In Jain dharma, both pen and pencil are allowed – the question is: with which option can you reduce overall, avoidable himsā more?

A few simple points:

1. Tree (wood) vs. plastic/metal

- Pencil uses wood from a tree that has already been cut, and one tree gives thousands of pencils. - Most pens today are plastic; huge numbers are thrown away after little use, adding to waste and pollution (which also harms many jīvas).

1. Refillable vs. use‑and‑throw

- A refillable fountain pen / gel pen that you use for many years and only change ink has much less himsā than repeatedly buying and throwing cheap plastic pens. - Similarly, if you use a pencil completely (till it becomes very small), that also reduces waste and himsā.

1. Manufacturing himsā

- Both pen and pencil production involve factories, machines, transport, chemicals etc. – all have some indirect himsā. - Jain view for householders is: we cannot make this zero, but we should minimize unnecessary, extra himsā through wise choices.

So, what is better in practice?

• Best option from a Jain viewpoint:

- Use a good quality refillable pen (metal body if possible) and keep it for many years, refilling ink. - Or use pencils fully, without wasting them.

• Between ordinary pen and ordinary pencil:

- The difference in himsā is actually very small compared to bigger things (diet, night‑eating, pramāda, etc.). - More important than “pen vs. pencil” is: - Do not waste. - Use one item for as long as possible. - Avoid use‑and‑throw mentality.

In short: Both are permitted; there is no strict śāstric ban on either. Less himsā lies in using fewer items, for longer time, with minimum waste – whether that is a long‑lasting refillable pen or a well‑used pencil.