Bishnoi

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"The Bishnois are practicing naturalists and are world's first environmentalists"Unique blend of ecological sense and religious sensibility, over centuries, is Bishnoi's faith's cornerstone. We worship nature in all its manifestations. Not the ripe, yielding nature of ancient pagan societies, but the ruthless and demanding desert where a desolate horizon meets a blazing sky. Our women suckle motherless deer, our people die to save trees, go hungry to provide food for animals and live a strictly sattvic (simple) life advocated by our guru Shri Jumbheshwar Bhagwan. Bishnoi, a religion of peace, is based on 29 (BISH: 20 & NOI: 9) principles including compassion for all living beings, cleanliness, devotion, vegetarian diet and truthfulness. We never cut green trees but wait for trees to die on their own or fall down during storms. Even though much of our standing crop is eaten by deer herds, we never ever chases deer away. We consider it a great pride to be able to die saving trees or animals. Bishnoi men in villages can easily be distinguished by their large white turbans, while Bishnoi women wear earth colours and have a particularly ostentatious nose ring. Cattle rearing and agriculture are dominant pursuits of Bishnoi people. Bishnoi sm is widely practiced faith or religion that is built on the holism of nature. Bishnois are wholly and solely devoted to nature, and to conservation as the pivot of human life. Bishnoi people live, not in the bucolic splendour of some green valley, where nature may seduce you to love her; but in the arid, desolation of north-western India where nature requires a struggle by man to even survive. The 500 year faith of the hardy Bishnois, has many lessons for the modern man. For over half a millennium, the Bishnois have evolved their life-style into a religion that fiercely protects the environment. It is not a religion that has a heritage of myths, miracles, a book, ornate temples or priests. While Jainism , founded in 1542, believe in and practice complete non-violence to all living creatures; Bishnoi community have been the largest contributing factor to the survival of wildlife in the region.The Bishnois, estimated to be around 6 million, spread over Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, are a practical, wise people who hold lessons for everyone. Our mission to protect is so deeply engrained in our psyche that the women have even breast fed orphaned black buck fawns, that they may survive and protect all kinds of insect life. Innumerable Bishnoi men and women have given their lives to defend trees and animals from heavily armed poachers. Bishnois also bury chinkara that die and mark the graves with stones. Shri Jumbheshwar Bhagwan was a great saint and philosopher of medieval India. He raised his voice against the rituals and formalities of Hinduism. Hei imparted knowledge to his followers and propagated his faith. He was against all social and religious barriers. His close study of desert had made him realize the important role played by trees and other forms of vegetation. Below are Some of principles to live by, totaling 29 in all, by Shri Juru Jumbheshwar Bhagrwan. From that number 20 [bis] plus 9 [no], comes the name of the religion. Anybody can hardly find a more secular creed than Bishnois !!!·-Never cut a green tree, but wait for a tree to age and die and then use it as timber.-Bury your dead simply, so that the earth assimilates the flesh - and you save too, the wood needed for a casket or a cremation.-Practice cleanliness and a high level of hygiene, for these will guard you from disease.-Protect wildlife - they too play a role in maintaining soil fertility and in holding the balance of harmful and beneficial life forms.-Conserve water for use by man and animals, by building tanks everywhere.-Practice vegetarianism and be addicted to nothing - alcohol, tobacco or even tea!-Do not expect or seek, alms or subsidy, from king or government; believe in self-help!-Let women, those founts of life, wear bright clothes of red or orange and the men white, as a symbol of undiluted devotion to the faith.-If ever you must choose to be violent, may it be in defense of a tree, an animal or your convictions; for this, even embrace death with cheer.Bishnoi Is have been true to their master's wishes. Bishnoi people can be seen living their values. The mud floors are plastered with cow dung to keep vermin away. The interiors are airy and clean. Men, women and children exude robust good health. There is a granary to guard their rations, and a sump for stored water . There is an easy paced dignity to life here.