ABHAY DAAN
The highest form of charity for Jains is, ‘ Abhay Daan ‘. Abay Daan means giving someone protection from fear,fear of death. Compassion towards all living beings, animal welfare, serving the needy and feeding the hungry all fall under the concept of, ‘ Abhay Daan’. The question is how do we practice Abhay Daan in everyday life? In our personal lives we have to ensure that we are not involved in Hinsa or violence. An example is that you are sitting in your bath and you see an insect at the other end. There is a race to shut the water tap and gently move the insect to a safe place. Another example is that you are in a hurry to go to work and notice a bumble bee in your room which is trying to get out. Would you spare a few minutes and open the windows and the door to let it out? If you do then you are practising Abhay Daan. From this Ahimsa to avoiding meat restaurants, avoiding wearing leather shoes, not buying shares in companies which exploit animals, not buying goods that have animal ingredients like sweets, toothpastes, soap etc. To protect trees and respect all natures creation. To grab the opportunity if it came along to feed or give water to animals or birds-this could be anywhere, either at home or abroad on holiday. Abhay Daan is also about being proactive to reduce the suffering of all living beings-human and animal. Supporting animal sanctuaries, campaigning against research companies which carry out cruel experiments on animals, fox hunting and hunting of all animals, export of live animals, joining hands with organisations which work relentlessly to reduce and end the suffering of factory farmed animals. There are thousands of English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish men and women in this country who work tirelessly to end the suffering of animals, many even go to other countries including India to work for stray animals and animals that are abused by humans. Donkey’s in Egypt, stray dogs in India and many other countries, they work in most difficult circumstances to educate people into showing compassion to animals. For me all these people are Jains! Indeed we have given Mahaveer Awards to many of these individuals and organisations. When push comes to shove will we stick to our principles? How many parents can tell their children that even if you have to go hungry never eat meat? How many do not mind their darlings eating Omelet?! Where are the Jain mothers who will tell their children leaving home for University that even if you land on the Moon I forbid you to eat meat? It is very sad when we hear that Jains are eating meat. How quickly do we resort to violence if we have mice in our homes or are bitten by mosquitos? The mice can be your guests till you catch them in a humane trap and release them in a field. While you can take precaution to not get bitten by mosquitos you do not kill them. We have this priceless heritage of Karuna-compassion and yet we are failing to make the most of this human form of life that we have. An opportunity like this comes after many, many births, we should not let it to go to waste by not doing anything. Jains should be in the forefront of campaigns to grant animals fundamental rights, rights that we humans take for granted. Our Ahimsa is the Ahimsa of the brave not the meek. The whole world is beginning to realise that meat eating is destroying our planet and human health. The moment has come to take ownership of our Jain heritage and boldly promote vegetarianism. For the last 28 years we have been organising a Christmas Vegetarian Lunch for our English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish friends. Not only does this event promote vegetarianism it also promotes friendship and understanding. The key word is generosity-generosity of mind and spirit. Ahimsa is the root of our heritage, nurture it well. As long as Ahimsa is practised by Jains and Hindus their heritage will survive. Each one of us should ask this question-what am I doing to promote Ahimsa?
Nitin Mehta MBE
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