Today we may think of environmentalism and sustainability as
relatively new concepts, originating in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s;
however, the ideas of respect for the earth and using less natural resources
goes back thousands of years, as evidenced by Jainism. Jainism is an ancient
Indian religion that is non-theistic and has no “founder”; instead, there have
been thirthankara’s
who have revealed the truth at different times. A thirthankara is a teacher (or
prophet) who has already achieved the highest level of spiritual existence and has
returned to help others achieve the same. The twenty-fourth, and most recent,
tithankara is Mahavira,
who, according to tradition, was born in 599 BCE and spent the last thirty
years of his life teaching about the interconnectedness of all life, no matter
how large or small, the dependence that all life forms have on each other, and
that ahimsa (non-violence) was the
path to liberation.Ahimsa is more than not committing violence; it is like a golden thread that weaves through Jainism, affecting all aspects of a Jain’s life: what they eat, what occupation they may have, and even what activities they may participate in. True to this ethic, Jains follow a strict vegetarian diet, do not wear clothing that may have hurt plants or animals in its manufacture, and do not hold occupations that may hurt animal or plant life. If a Jain is engaged in activity that will cause harm to any life form, one must cause as little harm as possible. The concept of ahimsa has expanded over time and modern Jains are expected to participate in activities and organizations that promote peace, freedom, and justice as long as it does not involve violence. The most famous advocate of ahimsa was Mahatma Gandhi, who was deeply influenced by, and exchanged letters with, the revered Jain Raychandbhai Mehta.
The practice of ahimsa also extends to the treatment of the earth. “One who neglects or disregards the existence of earth, air, fire, water and vegetation disregards his own existence which is entwined with them." The preservation of natural resources and the concept of ahimsa are echoed in the Adipurana, the epic poem about the first tirthankara, Rsabha Dev, in which the importance of trees is emphasized, even comparing them to saints. Trees are the basis of survival; they moderate the climate, provide shelter for wildlife, and enable the constant flow of the rivers, thereby creating a better welfare for all. Trees are also a symbol of happiness and it is believed that planting a tree will give you a peaceful life and good karma.[i]
Today, there are many Jains worldwide who are living ahimsa and putting their faith into practice. In Bihar, for example, most of the population lives below the poverty line and as a result, most of the natural resources are overused in order to meet the people’s basic needs. Trees are cut down to use for wood and to sell, and lakes and ponds are devoid of fish to feed the hungry. Veerayatan, an institution run by Jain nuns, is taking preventive measures to change that and save the environment. Thousands of trees have been planted in the area, food, shelter, drinking water, and employment facilities are being provided to the local population to decrease their dependence on natural resources. As a result of these measures, thousands of people have given up killing and eating meat, and have found decent employment that is supportive of peace with the environment.[ii]
This is just one example of how the active involvement of the religious community is woven together with the needs of the society to create a quilt of compassion for the world around them. Please join us on April 25th at 2:30pm at Plymouth Church in Shaker Heights (2860 Coventry Rd, Shaker Heights 44120) for "Eco-Justice and Eco-Spirituality: It's More than Going Green" and hear from representatives from the Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Jain traditions speak more about how our religious traditions add to the green movement. For more information please call Pam at (216)241-0230 or visit www.interactcleveland.org.
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