Historical Facts About Jainism

Author(s): Lala Lajpatrai
Publisher: Jain Associations of India Mumbai

Page 14

GENERAL REMARKS. Adverting to your article in the "Bande Mataram” referred to in your letter dated the 16th October 1923, it has been stated therein, "My account of Jainism is the popular belief........, and my knowledge is based on many authentic scholars." With due deference we state that our knowledge and intercourse with non-Jains lead us to think that your account is not the popular belief. The greatest portion of the Indian population is Hindu and they do not--as far as we know-hold your view. It is the Hindus who come in greater contact with Jains and bave an opportunity of studying first hand their everyday life and its aspects-both practical as well as religious. We are not aware of any Hindu of merit holding your view. As for the "Authentic Scholars” referred to by you we are in the dark as you have not been pleased to name them. It is possible that by “popular belief” you perhaps mean the Puranic view or the view of some early European scholars who based their opinions on Brahmanic sources or the Puranas, without any independent historical research. Your views seem to have been expressed by you without having recourse to materials which throw a flood of light on Jain history.
REFERENCES TO JAINISM. The Vedas, Brahma-Sutra, the Maha Bharat," Shrimad Bhagavat and other Puranas,