Presented by
Colleen Taylor Sen, Ph.D.
The only religion in the world that is unconditionally vegetarian is Jainism. Jainism developed in the 6th century BCE — its leading figure, Mahavira, was a contemporary of the Buddha — and today it has several million adherents, mainly in West and South India.
More a philosophy than a religion, the central doctrine of Jainism is that every organism, from single cell amoebas to human beings, has an eternal soul, called jiva. Alhough some souls are more powerful and complex than others, every organism is capable of achieving salvation and must be allowed to continue on its path. Thus any injury to any creature, however lowly, must be avoided. The cardinal rule of Jainism is ahimsa,.translated as noninjury or nonviolence, which was adopted by Mahatma Gandhi.
In keeping with these beliefs, Jains not only do not eat meat, fish, or eggs, but also avoid a myriad of other foods, including those whose production kills the entire plant, harms microscopic organisms, or destroys the germs of future life. Most Jains avoid honey, fruits and vegetables with many little seeds e.g., (eggplant, figs), underground roots (potatoes, carrots, onions, etc.), mushrooms, and alcohol. Jain monks and nuns follow every more stringent restrictions. Some scholars believe that the practice of vegetarianism among Hindus originated with the Jains.
Program was hosted at Ina’s Restaurant http://www.breakfastqueen.com