________________
*
A wellkhown book on Jainism written by Madam M. R. Guseva [Candidate of Historical Sciences at the institute of Ethnography of the Acadamy of sciences USSR and Jawaharlal Nehru prize winner, 1973] revealed the historical and ethnographic roots of Jainism, tracing the development of the Jain community since ancient times, evaluating the Jain contribution to Indian literature and art. In particular the book makes a point that Jainism has such substantially distinguishing features that they do not afford any possibility of regarding Jainism as an offshoot of Brahmanism.
One can refer to some of the decided cases:
The commissioner Hindu Religious Endowments, Madras V/s Shri Lakshmindra Tirtha Swamiar of Shri Shirur Mutt reported in AIR 1954, SC 282, the court observed and recognized that Jainism and Buddhism are equally two distinct religions professed in India in contrast with vedic Religion. As early as 1927, Madras High Court in Gateppa V/s Eramma and others reported in AIR 1927 Madras 228 held that "Jainism as a distinct religion was flourishing several centuries before Christ."
Again in 1939 in Hirachand Gangji V/s. Rowji Sojpal reported in Air 1939 Bombay 377 it was observed that "Jainism prevailed in this country long before Brahmanism came into existence and held that field and it is wrong to think that the Jains were originally Hindus and were subsequently converted into Jainism."
A Division Bench of the Bombay High Court Consisting of chief Justice Chagla and Justice Gajendra Gadkar in respect of Bombay Harijan Temple Entry Act, 1947 (C. A. 91 of 1451) held that Jains have an independent religious entity and are different from Hindus.
In Arya Samaj Education Trust, Delhi & others V/s. The Dires for of Education, Delhi Administration, Delhi others reported in AIR 1976. Delhi 207, it was held as follows: "Not only the constitution but also the Hindu code and the cencus Reports have recognized Jains to belong to a separate religion."
All these exerts of the court judgements also justify the independent identity of Jain Religion. The timetested perfect philosophy of this religion is put on a display on this screen namely "A Handbook of Jainology." May this heartful effort be fruitful and flourish Jainism in Human Heads and Hearts.
Muni Uday Vallabh Vijay
Jain Education International
12
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
