Jain Lifestyle: Epitomising Discipline, Ethics, and Environmental Consciousness

While WHO and the whole world realized the importance of wearing masks no sooner than the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jainism had established its importance 2500 years ago. Similarly, a large part of the world population (though unknowingly) resorted to the ideals propounded by Jain renunciants chiliads ago. Other than using masks, (munh patti, vegetarian food (Shakahar,) Social Distancing (Sangheta), Quarantine (Algaav), and isolation (Samyak ekant) were emphasized to check the spread of infection. During the monsoon season—chaumasa, Jain monks do not leave their dwellings to avoid killing the organisms. Many people fast during this period or have their last meal by sunset. Sounds familiar? Health-conscious generations these days call it intermittent fasting with varying windows. An attempt has been made to establish a correlation between the practices in Jain households and their linkage to environmental consciousness. Jains practice their rituals conservatively without trying to enforce the same on others. The world needs to take lessons from the sustainable lifestyle of the Jains.