Ahimsa and Jainism

Author(s): Vijayvallabhsuri
Publisher: Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi

Page 13

[ 6 ]
Pallavas and the Hoysalas of Mysore. In Maharashtra and Karnataka, Jainism exercised a dominant influence for about 1,000 years.
The Chalukya Kings of Anhilwada were patrons of Jainism and their ministers built the magnificent temples of Mt. Abu, where we also find a very influential Jain community maintaining Jain Bhandars and temple libraries containing rare illustrated manuscripts,
UNIVERSITY OF NON-VIOLENCE
Jain art and culture, religion and philosophy have enriched the life and literature of the Indian people. But while other branches of Indian culture are well represented in our libraries and museums. Jain art and culture rarely attract attention, though they deserve to be specially studied in the Indian universities, very few of which have a special chair on Jainism or Jainology. The greatest principle of humanism-Non-violence (Ahimsa)-is the special contribution of Jainism, which should be a vital part of humanistic studies in India and abroad. To focus the attention of the philosophers and educationists of the world, we in India should take the initiative in founding the first International University of Non-violence.