Parshvanath Vidyapith Swarna Jayanti Granth

SR No.: 012051
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain, Ashok Kumar Singh
Publisher: Parshwanath Shodhpith Varanasi
Publication Year: 1994
Total Pages: 402
Language: Hindi, English
Classification: Smruti_Granth & Articles
File Size: 23 MB

Page 30

It is also noteworthy that the Jaina Community is more urban than rural. According to 1971 Census, urban Jainas constitute 59.83 percent of the total Jaina population, whereas rural Jain as account for 40.17 percent of all Jainas. Hence the Jainas are largely urbanised but not very highly urbanised like the Parsis and Jews in India.
Further, the Jaina Community is one of the very ancient communities of India. The existence of Jaina religion can be traced to the very beginning of Indian history. This hoary antiquity is a special feature of the Jaina Community and it is pertinent to note that this feature is not present in other religious minority communities in India.
Moreover, unlike other religious minority communities in India, the Jaina Community is Indian in every sense of the term. The Jainas are the indigenous inhabitants of this country and their mythological and historical personages, their languages, and their sacred places pertain to this country. The Jainas have no religious connections or affiliations with people outside India.
Furthermore, the Jainas, though small in number, constitute a separate entity and have succeeded In maintaining their distinctive features. Jainism being an independent religion, its followers have got their own and vast sacred literature, distinct philosophy and outlook on life, and special ethical rules of conduct based on the fundamental principle of Ahimsa. The entire activities of the Jainas are moulded by the considerations of Ahimsa. This utmost importance given to the observance of Ahimsa in the life of every individual is not found in other communities of India eventhough they may attach some value to the principle of Ahimsa.
Apart from antiquity, the Jaina Community has got the characteristic of unbroken continuity. Few communities in the world can claim such a long and continued existence. It is really a matter of wonder to find how the Jainas could maintain their perpetuity when the followers of many other religions and sects, which were prevalent in the past, are not found at present in India. Thus the survival of Jainas, as a separate entity, from the hoary antiquity to the present day can be considered as their distinctive feature.
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