Contemporary Jain Way Of Compassionate Living V1

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Contemporary Jain Way of Compassionate and Ethical Living V1" by Pravin K. Shah:

The book advocates for a contemporary Jain way of living that is deeply rooted in the core principles of Jainism: Ahimsa (non-violence), Aparigraha (non-possession), and Anekantavada (non-one-sidedness/open-mindedness). The author argues that these ancient principles are not only ethically sound but also align with modern ecological science and the universal laws of nature.

Key Themes and Arguments:

• Jain Ethics and Compassion: Lord Mahavir's teachings emphasize respect for all life, interdependence of all beings, and the understanding that harming one harms all. The author connects these teachings to modern ecology, highlighting that greed and possessiveness are the root causes of violence and environmental imbalance. Jainism recognizes that all elements of nature, including earth, air, fire, water, and vegetation, possess life with one sense, while animals and humans have multiple senses and a mind, thus carrying a greater responsibility for compassionate living.

• Survival and Ethical Living: The book acknowledges that absolute non-violence and non-possession are difficult for sustaining human life, as even plant-based food is considered life. However, the Jain goal is to minimize violence and negative impact. The text defines "minimum violence" as harming or killing only for survival, with the severity of violence being proportional to the number of senses a living being possesses. Harming humans (five senses) is the highest form of violence, followed by animals (five senses but less developed mind). Jainism thus strictly prohibits the consumption and exploitation of higher-sensed beings for survival, advocating for strict vegetarianism.

• The Universal Law of Mother Nature and Dairy Consumption: The author challenges the traditional justification for dairy consumption in Jainism by examining the "laws of Mother Nature." The core argument is that a mother cow, like a human mother, produces milk solely to feed her calf. Nature has not provided for cows to produce excess milk beyond their calf's needs. Any milk consumed or used in dairy products, therefore, is considered "stolen" from the calf. The book refutes common justifications like using "excess" milk, stating these are incorrect under natural conditions and that religious scholars may lack a complete understanding of this natural law. From a Jain perspective, consuming dairy products thus constitutes the highest form of violence and stealing.

• Historical Justification vs. Contemporary Reality: The book explains that dairy consumption in the past was justified due to the lack of advanced agriculture, the essential role of bulls in farming, and the use of cow dung for fertilizer and fuel. In those times, cows were integral to survival, and their products were used with minimal violence, allowing calves to consume most of the milk. However, today's agricultural and technological advancements have rendered dairy consumption unnecessary for survival. India is agriculturally independent, and modern machinery, medicine, and energy sources have replaced the need for cow-related products.

• The Contemporary Dairy Industry and Cruelty: The book details the severe cruelty inherent in the modern, commercialized dairy industry. To maximize profit and meet demand, cows are:

  • Kept pregnant continuously through artificial insemination to ensure constant milk production.
  • Subjected to hormones and antibiotics to boost milk yield.
  • Forced to produce 3 to 6 times more milk than naturally possible, leading to severe physical stress and early breakdown of their bodies.
  • Their calves are largely sold for slaughter (veal or beef industry), with male calves often left to die of hunger.
  • Sold to slaughterhouses at a young age (5-6 years) when their milk production declines, despite their natural life expectancy being much longer.
  • Even organic dairy farms, while avoiding some chemicals, still engage in similar practices of forced pregnancy, calf sales for slaughter, and eventual slaughter of the cows.

• Ecological Impact of Dairy and Meat Industry: The text highlights the devastating environmental consequences of the dairy and meat industries, including:

  • Massive waste release polluting land, air, and water.
  • Significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions (methane).
  • Excessive water consumption.
  • Extensive land usage for grazing and growing livestock feed, leading to deforestation.

• Ecological Impact of Styrofoam and Plastics: The book also touches upon the harmful effects of Styrofoam and plastics, emphasizing their non-biodegradability, potential health risks (carcinogens), and severe damage to ecosystems and aquatic life.

• Conclusion and Call to Action: The author concludes that the Jain way of life inherently respects the Earth and the environment. Following Lord Mahavir's advice to test teachings with personal reasoning and experience, the book urges Jains to re-evaluate their consumption of dairy products. The cruelty in milk production is considered as bad as meat production. The author calls for substituting dairy products with plant-based alternatives (like water, soy milk, almond milk, vegetable oil for ghee) in temple rituals and religious functions. The book notes that Jain youth are more aware of and aligned with these principles than many adults and scholars, and expresses a hope that necessary changes will be made to truly embody the principles of Ahimsa, non-stealing, and compassion. The author concludes by encouraging readers to reflect on the "Laws of Mother Nature" and make informed decisions about dairy consumption.