Being a Jain.
Jainism is one of the ancient eastern religion from India. Being a Jain is no different then being a Hindu, or a Muslim or a Christian as humanity, lies at the heart of all religions. As Jainism, is based on the principal of Anekantvaad it accepts that truth is multifaceted and all religions represent different sides of the same truth. Hence, tolerance forms the bedrock of not just Jainism but also of Indian culture.
However, being a strict Jain involves some practices which involves moderation in wants and having self control.
- Vegetarianism: You have to check whether the food you are going to take is strictly vegetarian or not. And eggs are a strict no. This way a person can maintain sustainable lifestyle aligned with the nature as many studies have suggested about the low carbon footprint of vegan diet as compared to non-vegetarian diet.
“I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man”
- Mahātmā Mohandas Gandhi
- Many Jains do not take food after sunset as in the absence of sunlight micro organisms increase in the environment leading to more violence while preparing meals and while having it. Various studies have proven the health benefits of eating early. Even celebrities' like Akshay Kumar have spoken about the heath benefits of this practice.
“A man can live and be healthy without killing animals for food; therefore, if he eats meat, he participates in taking animal life merely for the sake of his appetite. And to act so is immoral.”
- Leo Tolstoy
- Self control: Your friends may make fun of you due to your strict dieting habits like eating at pure vegetarian places. So it involves a bit of self control especially with your tongue to practice Jainism. Food items like potato, onion, garlic are not very usual choice in a Jain household as they are grown underground and are also considered as tamasic foods. You can easily find Jain food mentioned in many restaurants and eating places throughout the country.
- Non violence: You will be taught not to harm others even in your thoughts(vaicharik himsa). Even killing an ant or hurting a tree is a sin (in India it was a well established fact that plants too have life, and they should not be harmed). It was also basis for Gandhi’s Satyagraha during Indian freedom struggle which latter inspired many great personalities like Martin Luther King, Dalai lama and Aung saan Suu Kyi in their respective struggles against injustice. Peace and universal love lies at the center of Jainism.
- Temperament: Due to these peculiar eating habits, one would feel a calmness of character. As the popular dictum goes you become what you eat. This kind of simple lifestyle helps people shun violence, when promoted at higher level will help in making the world a more beautiful place.
“It is my view that the vegetarian manner of living, by its purely physical effect on the human temperament, would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind.”
- Albert Einstein
- Being a Jain we are taught since childhood not to burn crackers in line with ideal of non violence. Hence, indirectly contributing to environment even before Supreme court ruling this Diwali. Living your life in the simplest of ways is conducive to the health of mother earth.
- Temples: being a Jain it is customary for us to seek blessings from jindev on daily basis. Hence, temples are an important institution for socialization in Jain community. This has added to the rich architectural heritage of India.
- Aparigraha: Jain’s are taught to be minimalist, to live in moderation. It also inspired Mahatma Gandhi and he criticized western culture for spreading ideals of consumerism.
Being a Jain involves following some basic ideal of Indian way of life like non violence(ahimsa), truth, tolerance and moderation of wants. And as the recent pandemic have taught us when you can’t go outside go inside.
Hope it helps.
