Digging Deeper Into Jain Philosophy…
THE PRANAS OR SENSES OF THE JIVAS / LIVING BEINGS
Just like a human, all living beings whether animals, fish, birds, bugs or plants, etc., have sentience in variable degrees. In the Tattvārtha Sūtra (TS 2.11-2.25), sentient beings – mobile and immobile – are classified by a 5-stage categorization according to their sense faculties:
— One-sensed beings (touch) are earth, water, fire, air, and plantlife.
— Two-sensed beings (touch, taste) are creatures like worms, leeches, and mollusks.
— Three-sensed beings (touch, taste, smell) are ants, fleas, and some other insects.
— Four-sensed beings (touch, taste, smell, sight) are additional insects such as wasps, flies, butterflies, and scorpions.
— Five-sensed beings (touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing) are fish, avians, and humans.
If, at any time, and for any reason, we hurt any of these beings, either in physical, verbal, or mental manner, it is called Pranatipat or Himsa which means harm. Opposite of himsa is A-himsa. Therefore ahimsa means to cause no injury or violence to vital life, even in the slightest form of any living creature. Jainism goes one step further in defining ahimsa because it not only includes restraining from hurting anyone by our direct actions, but it also includes that we shall not ask or encourage anyone else (directly or indirectly) to carry out any injurious activity. Therefore, to observe ahimsa, our individual responsibilities are much deeper and the scope is much broader than others. The first and foremost vow in Jainism is the vow of Ahimsa — non‑hurting or nonviolence.
All living beings are souls, alive and conscious, just like me. As I like to be happy and do not like to be in pain, all living beings like to be happy and do not like to be in pain. By keeping this insight at the core of my being, I will not cause any harm, pain or loss of life to any living being. –Jain Yogasastra, Hemachandracharya.
One should not injure, subjugate, enslave, torture, or kill any living being including animals, plants, or insects — Respect for all living beings is Non- Violence. – Ächäränga Sutra – Bhagawän Mahãvira.
JAIN ANIMAL SANCTUARIES
Jains have created and supported animal sanctuaries in India, and there are Jain-run sanctuaries for cows, dogs, birds, and other animals in cities such as Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India and a bird hospital in Delhi. A Jain couple in Clolorado, Shaleen and Shilpi Shah, have established a sanctuary for farmed animals called Luvin’ Arms.
(this page’s content was inspired thanks to the website www.VeganJains.com)
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For more on Jain Dharma and Veganism:
We recommend Arihanta Academy, an online Jain college, for in-depth Jain, Ahimsa, and Vegan Study. https://www.arihanta-academy.com