________________
discussion, debate, or movement about this major himsak practice. The show goes on and the community keeps quiet. Now you decide: is this behavior consistent with ahimsa? THE MENACE OF DOWRY IN THE JAIN COMMUNITY The Jain community is predominantly a business community and so everything is generally a business and the matrimonial relations are no exception. The menace of dowry (giving money by the bride's family to groom's family) for solemnizing matrimonial relations has been around for a long time. It is common for Jains as well as non-Jains and is practiced in many parts of India (in some places less and in some places more). Within most of the business communities, it is much more common. As the affluence, position, prestige, and power of the groom's family increase, so does the amount of dowry in direct or exponential proportion. Also, every year, no matter how many legal laws are enacted against this, the scope and intensity of dowry keeps on increasing. There is absolutely no sign of decreasing. The dowry is given either under the table or openly (probably both) as a show for the community. One only has to attend an Indian wedding to see the display of affluence. But strangely, no one questions the dowry practice, its modus operandi, scope, size, and why it should be denounced and condemned. The pity is that generally even the Jain sadhus do not talk much about it. Hardly anyone equates dowry with himsa. As a result, the practice continues and thrives. Many times, this dowry is lifelong and continues (even after the marriage of the girl) in the form of gifts, jewelry, clothing, and cash, through the tradition of milni and furnishings at many Indian festivals, ceremonies, celebrations, births of children, family visits and even during visits to see sick relatives in the hospital. This practice is horrendous. Many parents cannot afford to get their daughters married. If they do, they incur heavy loans,
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
189
