________________
EQUALITY:
When Tamils were suppressed on the basis of caste and creed Jainism advocated equality. Ancient Jaina Tamil works reflect this. Some of them go to the extent of condemning Varnashrma dharma based on caste system.
Jainism infused self-confidence and self respect in Tamils who were isolated from the main stream. of life. Jainism pointed out that "it is the conduct and character of an individual that are important". One's birth in a particular caste or community has no relevance. When Tamils were suppressed on the basis of caste, Jaina thioking created confidence in them. Arungalacheppu, a Tamil work says,
"Even a low casteman, if possess right faith, is divine".
In another Tamil work it is stated that "All are equal in birth and differ in their excellence
by their profession."
These Jaina works and Jaina preaching instilled in Tamils self confidence and forced those who preached caste differences, special status based on birth to a particular caste, to recognize this and accept the the social equality. EDUCATION :
The response to education by Tamils without any caste difference is yet another influence of Jains. Jaina taught all people without caste or sex difference. Jaina ascetics taught children all aspects of education. The centres of learning are called Pallis. The term Palli refers to the abodes of Jain Munis. Even today the school in Tamilnadu are known as Pallis. From this one can judge the influence in the field of education. The children before they start their lesson pay homage to Siddhas. Even child would say Namostu siddham. This was followed even in Karnataka, there children say Sidham namah,
This obeisance to siddhas was a secular prayer in those days which later on lost significance. But the term Palli still remains.
The Jains and Jaina ascetics were responsible for the enrichment of Tamil lietrature. They popularised palmscripts and writing and litrerary activities.
"Jains had been great students and copyists of books'.
(Burnell: South Indian Paleography)
"It was through the fostering care of the Jaios that the South seems to have been inspired with new ideals and literature enriched with new forms and expressions"
(Literary History of India) The contribution of Jains to Tamil Literature is inestimable. They have enriched the Tamil language in an organised manner. There are Jajna works on grammar, Kavyas, linguistics, lexicography, ethics, maths, music and philosophy. Most of these are contributed by ascetics who never mentioned their names. In many of the puranas and Kavyas some of the modern scientific principles are explained in clear terms. ('Neelakesi'-a tamil Kavya speaks how Rainbow is formed, plants are living beings-evolution-clinilcal tests of feaces and urine etc.)
"That what is known as Augustanage of Tamil Literature was also the age of the predominance of the Jains".
(M.S. Ramasamy Iyengar : "Studies in South Indian Jainism") Equality of women to education is first established by Jains. There are many inscriptional evidences
qual W upport this. The Jaina women were well versed in scriptures and other fields. They spread their knowledge to other woman irrespective of caste and creed. Jain nuns conducted schools and colleges exclusively for women. When the women are forbidden from the field of education it is the Jajna influence that
of women to eduomen were weld creed. qualities. The Jaina motive of caste
आचार्यरत्न भी वेशभूषण जी महाराज अभिनन्दन ग्रंथ
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
