Answer

In Jain Dharma, abortion is generally considered a serious hiṃsā dosh because it involves harm to a living being. Even in very early pregnancy, Jain teaching holds that life has begun after conception, so ending that life is spiritually harmful.

Explanation

A 3-week pregnancy is still regarded as involving a living soul according to Jain understanding. Therefore, aborting it would fall under:

• Prāṇātipāt / Hiṃsā — injury or destruction of life
• Ārambhaj hiṃsā — violence arising from worldly activity
• Karma bandh — bondage of harmful karma due to injury, intention, and attachment/aversion

The seriousness of the dosh depends on factors such as:

• Intention behind the act
• Awareness of the life involved
• Compulsion, fear, health risk, or social pressure
• Repentance and future restraint

Jain Dharma does not encourage abortion as a casual choice. However, if the situation involves medical danger to the mother, severe compulsion, or distress, one should approach the matter with seriousness, humility, and guidance from a qualified doctor and a learned Jain guru/śrāvaka guide.

Spiritual Understanding

If abortion has already happened, Jain Dharma emphasizes sincere repentance rather than hopeless guilt. One may do:

• Pratikraman with true remorse
• Ālochana before a guru if possible
• Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ bhāv — asking forgiveness from all living beings harmed knowingly or unknowingly
• Resolve to avoid such hiṃsā in the future as far as possible
• Practice compassion, restraint, charity, and increased awareness of ahiṃsā

Takeaway

According to Jain Dharma, aborting even an early pregnancy carries serious hiṃsā dosh, but sincere repentance, pratikraman, and a firm resolve toward ahiṃsā are the proper spiritual response.