kyburg | (Reply)

From:

studiogaijin.livejournal.com

I'm glad you understand it better than it seemed like you did, but I still agree with

lysana that (I think) it's about mourning and not thanking.

He might be more diplomatic about it, but I don't feel like coddling anyone today. I didn't really know about Jainism before, but from what I've read since you posted that, I still believe you're just trying to see it the way you want to.

Here is some clear text on the subject from his religion:

Thus say all the Lords and Conquerors, whether past present or to come. Thus they speak, thus they declare, thus they proclaim in unison: All things breathing, all things existing, all things living, all beings whatever, should not be slain nor treated with violence, nor insulted, nor tortured, nor driven away.

This is the pure, unchanging, Eternal Law, which the clever ones, who understand this world, have declared: among the earnest and the non-earnest, among the loyal and the not-loyal, among the cruel and the not-cruel, among those who are weak and those who are not, among those who delight in worldly ties and those who do not: that is the truth, that is so, that is proclaimed in this creed.

When he adopts this Law a man should never conceal or reject it....What is here declared has been seen, heard, approved, and understood. Those who give way, and indulge in pleasure, will be born again and again. Perceive that the heedless are outside the hope of salvation. But if you are mindful day and night, striving steadfastly with ready vision, in the end you will conquer.

Acharanga Sutra (1:4:1)

If you actually acknowledge and accept what you're doing then you come out above most people on my list on this issue, but don't mistake what the Jains are doing for them supporting you or thanking anything for giving its life for you because they believe you are doing wrong.

Anyway, don't worry about looking loony, I'm sure people think I'm loonier than you already, and if they knew what I really thought they'd probably stone me to death. ;) Maybe I'll get around to posting it in my journal sometime...