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Essence of Jainism
are not related at all, have got the tirthas of Digambaras in the southern part of India, these too are situated in hilly areas. All this proves as to what places were to the liking of and preference: of the saints who were the life-force of these holy places. Again, we can guess from the development of particular tirthas as to what beauty of nature and seclusion was to the liking of devotees or human beings at large. After passing through a life full of mundane joys and restiveness, or even now and again in the middle, man turns his eyes to different places for rest and relaxation, What are these places? We can guess this from the choice of place for these tirthas.
Along with the tirthas there was development of idols; and along with this are closely related the art of idol-making and architecture. The specialities and beauties of architecture in our country are dominantly there thanks to tirihas and idol-worship. Architecture is there no doubt in places of worldly joys, but its origin lies in places of religion and tirthas.
Excellent arrangement for Divine wealth
the
preservation
and protection of
The tirthas of Jains are in hundreds and they are found, not in just one part of the country but spread over the whole land. This itself is precisely a proof of the expanse of the Jain society once in days of old. The Jaia tirthas comprise of one special institution. Even if we set aside household temples and those that are owned privately, we have treasures, small and big, of temples owned by Sanghas, small and big. These have lots of wealth which is known as divine wealth --devadravya. The Jain Sanghas are very clear and perfectly honest in its collection, care and maintenance, for which very stiff ways are adopted. The clarity and honesty that we find in the preservation and maintenance of divine wealth with the Jains will be found rarely with other sects in India. The Jain Sanghas have, at the same tim, created a fine atmosphere, ethical and practical, to see that this wealth is spent only on its specified purposes, it is not wasted or gulped by somebody.
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