JAINA Ahimsa Eco-Vegan Committee

Tag: ahimsa-awakening-story

  • From Spreadsheets to Spreading Compassion

    For twenty years, my world was defined by the sharp logic of international investment banking. It was a world of spreadsheets, calculated risks, and financial acumen. Yet, amidst the rapid pace of global finance, a different kind of calculation began to weigh on me—one that couldn’t be balanced on a traditional ledger.

    Coming from a vegetarian family, the concept of Ahimsa (non-violence) was already woven into the fabric of my personal life. But I began to see a disconnect between my personal values and the broader impact of the global systems I was a part of. I spent years in sustainable finance, observing how daily choices could drive systemic change, but I yearned to make that impact tangible, immediate, and personal.

    I realized that if I wanted to make a difference in reducing suffering and living sustainably, food was the natural choice to work on. Because it is an activity performed by eight billion people, three times a day… Sadly, this activity is responsible for the loss of trillions of lives every year and the ongoing degradation of Mother Earth.

    The “economic rationale” for leaving a stable banking career to open a café might have seemed thin to my former colleagues. Some might call it a midlife crisis; I call it a “delicious detour.”

    This journey manifested in the creation of Pause Your Everyday Cafe, a space in Bandra, Mumbai, that is less about business and more about a philosophy of living. The café serves as a physical extension of my commitment to Ahimsa. By curating a strictly plant-based menu, I invite people to experience a lifestyle that is kind to animals and the planet while being delicious and fulfilling. I believe that letting people discover their own journey to live a more Ahimsak life is key, rather than forcing it on anyone. And everyone needs some time to process change for living more compassionately.

  • For health, compassion and harmony with our planet

    My path to veganism has been a journey—not a destination. It began in 1985, when I was a medical student at Boston University and received a scholarship to promote the use of soybeans in rural communities of Madhya Pradesh, India. During that time, I discovered soy milk as a substitute for dairy and tofu as a replacement for paneer. These insights led to the creation of a cookbook I co-authored with my mother, Laxmi Jain, which can be found at www.laxmijain.com.

    My understanding deepened during JAINA conventions and visits from Jain spiritual leaders, where I became more aware of the industrialization of dairy production and its ethical and environmental implications. Inspired by Jain principles of Ahimsa (non-violence), I began integrating soy milk and tofu into my daily meals and gradually shifted my lifestyle.

    Over the years, I’ve become over 90% vegan. I actively choose and promote plant-based options and, in my role as Chairman of JAINA’s Long Range Planning Committee, I’ve supported several vegan initiatives across North America.

    While the transition has required intention, it hasn’t been difficult. For me, veganism is not about restriction—it’s a mindset grounded in compassion and sustainability. I believe in sharing my journey and offering support to others without imposing my choices. I respect that everyone walks their own path.

    My hope is that one day, the words “Vegan” and “Jain way of life” will be synonymous. A plant-based lifestyle rooted in non-violence can serve as a powerful force for health, compassion, and harmony on our planet. Becoming vegan may begin with a small step, but it carries the potential to create lasting change—for ourselves, for animals, and our planet.

  • From Vegetarian by Birth to Vegan by Choice

    I have been in the United States since 1990 and have been a vegetarian since birth. Growing up, I never understood the cruelty behind the dairy industry. In October 2007, a friend sent me a link to www.meat.org. The video I watched revealed the harsh reality of cruelty in the meat, dairy and poultry industries. That moment opened my eyes—and I became vegan the same day. I will always be grateful to my friend for sharing that video, even though he himself still favors dairy over plant-based alternatives.

    My wife, Neeta, soon joined me in adopting a vegan lifestyle. In 2020, our children, Avani and Aakash, also became vegan out of compassion and after seeing their benefits. Today, our entire family is proud to live a vegan lifestyle.

    The transformation has been remarkable. Spiritually, we feel more aligned with the Jain principle of Ahimsa—nonviolence toward all living beings, including even the smallest one-sense life forms (ekendriya jivs). Consuming dairy involves the exploitation and suffering of highly sentient animals (sangni panchendriya jivas), which directly contradicts Jain values.

    Our physical health has improved significantly, and mentally, we feel lighter and more at peace. On a spiritual level, veganism has deepened our compassion and connection with all life. Beyond personal benefits, it is also a powerful way to help protect our planet, as a vegan lifestyle reduces environmental harm.

    For us, veganism is not just a diet—it is the true Jain way of living: a path that honors life, promotes health, nurtures the planet, and strengthens the soul.

  • Started for Health, Stayed for Compassion

    We’re a plant-powered family. We met at YJA 2008 in Chicago. Together, we’re raising our two beautiful children, Lana (8) and Dilan (5), with love, intention, and a deep respect for all living beings. That means raising them vegan, just like us.

    Our journey into veganism began in 2009. We were looking to take better care of our health at the time, and we both grew curious about nutrition, wellness, and long-term vitality. The more we learned, the clearer it became that whole, plant-based foods offered the energy, clarity, and healing our bodies craved. So, we made the switch — together — and never looked back.

    What started as a health decision soon became something much more profound. As we peeled back the layers, we faced the uncomfortable truths behind the dairy and meat industries. We learned about the suffering of animals, the devastating environmental impact of animal agriculture, and the heartbreaking connections to global hunger and injustice. It shook us. And it changed us.

    Suddenly, veganism wasn’t about feeling good but about doing good and becoming a way of life. It was a way to live aligned with our values as Jains and human beings who believe in compassion, nonviolence, and justice.

    As parents, we’re committed to raising Lana and Dilan with that same awareness. We talk to them about kindness, where food comes from, and the power of making conscious choices. They’re growing up healthy, joyful, and proud of what it means to live with mindfulness and practice ahimsa.

  • The Best Way to Show Love: A Family’s Vegan Journey

    When our son, Alap Shah, a medical student, returned from the 2002 YJA Convention in New Jersey, we went to the airport to pick him up. As parents, we naturally asked about his experience and what he had learned. His response surprised us: he said he had decided to become vegan.

    We were curious about his reasons. As a family, we avoided honey and cheeses containing rennet-based enzymes for two to three years. We knew about veganism and thought it was a noble idea, but it seemed too extreme for us, living in a small town in Illinois. We told him that even being vegetarian was a challenge in college, so being vegan would be even harder for him.

    Alap responded with conviction:

    “Being vegan is one of the best ways to show respect, compassion, and Ahimsa (non-harming), a core principle of Jain Dharma. Being vegan is the best way to show our love for all animals who cannot express their suffering.”

    When we saw his determination, we fully supported him. Wanting to be the best supporters possible, we transitioned slowly from vegetarian to vegan within several months. Meeting Shree Pravinbhai further strengthened our commitment.

    Guruji Shree Chitrabhanuji, a great supporter and advocate of veganism, reinforced our understanding. Using the Theory of Karma (Vedaniya, Äushya, Antaräya Karma), he explained why following a vegan lifestyle aligns with Jain values. When Guruji learned that Alap had embraced veganism, he called to congratulate and bless him, offering his Anumodana (approval and encouragement).

    Alap has remained committed to veganism for over two decades and is now raising his two children in a vegan lifestyle with his vegan wife. He has also encouraged several youths to follow a vegan lifestyle in the Chicago Jain Center.

  • When a Five-Year-Old Taught Me True Ahimsa

    My journey toward a vegan lifestyle began unexpectedly—through the innocent wisdom of my child.

    When my son was five years old, he joined Jain Pathshala. One day, he came home with a question that stopped us in our tracks. He said, “It takes 2,500 silkworms, boiled alive, to make just one sari. So why are we wearing silk?”

    His words pierced straight through layers of habit and tradition. My wife and I sat with that uncomfortable truth. That very week, we decided to stop buying and wearing silk—no more saris, scarves, neckties, or anything that caused such silent suffering.

    The following year, I became a Pathshala teacher myself. Before teaching children, I felt a deep responsibility to thoroughly understand Jain principles and philosophy. As I studied more deeply, something began to stir inside me. I realized there was a gap—a painful disconnect—between what we teach and what we often practice.

    Week after week, I would teach ahimsa—non-violence in thought, word, and deed—yet in my own daily choices, I was still supporting industries built on harm. I found myself inventing “reasons” and excuses, small justifications to avoid changing my habits. That realization felt heavy. I felt like a hypocrite, asking children to embrace compassion while I fell short of it.

    Adopting a vegan lifestyle became the immediate and obvious step. It was my way of aligning my actions with my values, of living the principles I was teaching. It was not just about food but about integrity—about truly honoring ahimsa in every aspect of life.

    This year marks 30 years since I made that choice. Over these three decades, this lifestyle has gifted me alignment with my values and vibrant health—free from many of the diseases that trouble so many at my age. I feel lighter, stronger, and deeply grateful that my choices also support the environment, reduce harm to countless beings, and lower my carbon footprint.

    And here’s a little bonus: I still have a full head of (mostly black!) hair at the age of sixty-eight. A small but joyful testament to a life lived in compassion, balance, and mindful care.

    Looking back, I see that one simple, innocent question from my son sparked a lifetime of transformation—one that continues to ripple outward in compassion, health, and care for our planet.

  • More Than a Diet: Finding Joy in Shared Values

    I’ve been vegan since 2019, and I’ve been a vegan cook for the past 17 years.

    When I met my soon to be husband Naishadh in 2007, I didn’t even know how to pronounce “Vegan.” He had been a vegan for around a decade then, and I simply didn’t know what it meant. I researched the term and was at least happy to understand that he was a strict vegetarian but the concept of giving up dairy was still a bit foreign to me.

    Over time, I learned to shop, cook, and dine with my vegan and strict Jain diet in mind. Together, we learned about the harms of leather and silk. We read shampoo bottles or cosmetic labels for animal testing and made the PETA “cruelty-free products” link our favorite bookmark. This made our bond stronger as we aligned our goals of minimizing the harm we cause. Being vegan is not just food and diet; it is a “Lifestyle” that we both believe in!

    In 2019, we visited Farm Sanctuary in upstate NY, and I took a vow to be vegan for 50 days as a part of my Chaturmas vow and never looked back. Following a strict Jain and vegan diet added a “twist” to travel and restaurant experiences. These days, most waiters from New Jersey to Italy have heard of Jainism and veganism. Once we provide our list of root vegetables to avoid, the options get fewer, but our enjoyment in the meals grows. Dining out is often a fun adventure with creative discussions with the chef and planning our preferred venue well in advance. Being a foodie and dessert lover, it has been a fun journey whether I am baking or cooking at home vs going out! The satisfaction of finding the right place or recipe is worth the effort.

    On a recent trip to India to observe a diksha, I had the opportunity to officially take the vow with my husband and renounce three Vigais in front of a Maharaj Saheb. Our children have learned so much by just watching us. They know you can be happy even when skipping a meal or be ecstatic when you find a flexible chef. When you eat with your values on your plate, every meal is wonderful.

  • From Unsure to Unwavering: 3 Minutes that Sparked Compassion

    I am Maya Dedhia. Ramesh and I are very thankful to our daughter Seema, who became vegan first, inspired by the late Gurudev Chitrabhanuji, during one of the JAINA conventions in Chicago several years ago. We supported her decision, but we were unsure ourselves.

    Two years later, we had a chance to attend a vegan Meet in our town, Okemos, MI, at the library, which allowed us to learn and understand the concept of a plant-based lifestyle. They presented good information and offered a variety of plant-based foods to try. In their presentation, they showed a short documentary of how animals are treated in the U.S.A. and all around the world. The first documentary was about how the cows are treated for their milk by artificial insemination every 6 months and how the calves are treated a few hours after birth. Needless to say, it is brutal violence. I could not watch the documentary after 3 minutes and had to step out because it made me cry, and I could not stop for a few minutes. I felt guilty that I was also part of the violence for my milk consumption. When we came home, I told Ramesh I had become vegan. It took me about 8 months to become completely vegan, but I am glad I made that decision. We started attending more vegan Meets and met many non-Indians who adapted to the plant-based lifestyle. That is like living the Jain way.

    Whenever I went to India to visit my family, they also helped me make vegan sweets by providing me with soy milk and ice cream in different flavors. Nowadays, there are so many vegan food options available in grocery stores and easy-to-cook recipes. My mother would use sesame seed or coconut oil instead of ghee, and that helped me make sweets on my own here in the USA.

    I am very thankful to Gurudev Chitrabhanuji, our daughter Seema, organizations like Mercy for Animals, Allied Animal Protection of America, Veg Michigan, and animal sanctuaries like Sasha Farms and Mitten Misfits, which educate people by holding lectures and demonstrations of food, and protest animal cruelty. They are truly following the principle of Ahimsa.

    Ramesh and I have been very healthy without any prescription medicines.

    We are proud to have been born into a Jain family and to be vegan for life!

  • Daughter’s challenge led to a dairy farm visit: 30 years of veganism

    Since the late 80’s, my daughter Shilpa had been talking about becoming vegan someday, and in 1995, she took the bold step that would change our family forever—she became the first in our household to embrace veganism. Through this process, as parents, we supported her dietary choice but remained skeptical about the underlying reasons for her decision. We often challenged Shilpa’s commitment, probing her with tough questions about why veganism was a moral necessity. One poignant moment came when she passionately declared, “Dad, you will never grasp the harsh realities of the dairy industry until you see for yourself the cruelty that is inflicted upon cows to extract their milk.” Her words struck a chord, and I took her challenge to heart. In 1995, I embarked on a transformative journey to a dairy farm near Burlington, VT, with a friend.

    What I saw was nothing short of a soul-shattering revelation. The daily routine at the farm, coupled with the inhumane treatment of the animals, left me utterly devastated and deeply moved. In that moment of profound clarity, I vowed to commit to a vegan lifestyle for the rest of my life. The experience compelled me to pen an essay titled “My Visit to a Dairy Farm,” which resonated widely and elicited numerous heartfelt responses from readers of Jain Digest and other forums.

    That life-altering visit was 30 years ago. Today, at 84 years old, I stand proud and healthy as a testament to the benefits of a vegan diet. I have no diabetes or cholesterol issues, my weight remains well-managed, and I take almost no medications to maintain my robust health. My beloved wife, Arti, soon embraced veganism with open arms.

    As a Jain, I deeply respect those who abstain from root vegetables to avoid harming the countless Ekindriya Jeevs. Yet, I find myself puzzled and saddened by the apparent disregard for the suffering of Panchandriya Jeevs, such as cows, whose milk is still consumed. Our sacred scriptures clearly label milk and ghee as Vigais—substances that corrupt the soul. It pains me to see that the message of veganism, rooted in compassion and non-violence, has not yet reached the hearts of all in our community.

  • Luvin Arms Sanctuary: Where Broken Families Become Whole

    Luvin Arms Sanctuary: Where Broken Families Become Whole

    There is a magic in motherhood. Wondrous, joyful, confusing, terrifying, surprising, glorious motherhood. Human mothers would agree. Animal mothers wouldn’t have much to say.

    Growing up Jain, Shilpi and I had an unshakeable confidence in jivdaya. So, when someone in university brought to our notice that our dairy habits were a product of hinsa, we didn’t believe them. Forced impregnation, separation of mother and child, the agony of a mother cow; this couldn’t be legal, this couldn’t be human. The dairy habits stayed.

    The birth of our son, Aarav, changed everything. When Shilpi nursed him in his first few days, he’d barely keep his food down and would break out into rashes. When the doctor suggested Shilpi quit dairy, we were skeptical. As a nursing mother, where would she get her calcium from? But as distraught parents, we were willing to try anything to give him the care he needed.

    And to our surprise, it worked! Within a day, his symptoms disappeared. No longer in distress, he laughed more, and we laughed with him.

    Curious, Shilpi dug deeper into the science behind Aarav’s transformation. She discovered that dairy is not profitable unless you separate calves from their mothers. A new mother herself, she couldn’t imagine if it had happened to her and Aarav. That was enough for Shilpi to know she would never put another mother in this position again. She hasn’t touched dairy since.

    It took me 2 years to make the switch myself. At some point, cheese was not worth knowing that my jivdaya had a gaping hole. Soon, our parents and siblings joined us in leaving the dairy behind.

    Practicing ahimsa in the home is crucial, but not enough. In 2015, we founded Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary. Here, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, horses, donkeys, chickens, ducks, turkeys, and peacocks get a second chance at sukh. In a country that slaughters ten billion animals a year, our sons look to this sanctuary to remember their Jain values.

    Today, Luvin Arms is home to 165 rescued residents. Many are mothers who’ve never met their children, and many are children who never drank their mother’s milk. With unending patience, unselfish love, and uncompromising care, this mix-n-match family somehow works. They arrive, heal one another, and learn to love and trust once more.

    There is magic in motherhood. In these blessed 10 years, we have built a place where bushy-tailed, curly-horned, and motley-feathered motherhood can take form, often for the very first time.

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