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	Mahavira proclaimed a profound truth for all times to come when he said:
	"One who neglects or disregards the existence of earth, air, fire, water and vegetation disregards his own existence which is entwined with them"
	Jain cosmology recognizes the fundamental natural phenomenon of symbiosis or mutual dependence, which forms the basis of the modern day science of ecology. It is relevant to recall that the term `ecology' was coined in the latter half of the nineteenth century from the Greek word oikos, meaning `home', a place to which one returns. Ecology is the branch of biology, which deals with the relations of organisms to their surroundings and to other organisms.
	The ancient Jain scriptural aphorism Parasparopagraho jivanan (All life is bound together by mutual support and interdependence) is refreshingly contemporary in its premise and perspective. It defines the scope of modern ecology while extending it further to a more spacious 'home'. It means that all aspects of nature belong together and are bound in a physical as well as a metaphysical relationship. Life is viewed as a gift of togetherness, accommodation and assistance in a universe teeming with interdependent constituents.

3. Anekantavada ( the doctrine of manifold aspects )

The concept of universal interdependence underpins the Jain theory of knowledge, known as anekantavada or the doctrine of manifold aspects.

Anekantavada describes the world as a multifaceted, everchanging reality with an infinity of viewpoints depending on the time, place, nature and state of the one who is the viewer and that which is viewed.

This leads to the doctrine of syadvada or relativity, which states that truth is relative to different viewpoints (nayas). What is true from one point of view is open to question from another. Absolute truth cannot be grasped from any particular viewpoint alone because absolute truth is the sum total of all the different viewpoints that make up the universe.

Because it is rooted in the doctrines of anekantavada and syadvada, Jainism does not look upon the universe from an anthropocentric, ethnocentric or egocentric viewpoint. It takes into account the viewpoints of other species, other communities and nations and other human beings.

The discipline of non violence, the recognition of universal interdependence and the logic of the doctrine of manifold aspects, leads inexorably to the avoidance of dogmatic, intolerant, inflexible, aggressive, harmful and unilateral attitudes towards the world around. It inspires the personal quest of every Jain for samyaktva (equanimity) towards both jiva (animate beings) and ajiva (inanimate substances and objects). It encourages an attitude of give and take and of live and let live. It offers a pragmatic peace plan based, not on the domination of nature, nations or other people, but on an equanimity of mind devoted to the preservation of the balance of the universe.

Although the term `ahimsa' is stated in the negative (a = non, himsa = violence), it is rooted in a host of positive aims and actions which have great relevance to contemporary environmental concerns.

Ahimsa is an aspect of daya (compassion, empathy and charity), described by a great Jain teacher as "the beneficent mother of all beings" and "the elixir for those who wander in suffering through the ocean of successive rebirths."

Jiva daya means caring for and sharing with all living beings, tending, protecting and serving them. It entrails universal friendliness (maitri), universal forgiveness (kshama) and universal fearlessness (abhaya).

Jains, whether monks, nuns or householders, therefore, affirm prayerfully and sincerely, that their heart is filled with forgiveness for all living beings and that they have sought and received the forgiveness of all beings, that they crave the friendship of all beings, that all beings give them their friendship and that there is not the slightest feeling of alienation or enmity in their heart for anyone or anything. They also pray that forgiveness and friendliness may reign throughout the world and that all living beings may cherish each other.

Jains do not acknowledge an intelligent first cause as the creator of the universe.
The Jain theory is that the universe has no beginning or end.
It is traced to jiva and ajiva, the two everlasting, uncreated, independent and coexisting categories.
Consciousness is jiva.
That which has no consciousness is ajiva.

Pudgala ( matter ) has form and consists of individual atoms ( paramanu ) and conglomerates of atoms ( skandha ) which can be seen, heard, smelt, tasted and/or touched. According to Jains, energy, or the phenomena of sound, darkness, shade, heat, light and the like, is produced by conglomerates of atoms.

The jiva (soul) has no form but, during its worldly career, it is vested with a body and becomes subject to an inflow of karmic `dust' ( asravas ). These are the subtle material particles that are drawn to a soul because of its worldly activities. The asrawas bind the soul to the physical world until they have brought about the karmic result when they fall away `like ripe fruit' by which time other actions have drawn more asravas to the soul.

With the exception of the Arihantas ( the Ever Perfect ) and the Siddhas ( the Liberated ), who have dispelled the passions which provide the `glue' for the asravas, all souls are in karmic bondage to the universe.

They go through a continuous cycle of death and rebirth in a personal evolution that can lead at last to moksha ( eternal release ).

In this cycle there are countless souls at different stages of their personal evolution; earth bodies, water bodies, fire bodies, air bodies, vegetable bodies, and mobile bodies ranging from bacteria, insects, worms, birds and larger animals to human beings, infernal beings and celestial beings.

The Jain evolutionary theory is based on a grading of the physical bodies containing souls according to the degree of sensory perception. All souls are equal but are bound by varying amounts of asravas ( karmic particles ) which is reflected in the type of body they inhabit.

The lowest form of physical body has only the sense of touch.
Trees and vegetation have the sense of touch and are therefore able to experience pleasure and pain, and have souls.

Mahavira taught that only the one who understood the grave demerit and detriment caused by destruction of plants and trees understood the meaning and merit of reverence for nature.

Even metals and stones might have life in them and should not be dealt with recklessly.

Above the single sense jivas are micro organisms and small animals with two, three or four senses.

The highest grade of animals and human beings also possess rationality and intuition ( manas ).

As a highly evolved form of life, human beings have a great moral responsibility in their mutual dealings and in their relationship with the rest of the universe.

It is this conception of life and its eternal coherence, in which human beings have an inescapable ethical responsibility that made the Jain tradition a cradle for the creed of environmental protection and harmony.

1. The five vratas (vows)
The five vratas (vows) in the Jain code of conduct are:

The other vows may be viewed as aspects of ahimsa which together form an integrated code of conduct in the individual's quest for equanimity and the three jewels (ratna traya) of right faith, right knowledge and right conduct.

The vows are undertaken at an austere and exacting level by the monks and nuns and are then called maha vratas ( great vows ).

They are undertaken at a more moderate and flexible level by householders and called the anu vratas ( `atomic' or basic vows ).

Underlying the Jain code of conduct is the emphatic assertion of individual responsibility towards one and all.
Indeed, the entire universe is the forum of one's own conscience.
The code is profoundly ecological in its secular thrust and its practical consequences.

The transgressions against the vow of non violence include all forms of cruelty to animals and human beings.

Many centuries ago, Jains condemned as evil the common practice of animal sacrifice to the gods.

It is generally forbidden to keep animals in captivity, to whip, mutilate or overload them or to deprive them of adequate food and drink.

The injunction is modified in respect of domestic animals to the extent that they may be roped or even whipped occasionally but always mercifully with due consideration and without anger.

Except for allowing themselves a judicious use of one sensed life in the form of vegetables, Jains would not consciously take any life for food or sport.

As a community they are strict vegetarians, consuming neither meat, fish nor eggs.
They confine themselves to vegetable and milk products.

By taking the basic vows, the Jain laity endeavor to live a life of moderation and restraint and to practice a measure of abstinence and austerity.

They must not procreate indiscriminately lest they overburden the universe and its resources.
Regular periods of fasting for self purification are encouraged.

In their use of the earth's resources Jains take their cue from "the bee [that] sucks honey in the blossoms of a tree without hurting the blossom and strengthens itself'.

Wants should be reduced, desires curbed and consumption levels kept within reasonable limits.

Using any resource beyond one's needs and misuse of any part of nature is considered a form of theft.

Indeed, the Jain faith goes one radical step further and declares unequivocally that waste and creating pollution are acts of violence.

Accumulation of possessions and enjoyment for personal ends should be minimized. Giving charitable donations and one's time for community projects generously is a part of a Jain householder's obligations. That explains why the Jain temples and pilgrimage centers are well endowed and well managed. It is this sense of social obligation born out of religious teachings that has led the Jains to found and maintain innumerable schools, colleges, hospitals, clinics, lodging houses, hostels, orphanages, relief and rehabilitation camps for the handicapped, old, sick and disadvantaged as well as hospitals for ailing birds and animals. Wealthy individuals are advised to recognize that beyond a certain point their wealth is superfluous to their needs and that they should manage the surplus as trustees for social benefit.

The five fundamental teachings of Jainism and the five fold Jain code of conduct outlined in this Declaration are deeply rooted in its living ethos in unbroken continuity across the centuries.

They offer the world today a time tested anchor of moral imperatives and a viable route plan for humanity's common pilgrimage for holistic environmental protection, peace and harmony in the universe.