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The time has come that we should embrace the five anuvratas not as a slogan but in real practice. Acharya Tulsi-ji tried his very best sixty plus years ago to emphasize the five anuvratas, but after a few years, it just became a mere slogan.
OUR COMMUNITY HAS MANY SADHUS and SADHVIS, and STILL JAINISM is NEARLY UNKNOWN
Amongst a total Jain population of nearly 5-7 million, we have more than 15,000 renunciates (muniis, acharyas, sadhus, sadhvis, samans, samanis, ailak, kshullaks, aryika ji, and pundits) in all the traditions, sects, and sub-sects of Jainism. Compared to any other non-Jain religious tradition in India, Jain sadhus are well-educated, they observe the five mahavratas (great vows), most of them practice what they preach, they command a very high degree of respect and reverence within the Jain community, are always on the move (they travel the length and breadth of India on foot), are in constant touch with their followers, and since the Jain community provides food, shelter and clothing, the sadhus do not have to worry about any such basic needs. Their main duty and goal is to study, practice self-purification, and to guide and preach to their followers about Jain philosophy and its rich culture.
Similarly, the Jain community (lay people) is very educated, affluent, dynamic, progressive, and philanthropically minded. Since there is no GOD or creator in Jainism, there are hardly any major fights and disputes on that basis within the community. As a result, the community enjoys a reasonable level of harmony, peace, and prosperity.
In spite of this, the sad reality is that Jainism is the least known and most misunderstood tradition, not only outside India but within India as well. In addition, the practice of ahimsa is slipping so fast within the community that Jains are in danger of losing ahimsa as its identifier. Let me share a few incidents to illustrate the depth of this malaise.
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
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