Non-Violence
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eat only rice, lentils and vegetables, which is the ideal diet.
Foods are categorized in this manner and anyone can
choose the category of his preference. The descriptions of the
different categories are given to enhance one’s knowledge and
not for the purpose of enforcement. The Lord had made these
distinctions to break the veils of ignorance obscuring the Soul.
The Evening Meal: Before or After Sunset?
Questioner: In Jainism it is forbidden to eat after dark.
Can you tell us more about this?
Dadashri: As far as the timing of food intake is concerned,
it is best not to eat after dark. This is the best approach, but it has
nothing to do with religion. It became incorporated into religion
because one makes greater religious progress as one’s body
becomes healthier. As far as religion is concerned not eating after
dark serves to cleanse the body, but it is not mandatory.
Questioner: So is it for the health of the body or the sin
involved, that the Vitraags advocated not eating after dark?
Dadashri: It is meant for the health of the body, as well as
for the practice of ahimsa.
Questioner: But why shouldn’t we eat after dark?
Dadashri: According to the principles of Jainism and
Vedanta, evening meals should always be eaten while the sun is
still present. The Vedanta view holds that your internal organs are
more receptive during the daytime allowing the process of digestion
to occur. The Jain view, based on what the Tirthankars have said,
maintains that all living beings return home when the sun sets.
At times, because of the clouds it may be difficult to see
whether or not the sun has set, but the embodied souls have an
internal power that allows them to sense the day’s end. One can
tell that the day has ended when the life-forms return home. Even