Animal Rights; A History Jainism
This page is part of the section: Animal Rights: A History
"The Arhats and Bhagavats of the past, present, and future, all say thus, speak thus, declare thus, explain thus: all breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away."
Acaranga sutra
Of all the spiritual traditions there is none which focus on non human animals to the extent of Jainism. Encompassing within its scope of non violence and universal compassion even the tiniest microscopic creature.
Jainism is a very ancient religion although in the context of Jain belief it has no beginning. There is no one founder, the truth having been revealed by 24 Tirthankaras at different times throughout what Jains refer to as the "present age". It is however generally considered that Jainism as it is recognised today was founded in the 6th century in north India by Mahavira, "the Great Hero."
Jainism is a religion of non violence towards all beings, Jains believe that all life is bound together by mutual support and interdependence.
The practice of Ahimsa is the true essence of Jainism. In fact Jainism was the first religion to practice Ahimsa as a rule of life. Ahimsa is central to Jain belief, the practice of which has been a great influence in more recent times for peacemakers such as Gandhi. Ahimsa, a sanskirt term, means to do no harm, literally: the avoidance of violence - himsa. Ahimsa is an important tenet of the ancient religions that originated in India namely Buddhism, Hinduism but most notably Jainism. Ahimsa is a rule of conduct prohibiting the killing or injuring of any living being. It is associated with the belief that all kinds of violence result in negative karma. Jain doctrine teaches that the universe is filled with an abundance of life and that each being without exception is of importance and that any injury, even accidental, caused to any creature effects the order of the entire world. Jains should be non-violent toward all other living beings, including their own selves, this not only by deed but also in thought and word. Jains take painstaking effort to preserve the life and well being of all creatures.
The Ancient teachings of Jainism concerning our relationship with animals continues today.
"All beings hate pains; therefore one should not kill them. This is the quintessence of wisdom: not to kill anything."
Sutrakritanga Sutra
Read more in depth information on this website about Jain ideology concerning the treatment of animals:
Why Animals Matter: Jainism
Why Animals Matter: Jainism Quotations
Links
abolitionistapproach.com/the-religion-of-non-violence/
jainworld.com/
Credit
Photo: Interior of Jaisalmer Jain Temple
Original image and licensing details
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jaisalmer_Jain_Temple12.jpg
Important please note:
I am not an animal expert of any kind just your average person who loves animals, all animals, and feels deeply about the plight of many of our fellow creatures. Neither am I a writer, or any other expert. Therefore please keep in mind that the information included in this website has been researched to the best of my ability and any misinformation is quite by accident but of course possible.
Copyright, accreditations and other matters, please read
This page is part of the section: Animal Rights: A History
"The Arhats and Bhagavats of the past, present, and future, all say thus, speak thus, declare thus, explain thus: all breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away."
Acaranga sutra
Of all the spiritual traditions there is none which focus on non human animals to the extent of Jainism. Encompassing within its scope of non violence and universal compassion even the tiniest microscopic creature.
Jainism is a very ancient religion although in the context of Jain belief it has no beginning. There is no one founder, the truth having been revealed by 24 Tirthankaras at different times throughout what Jains refer to as the "present age". It is however generally considered that Jainism as it is recognised today was founded in the 6th century in north India by Mahavira, "the Great Hero."
Jainism is a religion of non violence towards all beings, Jains believe that all life is bound together by mutual support and interdependence.
The practice of Ahimsa is the true essence of Jainism. In fact Jainism was the first religion to practice Ahimsa as a rule of life. Ahimsa is central to Jain belief, the practice of which has been a great influence in more recent times for peacemakers such as Gandhi. Ahimsa, a sanskirt term, means to do no harm, literally: the avoidance of violence - himsa. Ahimsa is an important tenet of the ancient religions that originated in India namely Buddhism, Hinduism but most notably Jainism. Ahimsa is a rule of conduct prohibiting the killing or injuring of any living being. It is associated with the belief that all kinds of violence result in negative karma. Jain doctrine teaches that the universe is filled with an abundance of life and that each being without exception is of importance and that any injury, even accidental, caused to any creature effects the order of the entire world. Jains should be non-violent toward all other living beings, including their own selves, this not only by deed but also in thought and word. Jains take painstaking effort to preserve the life and well being of all creatures.
The Ancient teachings of Jainism concerning our relationship with animals continues today.
"All beings hate pains; therefore one should not kill them. This is the quintessence of wisdom: not to kill anything."
Sutrakritanga Sutra
Read more in depth information on this website about Jain ideology concerning the treatment of animals:
Why Animals Matter: Jainism
Why Animals Matter: Jainism Quotations
Links
abolitionistapproach.com/the-religion-of-non-violence/
jainworld.com/
Credit
Photo: Interior of Jaisalmer Jain Temple
Original image and licensing details
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jaisalmer_Jain_Temple12.jpg
Important please note:
I am not an animal expert of any kind just your average person who loves animals, all animals, and feels deeply about the plight of many of our fellow creatures. Neither am I a writer, or any other expert. Therefore please keep in mind that the information included in this website has been researched to the best of my ability and any misinformation is quite by accident but of course possible.
Copyright, accreditations and other matters, please read