________________
can easily convince one that, the reason why the Buddhists in countries beyond India (and ipto India too, the Buddhists of later period) stuck to animal food, is not the inclemency of the climate but that they were used to it from time immemorial, without knowing its food-value and did not like to give it up since it was very relishing to taste.
The case is different with Jainism. Its principles were never changed. It remained the same and remains the same. All the Tirthankaras are unique in their teaching and every one of them taught the same thing from the beginning of his career to the end of it. Jainism is the religion of India. ( By using the term India, I mean Aryavarta; and we believe there was a time when the whole of it was Jaina. ) Ol course, its strength (numerical ) decreased with the rise of subsequent religions which rose, flou rished for a time and then subsided or trans formed into another forms like modern Hinduism Jainism has ever remained Jainism in its eterna form, from time eternal to time to end in eternity to lend its Ethics and Philosophy, customs ani manners, History and Tradition, fastings ani festivals, gods and beroes etc to others either a a whole or in part, pure or adulterated.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
