Author Archives: drJina

Spiritual Lessons from Animals: From Preetirang Sanctuary

Posted on August 31, 2022 | Leave a comment

Vegan Jains appreciate the embodiment of ahimsa in people of all faiths, including the sister traditions of Buddhism and Hinduism. Madhulika and her husband run a small sanctuary in CA, flying under the radar of the farmers around her. On former hunting grounds, they support cows, chickens, goats and other animals, in the hot and dry Northern CA environment. We had the opportunity to tour the sanctuary, speak to her and hear her sing soothing Indian songs to the animals in her care. What a treat! And an inspiration. Photos below. In the video she explains how caring for the animals is spiritual service, consistent with the Hindu teaching that all living beings are a family (Vasudhaiva Kutambukam) and how they teach her great lessons of love, forgiveness and trust.

Entering the sanctuary
PreetiRang founders with a rescue chicken

Text describing the mission of the sanctuary

Goat close up
Brushing one of the cows

Video interview with Madhulika about spiritual service

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Posted in Interfaith, Profiles, Sanctuaries

Veganism is a Part of Jainism, a persuasive presentation

Posted on August 28, 2022 | Leave a comment

Jain nuns and monks from a variety of sects address the violence in dairy products in the video, and then there is an extended discussion between three principled vegans about the overlap between Jain ahimsak practice and veganism. It is in Hindi with English subtitles.

This photo shows Acharya Chandanaji from Veerayatan showing compassion for animals, however, she is not one of the ascetics in the video voicing support for veganism.

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Posted in Activism, Dairy in India, Environmental, Health and Nutrition, Jain ascetics, Jain Philosophy, Talks

Vegan for Paryushan and Das Lakshan

Posted on August 27, 2022 | 1 comment

The Jain Vegan Initiative group has put together a great Community Cookbook with Vegan Paryushan recipes .

vegan-paryushan-cookbook_2022Download

Will you take this *Pledge:*? Please comment!

While we all move forward on the path of Ahimsa this Paryushan and Daslakshan, let us take a moment to introspect the impact of our actions in day-to-day life. Today, when innumerable animals are suffering in unimaginable ways for dairy products and other animal products, Jain values urge us to intervene. While we take all measures to reduce all forms of Hinsa by refusing to eat and hurt animals, our consumption – for example, that of dairy and dairy products – is inherently full of suffering. Let us take a pledge this time to not participate in this suffering. Let us take a pledge to give veganism a try this Paryushan/ Daslakshan, and take a pledge to refuse the consumption of any animal products and using the animals in any capacity.

This Paryushan and Dashalakshan, I decide to move forward on the path of Ahimsa. I refuse to participate in causing immense suffering to innumerable innocent animals suffer due to milk or use any other animal products. In face of this immense suffering, I vow to give veganism an honest try this Paryushan and Daslakshan.

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Posted in Health and Nutrition, Paryushan, Recipes

Climate Focused Jain Pratikraman: Recorded Guided Meditation with Text

Posted on August 19, 2022 | Leave a comment

As we prepare to observe Paryushan and Das Lakshan Parva for this year, here is a resource for those that may wish to practice a non traditional pratikraman. This guided meditation takes us through an application of our Jain values to the climate crisis, suggesting ways we can reflect on our actions and commit to making positive changes as individuals, in our communities and as world citizens. Going vegan and advocating for veganism on a large scale is an important part of the solution.

You can download the text of the pratikraman here.

climate-crisis-focused-pratrikrman9-10-21Download

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Posted in Environmental, General, Jain Philosophy, Paryushan, prayers, Talks

Animal Agriculture and Pandemics

Posted on March 16, 2022 | Leave a comment

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Posted in Uncategorized

Recording posted for “How Volunteering at Luvin Arms Sanctuary Changed Us”

Posted on February 21, 2022 | 1 comment

On Nov 27, drJina and Sunny spoke with Mihika and Mansi, two pre-medical college students who found new friends in residents of Luvin Arms, learned about veganism as they dove head first into vegan advocacy, and are navigating their college life after this transformative experience! A lively discussion followed with tips about transitioning to veganism, veganism in India, and health benefits of a whole foods healthy vegan diet.

Here are some of the segments of the webinar, if you want to skip to topics of particular interst.

For the first 10 minutes, we have the opening, introduction of the hosts, speakers and their immersion into advocacy

(10: 41) hear the stories linked to pictures of the animals they grew to know and love at Luvin Arms

 (23:06) Luvin Arms’ Ahimsa in Action video

(28:13) Interview with Sunny

(40:00)  Full group Q and A and discussion about resources, podcasts, videos, experiences about the transition to veganism

(56:31) veganism in India, including comments by Shilpi  

(1:06:58) health benefits of veganism, including chronic disease prevention/reversal and allergies in children, lactose intolerance

(1:11:32) more benefits of going vegan; weight loss, increased energy for Kolle, recommendations for Game Changers and What the Health documentaries

(1:15:06) links to connect with Luvin Arms, Ahimsak Eco Vegan Committee, and Jain Vegan Initiative 

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Posted in Activism, Dairy in India, Health and Nutrition, Sanctuaries, Webinar series

Consider how to help the earth this Paryushan

Posted on August 22, 2020 | Leave a comment

Earth pledge

 

We have just posted the Jain declaration on the climate crisis as a new page. Please read and consider it and on this day of Samvatsari for Svetambar Jains, consider if you’d like to endorse it and make any commitments. There is an endorse button at the top of the page. Above for illustrative purposes only. This is not the pledge associated with the Jain declaration.

Sailesh Rao of Climate Healers places our going vegan as the #1 thing we can do for the plant.

The book Drawdown and its associated website gives details of solutions in all different sectors.

My co-author, Sudhanshu, also describes the top 8 items you can do to address the climate crisis. Continue reading →

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Posted in Activism, Environmental, Jain Philosophy, Paryushan, Uncategorized

BhattarakJi Explains Why Vegan

Posted on May 16, 2020 | Leave a comment

At the last JAINA convention in 2019, I had the great honor of meeting and interviewing Shree Charukeerthi Bhattarak Panditacharyavarya Swami about ahimsa as the guidine principle for  Jains to should consider veganism.  He explains the lineage of other monks and teachers such as Chitrabhanuji that have inspired him. His gentle style “No force”, is a beautiful example of how we can encourage each other.

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Dairy in India, Jain ascetics, Talks

Easier than ever to eat yummy vegan food in India

Posted on January 5, 2020 | Leave a comment
img_9279

 

Vegan Jains went to India in November 2019 for a trip that combined medical care volunteering near Hyderabad, visiting a palliative care organization in Trivandram, visiting tourist sites up the Kerala coast, including the Mata Amritamaya Ashram, and then visiting family in Mumbai. From the traditional vegetarian food which had plenty of vegan options to unique vegan restaurants, to hotel breakfasts and specialties made by family, we found that those who catered to travelers had all heard of the word vegan, family was accustomed to preparing food vegan,  and the level of spice and oil, as well as food safety when eating out were bigger concerns than veganism.

We flew Air India on the way and were pretty disappointed by the bland food on the  long transpacific flight. However, I was delighted when upgraded to first class on the Delhi-Hyd leg AND, they had extra vegan meals so i could eat a nice Indian dinner. Arriving at the Novotel airport hotel, the breakfast buffet offered temptations that flew right in the face of eating with restraint! Made to order split mung crepes,  called pesarattu, as well as the more usual south Indian specialities of idli and dosa, as well as North indian breads such as cauliflower parathas along with fruit and nut loaded oatmeal, toast with vegan bread, soymilk and juice and all manner of international dishes left me full for the day.

Eating with our fellow volunteers in  rural districts around Hyderabad, we were able to avoid the yogurt (curd in India) ladled up by our colleague in the photo at the top, and still enjoy the dal, squash,mixed veg curry, chappati, rice and peeled cucumbers. There was a whole article on how Hyderabad was voted the most vegan friendly city in India and at the end of the trip we got to go to Smar Alec’s, an all vegan restaurant.

More Food Photos Below… keep reading……

Continue reading →

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Posted in Dairy in India

Jain sadhvi: Jain sutras prohibit dairy

Posted on September 16, 2019 | 2 comments

 

Jain ascetics are increasingly recognizing the violence inherent in dairy products and speaking out.
In this video, Sadhvi Vaibhavshree discusses the question “Being a Jain and a follower of nonviolence, should I consume milk or not? I am confused as my family and I do want to drink milk and I am not sure what to do.” Her talk is in Hindi. Thanks to Prof. Pankaj Jain for rendering the translation (to which i have made minimal changes, including re-ordering her ideas to emphasize her “big reveal”).

 

You will be surprised today. I am going to reveal a big truth for the Jain society. In the Jain sutras, dairy products are called vigai and are prohibited in our shastras. Even root vegetables are actually not prohibited in our texts. In the 16th and 17th chapters of Uttaradhyayan, Sthananga Sutra, dairy products are prohibited. It is mentioned that such products cause sexual desires so a spiritual seeker should avoid them. An ascetic consuming milk or yogurt cannot remain an ascetic and will become sinful. However, today, our Jain society does not renounce milk that is a product of five-sensed beings but some of us do renounce root vegetables that are products of one-sensed beings. We should prioritize avoiding the violence to five-sensed beings before worrying about violence to one-sensed beings. We make excuses about nonviolence but refuse to change our habits of consuming dairy products. I am sorry to say this. If one wants to practice nonviolence, start from self, be free from attachments and aversions, and avoid the stress. When we commit violence to ourselves, we also commit violence to the entire universe, according to Lord Mahavira in Acharang Sutra. Violence to one is violence to all.

Continue reading →

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Posted in Dairy in India, Jain ascetics, Jain Philosophy