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

Page 421

Retrospect
395
quence we find that there is nothing like religious urity among the followers of Jainism and this undoubtedly hinders the progress
of the Jaina community. Since the Jainas have been spread through· out the length and breadth of India, there is a great divergence in
their observance of various social customs and manners. In the circumstances the only bond that brings all Jainas together is the bond of religion, i. e., they are the followers of the same religion. It is therefore the paramount duty of the Jainas to see that the feeling of oneness is inculcated in the minds of the Jainas by several means. In fact, Jaipism is one and un-divided so far as its philosophy, fundamental principles and doctrines are concerned. The Jaina Church was united for a long time and its sects—and especially the sub-sects—arose at a comparatively late stage in its history. There are not basic differences of a serious nature, from the point of view of the present age, between the sects and the subsects. According to the Jaina theory itself nobody, either male or female, can attain salvation in the current age. It is therefore quite futile to quarrel on points like 'Savustramukti', i. e., whether one can achieve Moksha while one wears the clothes; 'Strimukti, i. e., whether a woman can attain salvation; and “Kevali-Kavala, hāra', i. e., whether an omniscient needs food or not. These thres are the major points of differences between the Digambaras and the Svetāmbaras179 and when they are not applicable in the present age there is no reason why the sects should give more importance to the minor differences and estrange their relations. The same can be said about the relations between the Terāpanthis and the. Bisapanthis among the Digambaras and between the Sthānakavāsis and the Terāpanthis among the Svetāmbaras as there are not much differences between them.180 The ron-idolatrous sub-sects among both the sects may be allowed to worship ir their own way but they should, in no case, be considered as aliens to Jainism. Thus more emphasis, in the first place, should invariably be given on these points of common nature so that the feeling of hostility may be completely banished from the minds of Jainas belonging to different sects and sub-sects. With a view to foster this feeling several practical means will have to be adopted by both the sects. They should celebrate together the birth and death anniversary days of Lords Ķshabha and Mahāvira together instead of observing them separately. They should make it a point to visit the temples and places of worship of all sects and