The Trumpeter - Journal of Ecosophy (Athabasca University)
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Karmic Ecology: Lessons from the Jain Dharma
Get PDFJainism is one of the most ancient doctrines of the Indic tradition. Despite – or because of – its antiquity, it resonates well with modern concerns, in particular the concerns of the ecological movement. Jains attach high importance to the diversity and the intrinsic value of all life. They believe strongly in human reasoning and freedom of conscience for the individual. At the same time, they regard human creativity as conferring responsibilities rather than privileges, and the attempt to exercise unrestrained power as a sign of weakness rather than strength, one-sided ignorance rather than knowledge. The basis of Jainism is Ahimsa, which means non-violence or the conduct of social relationships in ways that consciously avoid harm. Jains extend the concept of society to the entire web of life, and human relationships with the rest of nature.
The parallels between the Jain perspective and the perspective of Deep Ecology are fairly explicit. The distinctive Jain theory of karma is of interest to ecologists for tow principal reasons. First, it is based on the idea of a connecting web or network of life that corresponds with scientific understanding and ecological theory. Secondly, way of ‘living as if nature mattered’ through reducing negative human impact on the environment and working with rather than against the grain of nature. Jain doctrines of non-violence deeply influenced Mahatma Gandhi’s political thought and action. Today’s ecologists can also have their understanding enriched by this ancient source of wisdom
Kolam: The Art of Remembering
Get PDFSeries of poems on the folk art of Kolam, traditionally practised by women in India. The art of Kolam of the women in South India provides the conceptual and visual framework for the specific forms of women’s struggles, triumphs and negotiations across socio-economic, religious and geo-political boundaries of India, as well as nature-culture divides. Kolam is a folk art form of designs made with rice paste, lime, white stone or ground colors (known as “Rangoli” in other parts of India) that transforms the mud or concrete entrance floors of village huts, temple entrances, courtyards, as well as city houses, and are also displayed on walls. Mainly the women’s art form, it is passed on from mother to daughter through a careful and deft looping of curves around dots, from simple to complex geometrical patterns
