________________
12
THE ORIENT
several other countries and peoples. The Buddhist thought and culture have influenced the people of Europe and America. But the Jainas did not do, so far, any preaching. Jainism is still confined to its original place, India. The real nature of Jainism demands that it should spread like any other universal religion. Unfortunately, the Jaina community has become almost a caste within the Hindufold. Or, rather, the Jainas have become a caste themselves. The children of a Jaina are Jains.
Jainism, if rightly viewew fares better than Islam and Chriatianity. Unlike Muslims and Christians the Jainas believing in anekantavada do not ask anybody to give up his or her religion and embrace the religion of their own. He can very well say purify yourself even without giving up your religion you can become a true Jaina. The principle of Jainism entitles a Jaina to claim that Jainism has no quarrel with anybody. It embraces all within itself, and this is the philosophy of familyhood of all religions. If the Jainas proclaim so, they will receive the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi also.
