Jains Today in World

SR No.: 001794
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

Page 59

30 : JAINS TODAY IN THE WORLD
We have cited sections and branches, but they are found also in many other religions. They have specific tenets, principles, practices that do not permit the same temple for worship, the same place for meditation, the same festivals or sacred books that forbid weddings between adepts of different obedience or refuse to share meals and discuss doctrinal details. In Jainism, divisions in castes and sub-castes did not concern higher and lower classes, like in Hinduism. As concern Jain sections and branches, some believe they are more conform than others regarding their beliefs and practices of the teachings of the Tīrthankara and especially of Mahāvīra. It is their views that diverge, in total accordance with the Jain principles of "anekāntavāda” and “syādvāda”, but they do not constitute castes and sub-castes.
In Jainism, when one speaks of castes and sub-castes, it is more questions of profession and geographical origin. Of course, the usual preconceived opinions concerning economic and social status also exist, like they do in any society but we find, for example, the “Oshwals” in Gujarat and Rajasthan, the “Khandelwala” in Madhya Pradesh (especially in Malva) and in Rajasthan, the “Agrawala ” in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, the “Humbads” in Rajasthan and Gujarat, the “Parvārs” in Madhya Pradesh (especially in Bundelkhand), the “Saitvāla ” in Maharashtra, the “Chaturtha ” and “Panchama " in South Maharashtra and Karnataka, the “Shrimalis” in Rajasthan, Naynar in Tamil Nadu, etc. The “Oshwals”, for example, have ancestors who came from the city of Osiya (Rajasthan), the “Agrawala” from the city of Agroha (Haryana), the “Khandelwal" from the city of Khandela (Rajasthan) and so on. Some of these groups also exist among both Jains and Hindus. Among the “Oshwals” and the “Shrimalis” there are two sub-groups like: the “Dasa" and the “Visa”. We also have many Jains who are