Page Text
________________
Their Laymen and Laywomen: 127 the Jains, they instruct their child in religious conduct based on the fundamental principles of non-violence, honesty, rightness, purity and non-attachment. At a Jain school (pāṭhaśālā), youngster people learn the "small vows" (anuvrata), the most important 'mantra", meditation, obedience, forgiveness and compassion. If their parents perform pūjā in a temple, they will accompany them and will be initiated into religious practices. At the same time, they will study the daily commitments that devout young Jains need to make.
66
Boys generally go to primary and secondary schools, and possibly higher education, if they have the inclination to do so. Otherwise, they learn a job like trade or handicraft. According to their abilities, they can practice sports, take an interest in art, literature, law, medicine, commerce, business, etc. They have to prepare themselves to mundane life. Girls too go to school to study and may also practice sports, singing, drawing, fashion, cooking, etc. They will also learn religious duties and a professional activity. If the young (boy or girl) feels drawn to a deep spiritual life, he (she) can enter a Jain school for novices to become a monk or a nun, as mentioned above.
The period of marriage and active life
If, as it is more usual, the young man (woman) does not wish to lead an ascetic life, he (she) will have to practice an occupation, to marry and to start a family. This is the so-called period of the "householder" (gṛhastha).
•
As jobs, the young man or woman must practice an activity that has no risk to because of harm or violence. Therefore, the great majority of Jain laymen or women are traders, civil servants, teachers, doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers, etc. Jain farmers can be found, in India as well, even though it is an occupation that contains some violent activities, particularly in ploughing the land, but how can one live without it? According to Jain canons, most of Mahāvīra's followers were engaged in agriculture. However, one never finds Jains
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
| SR No. | 001794 |
| Book Title | Jains Today in World |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Pirre Paul AMIEL |
| Publisher | Parshwanath Vidyapith |
| Publication Year | 2008 |
| Total Pages | 360 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English, History, Religion, E000, & E005 |
| File Size | 24 MB |