Protection of All Life
All living beings, from the smallest organism to the largest, deserve protection.
Jainism recognizes life in plants, microorganisms, elements, and all creatures. Even one-sensed beings like water, fire, earth, and air elements contain souls deserving protection and respect.
All breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain.
This expansive view of life forms the basis of Jain environmental ethics.
Jain Agamas
Written about in
- What Jainism says about ahimsa and non-violence
Life is recognised much further down than most traditions take it, including microorganisms and the elements. The circle of protection is drawn very wide.