In Search of an Ethics for Plants: A Brief Exploration of the Early Writings of Jainism and Buddhism

This paper’s objective is three-fold: to consider how the early writings of Jainism and Buddhism recognize plants and the status they accord to them; to identify and analyze in these writings ethical injunctions related to plants; and finally, to draw attention to complexities such as those related to decision-making or value-ascription that may be encountered in the process of framing an ethics for plants. Sentience, value and other related ideas have been methodically assessed. It is argued that even though soteriological goals remain primary and that the path is fraught with challenges, moral principles that include plants can be defended.