As the Jain community gathers in Chicago for the 2025 biennial JAINA Convention this week, an extraordinary opportunity awaits all attendees—an opportunity to deepen our commitment to ahimsa (non-violence) and live in greater harmony with the values that define Jainism. This year, Humane Long Island will be joining our friends at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in hosting a dedicated table, offering convention-goers a wealth of information and inspiration about the realities of the dairy industry and the transformative power of embracing a vegan lifestyle.
The dairy industry, often perceived as benign, is fraught with practices that directly contradict the Jain principle of ahimsa, or harmlessness. From the routine separation of mother cows from their calves to the physical and emotional suffering endured by animals in factory farms, the production of milk and other dairy products inflicts immense pain and distress. Calves are frequently taken from their mothers within hours of birth, leading to heartbreak for both mother and child. Male calves are sold for leather or veal, and ultimately, even female cows face a premature end in slaughterhouses once their milk production wanes.
These cruel realities are not limited to India or America or even large-scale industrial operations. Even small farms routinely tear babies from their mothers and slaughter animals long before they would reach a natural death. By consuming dairy, we inadvertently support a system that is fundamentally at odds with our most cherished values.
Going vegan is a powerful way to fully embody the Jain teachings of non-violence and respect for all life. By choosing plant-based foods and eschewing animal products, you make a profound statement: that the suffering of sentient beings has no place in your diet or your conscience. The vegan lifestyle not only eliminates complicity in animal exploitation but also offers remarkable benefits for personal health and the environment, including lowering the risks of cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
For this week’s Anuvrat, or small vow, I invite you to join me at the 2025 JAINA Convention in Chicago. PETA’s table will be a welcoming space where you can ask questions and gather free Vegan Starter kits full of recipes to make transitioning away from dairy easy and joyful. You can meet me and my partner Juliana, as well as meet Charli XC Cow — the world’s first AI-powered, walking, talking calf, and learn how your choices can be a beacon of compassion for others to follow. Together, let us put the true spirit of Jainism into action and inspire a future where non-violence extends to every living being.
Empower yourself with knowledge, connect with compassionate advocates, and take the next step on your journey toward a truly harmonious and ethical life. See you at the table!
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(Photo courtesy: John Di Leonardo)
John Di Leonardo is the founding director of Humane Long Island. He was previously the Senior Manager of Grassroots Campaigns and Animals in Entertainment Campaigns for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). He has a Master's degree in Anthrozoology from Canisius College. He also earned a graduate certificate in Jain Studies from the International School of Jain Studies (ISJS) in India. John can be reached at [email protected].
