plants, etc. ■ Humans NOT at the top of the Environment ■ Might/ Brains ≠ Right ■ ■ ■ Humans are not really superior … our might and our intellect does not make it right to take from others … it never makes it right for us to do this. How many of us really believe this?? Is being Vegetarian enough? ■ Is vegetarianism the main component of ahimsa practice? ■ Violence today = mainly indirect (done by others) and unintentional (sure, who ever means to hurt others) and unknowingly (now this is controversial) - many degrees of separation ■ Such violence may exceed that of eating meat GLOBALIZATION ■ Material Or Overconsumption globalization ■ Overpowers the globalization or RIGHTS, ENVIRONMENT, COMPASSION, ETHICS ■ The ECONOMY is worshiped like a GOD ■ (I am not saying that the economy is not important) ■ Remember, that Jainism does not believe that private property is an absolute right- Capitalism and Property are Tools or Human Convention MATERIAL GLOBALIZATION Where is the Damage?? Life looks good to me! ■ A) far away the damage to people, animals, environment – ■ the benefits are in front of us – personal ■ hidden, just pictures on the TV or internet ■ the powers that control these things want it that way ■ ■ B) in front of you but you don’t realize ■ Anekantevaad again Prof. (Dr.) Paresh Shah • Email Id: • paresh@profparesh.in • profpareshshah@yahoo.co.in • Voice and Message No. • +91 9824358505 • YouTube Channel: • https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXbiD LRPgK1OJ4OA6W7f53A • Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pare sh-Shah-3 • Website: https://profparesh.in This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC