I've always had a sneaky admiration for Jainism; especially their attitude towards all living creatures.
This may sound odd for a devoted atheist, carnivore, wasp/slug killer, but it's their attitude towards even the tiniest of insects that appeals to me.
On almost a daily basis I rescue insects from the pool. Usually I fish them out with my bare hand, hoping that they will recognise my kindness and not sting me. As of today they have all shown gratitude and NOT stung me, but I quite expect that one day one will (but not out of malice).
However, my application to enrol as a Jain would, no doubt, be instantly rejected, as I do swat horse flies, wasps, and hornets; something I wouldn't do if they left me alone. If Jainism contained a codicil that allowed slug and black fly eradication, as well as turning a blind-eye to wasp/hornet/cabbage white butterfly killing, then I might just pass the test.
The illustration above is the symbol of the united Jain sects; it was only recently agreed upon, in 1974. The swastika is the most important Jain symbol, it represents peace and well-being; the hand and wheel represents non-violence. Two Jainism ideals that we should all adopt, although I wouldn't recommend brandishing the swastika; a few may not understand..
I tend to rescue spiders out of the bath too. My inty is working a lot better this mornig - must have been going on line in the rush hour or the big provider in the sky has been listening. Pleased now!
ReplyDeleteGood to hear that Molly. It tends to happen on Sunday mornings here!
DeleteLaudable, but far too exhaustingly high-brow for me - I shall instead continue to shuffle along doing the best that I can while still giving in to my instincts regarding climbing trees, baring my teeth, stealing windscreen wipers from visitor's cars, squabbling over a seat on the best rock and hiding my peanuts where the sun doesn't shine in my arsenal villa are doing awfully well this year, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteI was never cut out to be a nun of any variety - I shoot far too many wasps and fail to mourn their passing.
Hi Cro, you might be more of a hermit than me but we are on a level with the rescuing and destroying business. Heck, there is a little weta living in a tree which I am trying to prune. Everytime I nose the chainsaw into the crotch the poor wee thing scuttles out in fright, antennae a quiver, and I pull back till another day...
ReplyDeleteThe Tragedy by the way was double. Loss of my man from a sudden heart attack just as we were entering a new phase of Life, followed by the Christchurch Earthquake in February 2011, which was arguably as heart wrenching as losing my mate. But I am blessed to lead the life that I do - not so different to yours in a way. It has certainly given me a a fresh outlook on Life and Death - insects included :-)
I'm very sorry to hear that; I'd imagined it was something similar. We all heard about the dreadful earthquake of course, and I imagine it is still affecting people. My sincere sympathy on your own personal loss. Stay strong!
DeleteOK, I also had to look-up 'Weta'. Looks like one of our Crickets, but specifically native to NZ. Now I know!
DeleteJust back from walking the dogs. Perfect morning; warm, clear blue sky, and 3 eggs in the laying box. What could be better. Expecting 32 degrees C later.
ReplyDeleteMorning Cro - I understand what you are saying - I am far too kind to insects for my own good - live and let live is my motto in life - except for slugs of course. Although I do tend to hurl them rather than kill.
ReplyDeleteJainism sounds purpose made for you Elaine (except for the slugs). Actually, I quite expect the Jaines surreptitiously slaughter a few slugs from time to time!
DeleteI'm afraid I would fall at the hurdle of spiders. I am unable to allow them to live once I have spotted them.
ReplyDeleteJust off to sweep the dead slugs from the patio ;-)
ReplyDeleteOff my property all life is sacred....but let a bug or rodent veture within these walls and it's fair game.
ReplyDeleteI always understood the Janists swept the insects from their path because of their belief in re-incarnation. Just might be your long-passed mother you might be stepping on!
ReplyDeleteA lot of the maps in asia still use the swastika to identify temple locations. Sad how an ancient symbol can be hi-jacked!
Yes, I too have this image of the Jaines all sweeping their paths. That's what I wanted to illustrate the above, but nothing was on file.
DeleteI had to look Janism up as I had never heard of it before. Their beliefs that anger comes in the way of good human relations, pride destroys humility, deceit destroys peace, and greed destroys good judgement is very much like Buddhism. If only more religions practiced those principles. I'm with you though, slugs of all kinds have to go.
ReplyDeleteAs a farmgirl, I work alongside all kinds of bees wasps spiders with no problem and in the house I let them scurry to safety. EXCEPT for spider eggs. For some reason they make me go into a Slingblade furry. I've been known to make tea out of them. Good protein and all.
ReplyDeleteSpider egg Tea.... now there's a thought!
DeleteI tend to catch house spiders, bugs etc. in a plastic pot and chuck them out of the window. I just don't like squashing things - it makes such a mess.
ReplyDelete(Phew, too hot this afternoon Cro - we've had to put sun parasols over the potager to stop the lettuce from wilting!)
I shall have the sprinkler on this evening for an hour!
DeleteSnakes. I would not qualify for this religion. All snakes have to go. sorry.
ReplyDeleteI have a question, Cro. What do YOU do with all your figs? I am interested in trying something different.
I just saw your pickled tomato question. It really depends of the size. I try to keep them uniform, mostly quartered or halved. But if they are wee, then I leave them whole with a tiny slit in them. If you like you may use my email, as many times I do not get back to comments on the blog. alabamakatg@gmail.com
DeleteThanks for that, Kat; I am about to do a second lot, and just wondered! Last time I did them quartered.... very good.
Deletere Figs: I used to bottle them in syrup, which I though was good, but Lady M turned her nose up at them. Now we just tend to eat them off the tree, or slice in half and fry with drizzle of honey.
DeleteThanks, Cro. I don't do the syrup method anymore either, as no one will eat them. I used to preserve them too, but again, we are not much for the sweets. But I put up some (as you will see on my blog) and this recipe is great and adds a little kick to the otherwise bland figs. I am not sure who will eat them, but I had to give it a try. You have so many trees, how can you eat all those figs?
DeleteInteresting post Cro in the light of my fox blog yesterday - thanks for your reply by the way. I am not sure how far I could go along with Jainism having been to Nova Scotia a couple of years ago during the black fly season - they were the size of small planes, and they flew in to attack the moment one left one's room.
ReplyDeleteI learned about Jainism in high school, and liked it very much, but as others have mentioned, i, too, have those on my list that must go.
ReplyDeleteI've swatted easily a million mosquitoes in my life thus far. And, when we had a flea infestation a year ago, i actually said aloud, "Death to all fleas."
When i lived in a flat where there were cockroaches, i quickly learned to kill those without remorse.
I capture spiders and stinging insects that are in the house and let them go free outside. Sometimes i kill the flies and sometimes i don't.
I also kill slugs, and i eat meat.
Epic fail on the Jainism test for me i'm afraid.
Could we start an 'Almost Jainism' sect? I think we have them queueing at the door!
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