Jaina Community a Social Survey

SR No.: 007019
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Vilas Sangve
Publisher: Popular Book Depot Bombay
Publication Year: 1980
Total Pages: 484
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 12 MB

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Jaina Community--A Social Survey with the carrying of these scholastic, missionary and political activities, the Jaina Āchāryas tried ro excel in their personal accomplishments also. In a work called Pujyapādacharita the names of 37 arts and sciences mastered by Achārya Pūjyapāda are given. 134 In the 7th century A. D. the famous Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsiang had heard of old time that the Nirgranthas (i. e. the Jaina ascetics ) were skilled in divination.135 Naturally princes and people alike had a great regard for the Jaina saints in different parts of the country. Even the muslim emperors of Delhi honoured and showed reverence to the learned Jaina saints of North and South India. 136 Regarding the influence of Jaina saints in Rajasthāna Col. Tod remaiks that “To show the respect in which the high priests of the Jainas are held, the princes of Rajputana invariably advance outside the walls of their capital to receive and conduct them to it- a mark of respect paid only to princes. On the occasion of the high priest of the Khadataras137 passing though Udaipur, the Rānā received him with every distinction.'138 It is no wonder that the character and activities of such influential Jaina saints created an atmosphere which helped to lengthen the life of Jaina community.
A minority community for its continued existence has always to depend on the goodwill of the other people and that goodwill could be persistently secured by performing some benevolent activities. The Jainas did follow and are still following this path of attaining the goodwill of all people by various means like educating the masses and alleviating the pain and misery of people by conducting several types of charitable institutions. From the beginning the Jainas made it one of their cardinal principles to give the four gifts of food, protection, medicine and learning to the needy (āhāra-ubhaya—bhaishajya-śāstra-dāna )-- irrespective of caste and creed. According to some this was by far the most potent factor in the propagation of the Jaina religion.139 For this they established alm-houses, rest-houses, dispensaries and schools wherever they were concentrated in good numbers. It must be noted to the credit of the Jainas that they took a leading part in the education of the masses. Various relics show that formerly Jaina ascetics took a great share in teaching children in the Soutbern. countries, viz., Andhra, Tamil, Karnātaka, and Mahārāshțra.160. In this connection. Dr. Altekar rightly observes that before the