Doctrines of Jainism

Author(s): Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi
Publisher: Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi Godiji Jain Derasar Mumbai

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JAINA CULTURE* Dr. NATHMAL TATIA, M.A., D.Litt.
If we visualize the essential features of India's ancient civilization before and during the period of the advent of Tirthankara Mahavira and the Buddha, it will be found that a persistent search for Irigher values was in the atmosphere. Dissatisfaction with the social conditions and the religious ideals that prevailed was deepening. Philosophical doubts stirred the minds of the people who gathered round enterprising thinkers, or heretic teachers, as they were usually called. Tirthankara Parsva, who preceded Mahavira by about two centuries and a half, had already given an impetus to the movement which ascribed supreme importance to the sacredness and inviolability of life-a movement which had been recognized by Tirthankara Nemi who was, if we are to believe the Jaina tradition, a contemporary of Lord Krishna, the chief personality of the Mahabharata age. It was left to Mahavira and his disciples and followers to revitalize and propagate this movement on a more intensive and wider scale, and to give a new orientation to the social outlook and the philosophical quest of the age.
* The cultural heritage of India is a closely woven fabric of many strands. One of these colourful strands is the contribution of the followers of Jainism. We publish here, in somewhat condensed from, the lecture given on this subject at the Indian Institute of Culture, Basavangudi, Bangalore, on January 5th, under the chairmanship of Shri K Guru Dutt. The lecturer, Dr. Nathmal Tatia is a Professor in the new Institute of Buddhist Philosophy, appropriately located at Nalanda, the scat of one of the greatest universities of ancient India.
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