From a Jain point of view, it is not simply “ok” to hurt other organisms because of technology.

But it is true that:

• We live in a time where some level of violence (himsā) through technology is unavoidable, and
• Jain dharma shows how to live with minimum possible violence, not zero violence in worldly life.

Let’s break this in very simple terms:

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1. Ahimsa is still the highest principle

• Every soul (from one-sensed beings in water, air, fire, earth, plants to many-sensed beings like animals and humans) wants to live.
• Hurting any living being, even tiny ones, binds karma.
• So from the ideal (niścaya) point of view, causing harm through technology is not “ok”.

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2. But worldly life (vyavahār) always involves some violence

Jain texts clearly accept that there is:

• Arambhi / Udyogi-himsā – violence involved in doing necessary worldly activities like:

- Traveling - Farming - Building a house - Running a business

Using a mobile, electricity, vehicles, internet, machines – all fall under modern forms of the same worldly activities.

So, while violence is involved, it is called “inevitable” or “necessary” violence of a householder, not ideal, but tolerated with conditions.

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3. How can a Jain use technology correctly?

The question is not “Is it totally ok?” but:

“If I must use it, how can I use it with least violence and right bhāva (intention)?”

Guidelines:

1. Use only what is genuinely necessary.

- Avoid luxury, waste, and addiction to gadgets. - Simple living, even with technology.

1. Choose the option that causes less harm.

Examples: - Avoid supporting industries that torture animals. - Save electricity and resources. - Don’t throw e-waste carelessly; dispose of it properly.

1. Maintain carefulness (samiti) and awareness (apramatta-bhāva).

- Don’t use tech for hatred, violence, insult, or spreading falsehood. - Use it for knowledge, work, seva, spiritual study, and compassion.

1. Accept that karma is bound, and reduce it through:

- Repentance (pratikraman) for harm caused knowingly/unknowingly. - Limiting your wants (maryādā, vrata, anuvrat). - Growing inner non-violence, love, and detachment.

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4. For monks vs. householders

• Jain monks/nuns – strictly avoid or hugely limit technology, because their path is of maximum ahimsa and minimum possessions.
• Householders (like us) – allowed to use necessary things (now including technology), but must:

- Minimize harm - Control desires - Use it responsibly and ethically

So, in summary:

• It is never absolutely “ok” to harm other organisms in Jainism.
• Technology is allowed for householders as part of inevitable worldly life,

only if we: - Minimize violence as much as possible, - Use it with right intention and restraint, - Regularly reflect, repent, and improve our conduct.

This way, even in a modern, tech-filled world, the core Jain principle of ahimsā remains central, and technology becomes a tool we use carefully, not blindly.