Historical Facts About Jainism

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

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callings of the world. What they have to practise is not much more than a religious Hindu Householder. You will thus find that the course of conduct laid down for the Jain householders is quite practicable and does not in any way weaken them for ordinary struggles of life. On the contrary the same gives high moral tone to their dealings with other people as their religion does not remain detached from their ordinary dealings, as happens with many other religions. The Achara (course of conduct) of Jain Sadhu is practically the same as prescribed in Bauddhayan Sutras for Hindu Sanyasi according to Jacobi.50 There is therefore no impracticability also about the course of conduct meant for the Sadhus. Here it is pertinent to repeat what Lokmanya Tilak said that Jainachara is the same as Satyachara of the Vedas. Many kings, contemporaries, of Shri Mahavira, were Jain, but fought for religion or self protection. There have been also instances of so many subsequent kings as successful rulers inspite of their being Jain. Jainachara is therefore quite practicable and does not make those practising it cowards or in any way weak to fight the ordinary struggles of life.
CHARGE OF CRUELTY REFUTED.
Nor does it make them cruel. It makes them on the contrary upright, honest, and considerate but unflinching and strong. It is a speciality of