Jainism seems to be similar to Buddhism to an extent in that they are both pacifist and tolerant religions. I approve of the live & let live ideology. But the dogma, especially when it comes to diet, among Jains I've observed has always amazed me. How can people practicing such a seemingly tolerant and passive religion, be so dogmatic about what they eat? Even Buddhists aren't so particular about what they eat. But a Jain will go without eating at all if there are onions, potatoes, garlic or many other items in the food. And many, if not most, seem to be unaware of the stated purpose and rationale for such abstinence.
Maybe some practicing Jains on this forum can explain? Are Jain dietary rules the ultimate proof of the stubborn human refusal to think or question dogma in which religions thrive?
Dogma in Jainism
Dogma in Jainism
Mastan Bhai;425932Jainism seems to be similar to Buddhism to an extent in that they are both pacifist and tolerant religions. I approve of the live & let live ideology. But the dogma, especially when it comes to diet, among Jains I've observed has always amazed me. How can people practicing such a seemingly tolerant and passive religion, be so dogmatic about what they eat? Even Buddhists aren't so particular about what they eat. But a Jain will go without eating at all if there are onions, potatoes, garlic or many other items in the food. And many, if not most, seem to be unaware of the stated purpose and rationale for such abstinence.
Maybe some practicing Jains on this forum can explain? Are Jain dietary rules the ultimate proof of the stubborn human refusal to think or question dogma in which religions thrive?
Many Hindus (especially from Gujarat, Rajashtan area) also engage in not eating stuff such as garlic, ginger, onions, potatoes. I guess they consider it dirty being grown underground. But then some of them will eat this, except for on Mondays and here they just cannot provide any rationale, although some have said that root vegetables arouse passions and on Mondays they want rest.
Dogma in Jainism
So that is why the Indian stores in my area are mostly closed on Mondays. The mind boggles to think of the kind service providers in those stores having imbibed passion arousing root vegetables over the weekend and taking Monday off to have some "rest". :)
Dogma in Jainism
I had heard that the root vegetable prohibition has to do with life forms that live in/under ground.
And monday-shop-closure is to contain (behind closed doors) the roused passions that come up with the counting of the money collected from the weekend shoppers.
And monday-shop-closure is to contain (behind closed doors) the roused passions that come up with the counting of the money collected from the weekend shoppers.
Dogma in Jainism
AFAIK - The root vegetables, ie, Garlic, Onions etc, - when you remove them from the ground, you 'kill' the plant -as opposed to fruit bearing trees.
Killing a (pant) life - is 'probably' what the regligion faith condones.
Killing a (pant) life - is 'probably' what the regligion faith condones.
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Dogma in Jainism
Mastan Bhai;425932
Maybe some practicing Jains on this forum can explain? Are Jain dietary rules the ultimate proof of the stubborn human refusal to think or question dogma in which religions thrive?
Dogma in Jainism and Budhism are minor compared to Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.
There are lot of examples of "Human refusal to think".
Jains attempt to cause minimal harm to the living system around them. That is their reason and is a reasonable thinking.
Dogma in Jainism
Listen from the horse's mouth :) I practice Jainism. Well, it is not like we never eat garlic, onions , etc etc :)
It is only that during the 4 months of 'Chaturmas' we have to abstain from eating the above due to reasons stated by Okonomi.
Franky speaking it is just the first two months that are really important but there are people who follow the 4 month cycle.
And we follow vegetarianism since birth so we are used to it. Even my kid knows that we don't eat non veg and he makes sure that he says that in birthday parties. It was difficult to find food in US - Subway, Falafel, Indian Restaurants, Pizza and Burgers. But hey, that is one of the reasons for R2I :)
It is only that during the 4 months of 'Chaturmas' we have to abstain from eating the above due to reasons stated by Okonomi.
Franky speaking it is just the first two months that are really important but there are people who follow the 4 month cycle.
And we follow vegetarianism since birth so we are used to it. Even my kid knows that we don't eat non veg and he makes sure that he says that in birthday parties. It was difficult to find food in US - Subway, Falafel, Indian Restaurants, Pizza and Burgers. But hey, that is one of the reasons for R2I :)
Dogma in Jainism
BTW, I am Jani and not Jain.
Having said that,....
Jainism is little bit higher/stricter side of the Hinduism
and little bit more strict on Jeev-Hinsa, waste of food and such.
They take care off small bacteria / viruses and hence Munis and jain saadhvi baayis tie cloth while reciting the pious slogans, so that no bacteria is breathed and killed.
e.g. Payurshan, paarna, aththaayi,...... their fast style also remains pretty strict.
Most of the Jain families I knew would pour the water in thaali after eating
and will drink it to its last sip, so that not a single grain of food is wasted.
Besides the Kand-Mools - potato, sweet potato, carrot, radish......etc
They don't eat Tomatoes either,……. by saying that it reminds us of blood and such.
I still remember some big halls occupied by Jain people in the city I grew up,…and they were renting on marriage occasion to other banik people , but again on condition that you should not make any sabjii of potatoes/tomatoes and such !!
I studied in a High school and the owner was a strict Jain,.. and hence in 11/12[SUP]th[/SUP] in the science faculty at that time, NO frog dissection practical were entertained, while we were at the critical year of Med/Engg college admission of our career during those years.
I had seen many localities and street full of only Jains and they would not even let any other caste people to live/ reside in those streets and such,…
Some strict Jain Sadhvi bayis at apasaras won’t even piss in drains and they carry it in that “ Kamandal” and pouring thereafter on the surrounding walls, smelling the whole community bad and other problems and the surrounding community had continuous health hazard kind of problems fights with them, due to such religious restrictions.
Jains basically give more importance to their Tirthankars,…. and to them,.. other gods like Ram, Krishna, Shankar, Ganesh is of less importance, though later they adopted Krishna as their god in somewhere the last category of that last benches !
Most of the Jain people I found were more religious, going to their Apasara regularly and even male would apply that small tikki of sandalwood crust on their foreheads. Most of the Jain girls I found were pretty beautiful, clean clothed and nicely dressed, simple, sober and very straight forward and very hard to tie them into the routine to move around with you, ( in other words, no Chaalu kisam and any tharki guy have no chance to make out ) but very beautiful and good looking. Ladies are good at making khakharas, papdam and other snack foods
Most of the Jains I found were merchants and major wealthy people, during the time I grew up and as experienced them.
Even today at many restaurants in Europe, London they call it by Jain food and that means pure and strict Vegetarian and you do not need to add any other words, after that.
If I said anythg wrong or did hurt the community :: " Michhami Dukkadm " ( Kindly forgive me ) ,. esp. to,... nj_Tina( Zindani )
:)
Having said that,....
Jainism is little bit higher/stricter side of the Hinduism
and little bit more strict on Jeev-Hinsa, waste of food and such.
They take care off small bacteria / viruses and hence Munis and jain saadhvi baayis tie cloth while reciting the pious slogans, so that no bacteria is breathed and killed.
e.g. Payurshan, paarna, aththaayi,...... their fast style also remains pretty strict.
Most of the Jain families I knew would pour the water in thaali after eating
and will drink it to its last sip, so that not a single grain of food is wasted.
Besides the Kand-Mools - potato, sweet potato, carrot, radish......etc
They don't eat Tomatoes either,……. by saying that it reminds us of blood and such.
I still remember some big halls occupied by Jain people in the city I grew up,…and they were renting on marriage occasion to other banik people , but again on condition that you should not make any sabjii of potatoes/tomatoes and such !!
I studied in a High school and the owner was a strict Jain,.. and hence in 11/12[SUP]th[/SUP] in the science faculty at that time, NO frog dissection practical were entertained, while we were at the critical year of Med/Engg college admission of our career during those years.
I had seen many localities and street full of only Jains and they would not even let any other caste people to live/ reside in those streets and such,…
Some strict Jain Sadhvi bayis at apasaras won’t even piss in drains and they carry it in that “ Kamandal” and pouring thereafter on the surrounding walls, smelling the whole community bad and other problems and the surrounding community had continuous health hazard kind of problems fights with them, due to such religious restrictions.
Jains basically give more importance to their Tirthankars,…. and to them,.. other gods like Ram, Krishna, Shankar, Ganesh is of less importance, though later they adopted Krishna as their god in somewhere the last category of that last benches !
Most of the Jain people I found were more religious, going to their Apasara regularly and even male would apply that small tikki of sandalwood crust on their foreheads. Most of the Jain girls I found were pretty beautiful, clean clothed and nicely dressed, simple, sober and very straight forward and very hard to tie them into the routine to move around with you, ( in other words, no Chaalu kisam and any tharki guy have no chance to make out ) but very beautiful and good looking. Ladies are good at making khakharas, papdam and other snack foods
Most of the Jains I found were merchants and major wealthy people, during the time I grew up and as experienced them.
Even today at many restaurants in Europe, London they call it by Jain food and that means pure and strict Vegetarian and you do not need to add any other words, after that.
If I said anythg wrong or did hurt the community :: " Michhami Dukkadm " ( Kindly forgive me ) ,. esp. to,... nj_Tina( Zindani )
:)