Jainism | VOA Connect

Summary

The video script delves into Jainism, one of the world's oldest religions, emphasizing non-violence, non-possessiveness, and multi-perspectivalism. It recounts a personal journey from a meat-eating lifestyle to vegetarianism and veganism, influenced by Jain philosophy. The narrative illustrates how respecting diverse viewpoints can resolve conflicts and promote intellectual non-violence. It concludes with a call for non-violence and the importance of considering one's impact on the world, especially in the context of current societal issues.

Takeaways

• 🕉 Jainism is one of the oldest religions on Earth, emphasizing non-violence, non-possessiveness, and multiple views.
• 🌿 Ahimsa, the principle of non-violence, encourages followers to minimize harm to all life forms, including animals and plants.
• 🤲 Aparigraha, the concept of non-possessiveness, reflects the belief in limiting material attachment to foster spiritual growth.
• 🔄 Anakantwat, or the principle of multiple views, promotes understanding that there can be many perspectives on a single truth.
• 🕷️ A personal story illustrates the transformative power of non-violence, leading to a shift from a meat-eating to a vegetarian and then vegan lifestyle.
• 🧘‍♂️ The speaker's journey began with an undergraduate course on Indic religions, which sparked a deep reflection on non-violence.
• 🤝 Anekantvadh, the Jain principle of multi-perspectivalism, is likened to intellectual non-violence, advocating respect for diverse viewpoints.
• 🌐 The concept of multi-perspectivalism is applied to resolving conflicts by acknowledging the validity of different perspectives.
• 🌱 The practice of non-violence extends beyond personal lifestyle choices to include a broader approach to life and interactions with the world.
• 💡 The speaker emphasizes the importance of setting intentions in yoga and life to reduce violence and improve one's relationship with the world.
• 🌟 Jain donors in North America are supporting the teaching of Jain studies to raise awareness of non-violence as a viable lifestyle choice.

Q & A

What are the three main tenets of Jainism?

The three main tenets of Jainism are ahimsa (non-violence), aparigrah (non-possessiveness), and anekantvad (multiple views).

How does the principle of ahimsa relate to the speaker's personal experience with a spider?

The speaker was writing an essay on non-violence when a spider crawled across the wall. Just before swatting it, they realized the importance of non-violence and the spider's desire to live, leading to a personal insight about respecting all life.

What was the speaker's dietary change influenced by the principles of Jainism?

The speaker's dietary change was influenced by the principles of Jainism, leading them to become a vegetarian and eventually a vegan.

What is the concept of aparigraha in Jainism?

Aparigraha in Jainism is the principle of non-possessiveness, which encourages minimizing attachment to material possessions and reducing greed.

Can you explain the Jain concept of anekantvad or 'multiple views'?

Anekantvad, or 'multiple views,' is the Jain concept that acknowledges that there can be multiple perspectives on a single reality, and that each perspective can be true in its own way.

How does the Jain philosophy relate to conflict resolution?

The Jain philosophy, with its emphasis on anekantvad, promotes understanding and resolving conflicts by recognizing and respecting the validity of different viewpoints, thereby reducing ego and personal aspirations that may cause turmoil.

What is the modern interpretation of multi-perspectivalism in Jainism?

In modern Jainism, multi-perspectivalism is often interpreted as intellectual non-violence, which involves allowing and respecting others' perspectives, even if they differ from one's own, as long as they do not incite violence.

How does the speaker connect the practice of yoga with the principles of Jainism?

The speaker connects yoga with Jainism by emphasizing the importance of setting an intention in yoga to have a non-violent relationship with the world, which aligns with the paramount virtue of non-violence in Jainism.

What is the role of breath in the speaker's teaching of Jain and yoga traditions?

The speaker uses breath as a starting point for teaching, encouraging students to pay attention to their breath and be thankful for it, as a way to begin a breathing exercise and promote mindfulness and non-violence.

How do Jain donors in North America support the study and teaching of Jainism?

Jain donors in North America have pooled their resources to create funded positions for teaching Jain studies, with the aim of raising awareness about non-violence as an option and encouraging students to explore its principles.

What is the speaker's perspective on the relationship between free speech and inciting violence?

The speaker believes in the importance of free speech, drawing inspiration from philosophers like John Stuart Mill, but emphasizes that free speech should not be used to incite violence, aligning with the principles of non-violence in Jainism.