Ecology and ethics in jainism and buddhism

Ecological ethics is an element of eco philosophy, which is an amalgamation of ecology and philosophy. This paper aims to explore the traditions and practices that Jainism and Buddhism follow with the objective of unravelling the underlying eco-philosophy and ecological ethics embedded in these religions. Jainism is strictly an ethical philosophy whose sole aim is liberation, and to attain that, Jainism prescribes certain values, which include conquering and controlling of passions and desires. Jainism elaborately discusses about the ways and means to achieve so, as this unchecked passion and desires are primarily responsible for creating disturbances in the rhythm of nature. In this sense, Jain a ethics can be termed as an ecologically sensitive philosophy.

Subsequently, Buddhist ecology is prominently known as non-violent ecology, in the sense that Buddhism conceives a society as that which is ecologically sustainable and socially just. Non killing and compassionate attitude towards all beings form the core of Buddhist ecology. The study delves deep into the traditions and practices in Jainism and Buddhism that are not only ecofriendly and harmonious, but also teach the philosophies that envision a salient sustainable world.