Jain Response to Environmental Crisis

Summary

Dr Anindita Mitra examines the ecological crisis through the lens of Jain ethics. She notes that economic development and consumerism have sacrificed forests for agriculture, industry and urbanisation, leading to pollution, species extinction and climate instability. The root of the crisis is self‑centred greed, supported by unrestrained technologies. The author argues that science and religion must work together to reaffirm the unity and sacredness of creation and to reassess humanity’s role. Traditional Jain teachings provide a moral framework for this reassessment. Jainism emphasises non‑violence (ahiṃsā), non‑attachment (aparigraha), and non‑absolutism (anekānta) and encourages a simple, moderate lifestyle that avoids both self‑denial and self‑indulgence. Dr Mitra emphasises that a clean environment requires individuals to adopt a lifestyle rooted in moral and spiritual values. Such a life involves reducing wants to the minimum, practising frugality and contentment, and respecting the interconnectedness of all beings. She contrasts this ethic with the exploitation of nature promoted by modern consumer culture. The article introduces the concept of deep ecology, developed by philosopher Arne Naess, which calls for a shift from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism and stresses the intrinsic worth of non‑human life. Dr Mitra argues that Jainism anticipates deep ecology: its insistence on the sanctity of all life and the interdependence of living beings parallels Naess’s ideas. By adopting Jain principles, humanity can move towards non‑exploitative, caring relationships with nature. The paper concludes that the environmental crisis cannot be solved solely by technological means; it demands a transformation in values and behaviour based on compassion, restraint and ecological awareness.