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Jaina Religion: Its Historical journey of evolution
which the Jaina and Buddhist traditions tried to stop. The most important contribution of the Jaina and the Buddhist Ācāryas was the re-defining of the notions of yajñas etc. Some new definitions given to terms like 'Brāhmaṇa', 'yajña' etc by the Jaina Dharma are given below. New meaning of Brāhmaṇa
Jaina tradition always accepted good conduct as the standard of greatness or smallness in human life, and that was called the basis of Brahminhood. In the 25th chapter of Uttarādhyayana and in the "Brāhmaṇa' chapter of Dhammapada detailed discussions on the true meaning of Brāhmaṇa are available. We will stop this discussion by just presenting only two verses, as it would be too lengthy a discussion if taken in detail. Uttarādhyayana says, “A true Brāhmaṇa is one who is not attached to enjoyments of life, though born with objects of enjoyment like the lotus though born in water remains detached from it.“ “One who is completely free from attachment, hatred and fear and is pure at heart is a true Brāhmaṇa”. Similarly, Dhammapada also says, "Just as a lotus leaf remains untouched by water, and mustard seed stays on the tip of the cutter similarly one who remains unsmeared by desires
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