Environmental Doctrines Of Jainism

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Environmental Doctrines of Jainism" by S.M. Jain, based on the provided pages:

Overall Theme:

The book "Environmental Doctrines of Jainism" by S.M. Jain posits that Jainism inherently contains a profound and comprehensive framework for environmental protection. It argues that the core ethical principles and philosophical tenets of Jainism, when properly understood and applied, offer practical solutions to the current global environmental crisis. The author emphasizes that environmental protection is not an add-on but is deeply integrated into the very fabric of Jain philosophy, epistemology, ontology, and metaphysics.

Key Arguments and Doctrines:

The book systematically explores various Jain doctrines and their direct relevance to environmental sustainability:

1. The Doctrine of Equality:

   • Jainism uniquely assigns equal status to all life forms, including seemingly inanimate elements like earth, water, air, and fire, as well as plants.
   • All these are considered living beings with souls, similar to humans and animals.
   • This principle of "atmaupamya" (considering all souls as one's own) fosters compassion and prevents wanton destruction of natural resources.
   • The interconnectedness and interdependence of all constituents of nature are highlighted, drawing parallels to modern scientific concepts like the "bootstrap principle" and "quantum foam."

2. The Doctrine of Non-Violence (Ahimsa):

   • Ahimsa is the central tenet of Jainism, meaning the absence of harm to any living being in thought, word, or deed.
   • It extends beyond not killing to not causing suffering, inconvenience, or over-burdening any life form or natural resource.
   • Natural resources like soil, water, and air have "carrying capacities" and "rejuvenation time-cycles" that must not be exceeded, as doing so constitutes violence.
   • The book elaborates on the extensive nature of Ahimsa, covering all types of life forms, including microscopic organisms and elements. It also discusses various transgressions of this vow.
   • While advocating for extreme non-violence, Jainism permits self-defense and the protection of one's family, heritage, and country.
   • The author critiques practices like "havans" (fire rituals) as unscientific and contributing to pollution.

3. The Doctrine of Truth:

   • Truth is presented as a crucial companion to non-violence, extending beyond mere honesty to a commitment to rationality and a right worldview.
   • It involves understanding the reality of environmental degradation caused by anthropocentrism, overpopulation, and consumerism.
   • The doctrine emphasizes speaking truthfully and avoiding falsehoods, harsh words, defamation, and misleading advice, all of which are considered forms of violence.
   • It also stresses the importance of respecting others' views (Syadvad) to avoid conflicts.

4. The Doctrine of Non-Stealing:

   • This doctrine prohibits taking anything without consent, which applies not only to human possessions but also to natural resources.
   • Exploiting natural resources beyond their carrying capacities is viewed as stealing from nature and future generations.
   • The concept of "Leshya" (coloration of the soul's disposition) is used to illustrate varying degrees of ethical behavior when interacting with nature, from the purest (Shukla) to the worst (Krishna).
   • Equitable give-and-take with nature, such as dispersing seeds after consuming fruits, is encouraged.

5. The Doctrine of Non-Consumerism (Aparigraha):

   • Aparigraha advocates for limiting desires, acquisitions, and consumption to promote social harmony and prevent the over-exploitation of natural resources.
   • Consumerism is identified as the most damaging cause of environmental degradation.
   • The doctrine emphasizes minimizing wants, as insatiable desire ("Murchha") leads to greed and environmental imbalance.
   • It critiques modern economic development models that equate growth with increased consumption.

6. The Doctrine of Celibacy:

   • Celibacy (Brahmacharya) is crucial for controlling population growth, a significant driver of environmental degradation.
   • It emphasizes restraint over sexual urges to prevent societal problems like crime and to reduce the strain on resources.
   • The doctrine advises avoiding situations that stimulate sexual desire, such as suggestive media and promiscuous behavior.

7. The Doctrine of Abstinence:

   • This doctrine supports the five main vows by outlining specific abstinences from harmful substances (like alcohol), emotions (anger, vanity, greed), and behaviors (listening to sensational stories, performing rituals for material gain).
   • It promotes a mindful and pure lifestyle, including vegetarianism and abstaining from meals after sunset, which have positive environmental implications.
   • The prohibition of honey is highlighted for its environmental significance in supporting bee populations crucial for pollination.

8. The Doctrine of Awareness:

   • Awareness (mindfulness, concentration) is presented as a prerequisite for practicing any Jain doctrine or vow.
   • It involves synchronizing mind and body for proper execution of all actions, from walking to eating.
   • The text quotes scriptures emphasizing carefulness in every act to avoid harming life forms, drawing parallels to concepts like "samitis" (cautions) and "guptis" (restraints).
   • It critiques the transference of blame by monks to householders for the violence involved in food production, stressing the need for shared responsibility.

9. The Doctrine of Karma:

   • The principle of karma explains that actions have consequences, and individuals are responsible for their own destinies.
   • Good deeds lead to positive outcomes, while bad deeds lead to suffering.
   • The intensity of past karma can be mitigated by present actions.
   • This doctrine underpins the rational approach, as seeking external divine intervention for worldly benefits is considered irrational.

10. The Doctrine of Rationality (Samyaktva):

    • Samyaktva, encompassing rational belief, knowledge, and conduct, is the cornerstone of Jainism and the path to liberation.
    • It stands in direct opposition to superstition, miracles, and blind faith.
    • The doctrine emphasizes understanding cause and effect and that liberation comes through self-effort, not external rituals.
    • It outlines eight essential virtues for rationality, including firm belief, desirelessness, equanimity, and the promotion of righteous tenets.
    • The text critiques the misuse of "Prabhavana" (propagation) for obsolete rituals, advocating for simplicity and focusing on genuine ethical practices.

11. The Doctrine of Symbiosis (Mutualism):

    • Symbiosis, or mutualism, is the principle of mutually beneficial interactions among all constituents of the universe, both animate and inanimate.
    • Jain cosmology views the six fundamental substances (Jiva, Pudgala, Dharma, Adharma, Akasa, Kaal) as interacting symbiotically.
    • The text provides numerous examples from nature (microbes, insects, flora-fauna relationships) and even within the human body to illustrate this principle.
    • It highlights that disharmony arises from human anthropocentrism and the incorrect belief that many organisms are merely harmful.

12. The Doctrine of Kalpavriksha (Forest) Based Life Style:

    • Jain scriptures describe an ideal, happiest era where life was forest-based, with all needs met by trees ("Kalpavrikshas").
    • This lifestyle fostered harmony, limited wants, and prevented environmental degradation.
    • The book explains the classification of these benevolent trees and their importance for food, clothing, shelter, and medicine.
    • The transition to agriculture is seen as a turning point that led to population growth, increased consumption, and environmental damage.

13. The Doctrine of Sustainability:

    • Sustainability is identified as a primary consideration, directly linked to conservation and the judicious use of natural resources within their carrying capacities.
    • Indiscriminate consumerism is presented as incompatible with sustainability.
    • Jain cosmology's depiction of cyclic eras (Avasarpini and Utsarpini) illustrates how human attitudes towards resource utilization (symbiotic vs. predatory) dictate the progression from happy to unhappy states and vice versa.
    • The concept of "climax stages" in ecological succession is used to explain how sustainable environments can be maintained.

Conclusion:

The book concludes by reiterating the urgent need for humanity to shift from an anthropocentric and selfish attitude to one of compassion and universality for all environmental constituents. It emphasizes that by understanding, imbibing, and practicing the fourteen environmental doctrines of Jainism, individuals can not only halt further environmental degradation but also contribute to the restoration of a healthy and harmonious planet. The author stresses that this requires tremendous collective effort and willpower.

Author's Background:

The author, S.M. Jain, is a retired senior forest officer with extensive experience in forestry, rural development, and environmental consultancy. His practical background and deep understanding of environmental issues lend significant weight to his analysis of Jain doctrines. He has authored several books on related topics.