________________
Introduction to Jainism
= 4
has not been opposed to caste system. 102 The brāhmana priests (pujārīs) are employed in Jaina temples. 103 There was no trace of pessimism in the attitude of Rgvedic Aryans, 104 and the doctrine of transmigration of soul was unknown to the early Brāhmanas. 105 Probably, Hinduism adopted these features from Jainism.106 Tīrthamkara sāntinātha's sermon 107 sounds like a commentary on Gītā.108 The Jaina and Hindu Purānic teachings are almost identical.109 The definition of dharma as given by the Mahābhārata and Gunabhadra, the Jaina purānakāra, is identical.110 The doctrine of non-violence on which Jainism lays great stress has found modified approval in Hinduism.111 The Jaina pontiffs like Jinasena prescribed rules and practices laid down by Brāhmana dharmaśāstras for the Jainas. 112
Nāga-worship, tree-worship and yaksa-worship were common to Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism in ancient India. 113 After the adoption of idol-worship the difference between a Hindu and a Jaina became almost non-existent in ancient India. 114 In fact, with the passage of time little outward difference existed in the rituals, mode of worship and religious celebrations of the Hindus and the Jainas.115 The Hindu, Jaina and Buddhist idols were often
102. JI, p. 3; ADIU, p. 425; CUHI, p. 222; AOIK, p. 295. 103. Ibid.; RI, p. 286; ROAI, p. 125. 104. ERE, II, p. 802; CUHI, I, p. 29. 105. AOIU, p. 363. 106. Ibid. 107. TSPC, vol. III, pp. 322-3. 108. S.D. Jha, op. cit., p. 257. 109. Ibid., p. 255. 110. Ibid., p. 254. 111. RI, p. 287; S.D. Jha, op. cit., p. 255; JIR, p. 234. 112. S.D. Jha, op. cit., pp. 235-6; JSAI, p. 248. 113. V.S. Agrawala, Ancient Indian Folk Cults, Varanasi, 1970, pp. 104, 116, 180. 114. HOIC, I, p. 166. 115. JSAI, p. 248.
