First Steps to Jainism Part 1

Author(s): Sancheti Asso Lal, Manakmal Bhandari
Publisher: Sancheti Trust Jodhpur

Page 16

2 First Steps to Jainism
5. The institutions set up by the Jain prophets consisted of four groups that is, (i) monks, (ii) nuns, (iii) laity (males) and (iv) laity (females). These institutions known as Tirtha or centres of worship, are still continuing and this shows that Jainism is a living religion flourishing throughout India. There are numerous monks and nuns and millions of followers or Jain laity who are continuing the institutions created in hoary past and these are following virtually the same path as prescribed by Jinas. Jain monks and nuns still move about on foot from Kashmir to Kerala and from Gujarat to Bengal. They carry minimum of equipment having renounced even the clothes in some cases. Jain laity still practice complete vegetarianism, abstaining from any type of meat or flesh. They practise austerities and penance-fasting for days and in some cases without water. At the same time Jain community is richly endowed educationally and economically. They lead in the fields of industry, business, education and politics.
6. The contribution of Jainism to the Indian thought and life has been very significant. Actually vegetarianism as a habit prevailing throughout the Indian continent, practised by a large majority, is an evidence of Jain influence. Indian literature, sculpture, architecture and painting as also every other aspects of life have been so significantly influenced by Jainism that to do justice to the same will require a separate book. Suffice, it to say that every student of Indian culture or a visitor to the Indian sub-continent has been considerably impressed by the sculpture and art of Jain temples, Jain painting and "inexhaustible stock of Jain literature".
7. Geographically Jainism has flourished in India and except for Indian Jains working outside India, there are hardly any Jains or Jain institutions in the countries outside India. All the 24 prophets or Tirthankars of Jains were born in different parts of India, preaching and attaining salvation in this country. There has been a catholicity and lack of dogmatic approach in Jain belief inasmuch as any one, who preached and practised the hallmarks of Jainism i.e. non-violence, self control and penance coupled with the three jewels i.e. right belief, right knowledge and right action, is considered and worshipped as Jain leader of thought. Similarly, the followers of this path irrespective of caste, color or creed can rightfully be considered Jain. It is indeed mentioned in Jain scriptures that
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