Cow protection in Jainism
- Jain religion’s mainstay is non-violence. Hence, they do not harm cow or any other animal or bird.
- When Jainism flourished, they were active in cow protection. They built huge cowsheds and made cow rearing part of their lifestyle. Cruelty against cows, starving them, overloading, mutilating their body were all prohibited by law.
- One’s wealth was assessed by the number of cows he possessed. One Vraja/Gokula = 10,000 cows. Ten citizens who owned maximum cows were named “Rajagriha Mahashataka” and “Kashiyachulanipita.”
- Mahaveera had ordered his disciples to rear 60,000 cows.
- When Ananda became a disciple of Mahaveera, he vowed to run 8 Gokulas.
