Frontiers of understanding

"The Frontiers of Peace" is a BBC-Wales documentary from 1986 about Jainism, a minority religion in India with certain similarities to both Buddhism and Hinduism. After watching it, I have to say that I´m tempted to insult the religious feelings of these particular life-bodies. Jainism must be the most silly religion in the world! Or is it just my bad karma talking?

Jainism was founded by the sage Mahavira about 600 BCE. Mahavira is often considered to be a contemporary of Buddha. The religion preaches "ahimsa" (strict non-violence) and extreme asceticism. The monks and nuns showed in the documentary belong to the Svetambara sect, considered to be the "moderate" wing of the religion. Jain ascetics must always walk on foot, barefooted. They sleep on the ground, frequently fast, and only eat simple vegetarian food offerings. Some wear masks in order not to accidentally kill insects by inhaling them. All ascetics sweep the ground before them for the same reason - they don´t want to stomp on any insects by accident. Monks and nuns are only allowed to drink water which have been cooked and distilled, once again to remove any insects. If a monk or non have become too old to keep the Jain rituals and rules, they are allowed to "meditate until death", that is, starve themselves to death. 

You would think a religion like this couldn´t possibly be compatible with worldly success. You would be wrong. The Jain community is among the richest in India, many Jains being succesful businessmen with a Western education! These are of course not monks, but lay people. "The Frontiers of Peace" interviews a super-rich Jain industrialist, who admits quite freely that there is a contradiction between traditional Jain precepts and his capitalist activity, based on "accumulation". He doesn´t have any good solution, but plans to eventually retire and live a simple life...when he becomes really old, and has bestowed his considerable property onto his children and some charities. The documentary shows the industrialist walking around in his textile plant together with an advisor, who turns out to be a Jain monk...

This in itself is weird, but more is to come. The Jains operate a number of animal rescues, where cows and other beasts destined for the slaughter house are allowed to live out their lives, unhindered. The specimens in question are clearly in very bad shape, some are actually dying. However, ahimsa means a strict prohibition even against mercy killings of clearly suffering animals. The "animal rescue" turns out to be a place of wanton cruelty to animals. Apparently, the Jains formally protested when Mahatma Gandhi had a suffering calf killed at his ashram in Ahmedabad. The documentary even features a Jain whose father was part of the delegation the Jains sent to Gandhi to argue against him! 

"The Frontiers of Peace" features interviews with several girls, aged around 20, who have decided to become Jain nuns. One of them comes from a very rich family and has even spent some time in the United States, while the other is probably an orphan who sees no prospect for herself in the secular world. The intiation ritual is shown. Even more perplexing is the interview with a Jain who left the monastic order after hearing about the launch of Sputnik. This made him realize that the Earth is round, while Jain scriptures explicitly teach that its flat. Ironically, the man now works as an astrologer and palmist! I suppose Sputnik didn´t disprove them... 

The contradictions and sheer hypocrisy of this religion seem legion. Monks are obsessed about not killing bedbugs and mosquitoes, while letting cows die horrible deaths. Meanwhile, laymen are succesful capitalists. (Do they even let their workers unionize, I wonder?) No, I can´t say I became more understanding towards Jainism after watching this.

Final point. The documentary is only about 40 minutes long. For some reason, this particular YouTube channel has uploaded it twice in the same video clip.