अहिसंक धर्म एवं विज्ञान के आलोक में अपना आहार
Summary
This paper argues that vegetarianism is the only truly non-violent diet, countering the claim that since plants have life, there is no difference between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. The author, a botany researcher, examines this argument through Jain scripture and science. While acknowledging that plants are living beings, the paper stresses that Jainism classifies them as *sthavar* (stationary) beings with only one sense (touch), unlike *tras* (mobile) beings with two to five senses. Non-violence is minimized by consuming plants, which is necessary for survival. The paper refutes the common belief that Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose first proved life in plants, noting that ancient philosophers like Aristotle and Hindu scriptures already recognized plant life. Bose’s experiments actually demonstrated sensitivity in plants and even metals, not life equal to animals. The paper uses logical, religious, and scientific arguments to show that similarities between plants and animals do not make them equal, just as coal, graphite, and diamond are all carbon but are not the same. Scientifically, the animal kingdom is distinguished by a nervous system, which plants lack. The paper concludes that Bose’s findings do not challenge vegetarianism and that promoting a unified, non-violent vegetarian diet is essential for addressing global food and water crises.
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Conclusion
This document clarifies that Jain philosophy and science both distinguish between plant and animal life, refuting the argument that vegetarianism and non-vegetarianism are equivalent. The key implication is that Dr. Jagdish Chandra Bose’s research on plant sensitivity does not equate plants with animals; rather, it aligns with the Jain view that plants, like earth and water, are a form of life with minimal sensory capacity. The outcome is a reaffirmation that a vegetarian diet remains the most non-violent and energy-efficient choice, as consuming plants directly causes the least harm and resource waste. The paper urges all advocates of non-violence to unite in promoting vegetarianism without getting entangled in debates over plant life, thereby strengthening the ethical and scientific foundation for a compassionate diet.