Faithandfood Fact
Files - Jainism
"Meat
can never be obtained without injury to living
creatures, and injury to sentient beings is detrimental
to the attainment of heavenly bliss; let him therefore
shun the use of meat."
The Manu-samhita
Forbidden
ingredients
Main food beliefs
Vegetarianism
Eating in restaurants
Feasting and fasting
Links
Contact
About the writer
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Which
ingredients are forbidden?
- Meat
- Fish
- Eggs
- Honey
- Figs
Strict Jains do not eat
root vegetables, garlic, onions
All foods that might have
meat, fish and eggs.
What
are the main laws or beliefs relating to food?
As Jitubhai Shah, director of the L.D.
Institute of Indology in Ahmedabad, India, says:
"The Jain lifestyle is a perfect enunciation
of ahimsa… The reason Jains don't normally
eat or drink anything after sundown is because
it is believed that doing so would cause the death
of minute microorganisms that emerge in the dark.
The entire lifestyle is geared towards causing
least harm to other creatures and the environment…”
Apart from not eating
meat, fish and eggs, strict Jains do not eat onions
and garlic because they increase sexual desires.
Strict Jains also do not eat any root vegetables
like potatoes because smaller insects are killed
in their harvest and the vegetable itself will
have millions of bacteria.
Is
there a link with vegetarianism?
The emblem of the Jain religion, symbolizes
its main tenet, the doctrine of Ahimsa, nonviolence.
The practice of Jain asceticism, the avoidance of
harm to any living creature, is central to the Jain
practise of vegetarianism.
In
general, will people of this faith eat in a food
outlet that serves food or drink that does not
conform to their beliefs?
When
and why do people of this faith feast and fast?
Links
to websites with further information:
http://www.lifepositive.com/Spirit/world-religions/
jainism/jain.asp
http://www.allaahuakbar.net/jain/
ahimsa_and_non.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/jainism/
If you have any question
about the dietary practises or beliefs in this
faith, you may contact
Written
by Nitin Mehta MBE
Nitin
was born in Kenya in a Jain family and came to
the UK in 1972. He formed the Young Indian Vegetarians
in 1978 and over the years has campaigned extensively
and is well known for the Hyde Park rallies. Nitin
also started vegetarian societies in Kenya, Mauritius,
Portugal and Delhi. Nitin edits the newsletter
Ahimsa, and in 1999 received an MBE for services
to the community. Nitin has written numerous articles
and books on Vegetarianism.
Note: Some people who
are Jains do not observe the dietary laws stated
above. Prohibitions and restrictions even within
a particular faith may change between denominations
or branches. Please do not take this as an authoritative
list. This page is meant as a guide only are the
beliefs of the writer.
The Faithandfood Fact
File bookmarks are the same for each religion.
Compare this religion with the dietary beliefs
of another faith by clicking on the name of the
religion on the toolbar on the left.
