So boiling water do not kill organism ?
Boiling water does kill many organisms, but not all, and not forever. From Jain dharma point of view:
- What happens when we boil water?
- Many microorganisms (jiv) in the water die or become inactive. - So, yes, boiling involves himsa (violence) to those tiny jivas.
- Then why do Jains still use boiled water?
- Unboiled water usually has far more living beings. - By boiling once and then carefully using that water for some limited time, we reduce the total number of jivas we harm compared to drinking raw water. - So it is a “lesser himsa to avoid greater himsa” – done with awareness and necessity, not with the intention to kill.
- Do living beings appear again in boiled water?
- Yes. After some time, new microorganisms can arise in that water. - That is why Jain discipline fixes a time limit (kāl) for using boiled water. After that, it should not be drunk.
You can read more on this here: – Why Jains drink boiled water – Time limit of boiled water (ukalela pani no kaal)
- Summary in simple words
- Boiling water does kill many organisms. - New organisms can again come later in the same water. - Jains therefore: - boil water once, - filter it, - and use it only within a fixed time, to keep himsa as low as practically possible.