Development And Impact Of Jainism In India And Abroad

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Arham Spiritual Center

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Jain Diaspora
GYAN WING
The Gyan wing will comprise all the activities related to the knowledge embedded in Jain Religion. [1] The manuscripts of Jain religion are located in Gyanbhandars and libraries in foreign countries
and various other institutions. The Institute of Jainology has undertaken the work of cataloguing such manuscripts which were stored in Britain. There are about ten lakhs manuscripts in India, 2700 in Britain and some are in Germany, Italy, the U.S.A. etc. The Institute of Jainology is actively engaged in restoring the knowledge stored in these manuscripts and other organisations can also extend their helping hand in this monumental task. The Government of different countries are also eager to restore their precious heritage
and we can collaborate with such agencies worldwide. [2] One of the wings may deal with educational problems which may handle such matters as are
faced by the Jain Pathshalas and provide scholarships to bright students who may desire to go
abroad for higher education. [3] There are many volumes on Jain religion in various libraries. A central library be created where
one can have an access to information about such volumes and where exactly are they lo cated. It will be a boon to the researchers and scholars.
DARSHAN WING (1) There should be a committee consisting of scholars which can articulate the views of the Jains
on matters relating to problems faced by the world. The same committee may undertake publication of books, pamphlets and such other literature on the Jain religion. It can also counter false propaganda conducted by the opponents of the Jain religion through media, lectures and publications of books. The central body may spread the gospel of Ahimsa (nonviolence) and exchange information on experiments that are being conducted the world over. It can also exchange information among the Jains on important events that are taking place in their respective countries. There should be a wing which can provide information and training
on the basic tenets of the Jain religion, Yoga etc. [2] Religions today, throughout the world, try to understand and respect each others philosophy,
through interfaith activities. The activities of Jain religion are exemplary in this respect. Jains have never demanded their own "Land" or state. There have been movements in India like Gorkhaland or Khalistan but Jains always try to mingle with the people where they happen to live. They have never displayed any kind of religious fanaticism; on the contrary their attitude has been liberal towards other religions. This is in consonance with their faith in religious philosophy which says that a person is known not by his/her caste, creed or colour but by the deeds performed or virtues possessed by him or her. This is evident from the fact that many Jain Acharyas have authored volumes on other religions. A Jain sadhu, in order to acquire the rightful status, has to study the scriptures of not only his own religion but of other religions also. Hemchandracharya, known as sarvagna (omniscient) in Kaliyug, worshipped the Shiva Temple in Somnath and Vastupal-Tejpal had donated land for the construction of a mosque.