Pristine Jainism

SR No.: 001662
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2003
Total Pages: 110
Language: English, Sanskrit, Apabhramsha
Classification: Book_English & Religion
File Size: 7 MB

Page 100

Other Salient Features of Jainism : (97) have their own educational institutions for preserving religious and cultural identity like Muslims and Christians. The clubbing of Jains with Hindu religionists is not correct as Jainism is much different from Vedic, Saivaite and Vaishnavaite cults even more than even Islama and Christianity because it does not subscribe to the concept of one Almighty Super Power God, creating, controlling, maintaining and destroying the universe at his own express will. Actually there is no Hindu religion as such. Hindu is word derived from Indu, the term given by Greeks for all those who reside on the side of Indus River. Accordingly all Indians whether Muslims, Christians or Jains are all Hindus. The word Hindu was initially a geographical identity and not a religion. But through the passage of time it is now being used in a restricted sense with religious connotation for people except Muslims, Christians. In initial geographical context Jains like all inhabitants of India are Hindus but not in religious sense because Muslims and Christians have been excluded. In the existing circumstances Jains have a strong constitutional claim for minority status.
In order to preserve religious and cultural identity it is necessary to have exclusive Jaina educational institutions including vocational and professional (Medical, Engineering, Management and others) where religious education is also imparted and overall environment is maintained according to Jaina tenets. It is also necessary to develop industrial, agricultural, trading and other vocational and professional complexes according to Jaina traditions so that the Jaina students after coming out of Jaina educational institutions have not to search out livelihood opportunities elsewhere and remain throughout their life in Jaina environment. This alone is the only way in the present milieu to preserve Jaina identity. Otherwise the youngsters will continue to drift away more and more from Jaina tradition. On an experimental basis a few such centres may be developed initially at Shri Mahaveerji, Sammed Shikharji, Palitana etc.
In view of the importance of the role of external factors, situations and environment, catalytic or real in helping or inhibiting the manifestation