Page 238 - Islam and Far Eastern Religions

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SCHIZOPHRENIC PRACTICES UNDER THE GUISE

OF NOT HARMING LIFE
Like all other pagan Far Eastern religions, Jainism too adopts rein-
carnation and karma as principles of faith. It is the aim of Jainism to
break the cycle of karma and to attain the state of a higher existence.
According to this faith, the only way of reaching this goal is absolute
adherence to its rules. Fasting, abstinence of certain foods, total control

over desires, temptations and cravings, solitary retreat and enduring
maximum suffering are some of these.
The fundamental principle in Jainism is “Ahimsa” which means
“non-violence, not to cause pain and not to harm life”. It is the most im-
portant principle taught at Jainism’s schools and forms the guiding
principle of its adherents. Ahimsa has influenced all schools of thought
in India and forms part of all its religions.
Because of this principle Jains try not to cause harm to any living
being. When this principle is first encountered it may well appear to be
a very noble principle, but it has become a source of schizophrenia for
Jains. As they believe that every living being has a soul, albeit at differ-

ent levels, animals, insects, plants and even microscopic forms of life
are all included in the Ahimsa principle. It goes without saying that it
is practically impossible to live without harming or killing at least some
small forms of life which die when we breathe, drink or eat. Moreover,
there are many microscopic beings everywhere we sit and sleep or even
on the clothes we wear. The Jains take irrational, illogical and nonsen-
sical precautions in this regard. For instance, they wear masks over
their mouths in order not to kill any small creatures and they do not

take any medications to kill viruses; it is forbidden in the superstitious
Jain religion to use antibiotics or disinfectants, or to eat honey, fruit or
meat. The Catholic Encyclopaedia writes the following on Ahimsa:

Islam And Far Eastern Religions