Perspective of Jainism on the Socio-Cultural and Environmental Values of Sacred Trees

Spiritual values attached to plants maintain socio-cultural and ecological values that play a pivotal role in human well-being. This paper documents the trees associated with Jainism in context of their conservation for sustainable supply of their socio-cultural and environmental benefits. There are twenty-four tīrthaṅkara who made penance under different trees attained salvation. These holy trees are known as kevalin vṛkṣa. The conservation of these sacred trees is gaining an increasing attention in the twenty-first century. Arguments for conservation of kevlin trees can be supported through different arguments like narrowly utilitarian, broadly utilitarian, and ethical. The narrowly utilitarian arguments for conserving tree species are based on their instrumental and economic benefits from trees such as food, firewood, timber, fiber, industrial products (tannins, dyes, and resins) and products of medicinal importance. The broadly utilitarian argument focuses on the role of trees in providing many ecosystem services like ornamental, habitat provision, and air pollution control. Ethical argument relates to what we owe to plants with which we share this planet. These arguments advocate conservation of trees based on their intrinsic value. The ancient practices of the different communities have been integral to conservation of natural resources including trees and thereby contributed to sustainable development. Establishment of tīrthaṅkara vatika (garden) is an important strategy to conserve these sacred trees of Jainism and thus promoting a spiritual framework for biological conservation and sustainable utilization. Therefore, a holistic understanding of the sacred trees of Jainism is essential for assessing their socio-cultural and ecological role and formulating strategies for conservation.