ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

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one of the authors wrote to a number of Jain organizations asking for back copies of the material they published and other historical material. Most did not reply. The Secretary of one organization wrote back to say "Our publications consist only of opinions on religious questions, letters and questions of readers and some notices of members comings and goings and of meetings. We have no historical material to send". But that is exactly the kind of thing of which grass-roots, floor-level history consists. People in 2060 will be asking "Where were those Jains of 1960-1990? Whence and why did they come? What did they find here, how did they with such slender resources soon start providing jobs for others? What slid the principles of religion teach them in factory, shop, college, home lab and office? Did they learn it from their parents, fellows, monks, nuns or books?" Hundreds of other good questions come to mind.
[14] Conclusion
This leads on to our conclusion. The world of today is in desperate need of at least four teachings to which the Jains have unflinchingly witnessed: Co-dependence as part of an organically interrelated universe, positive non-violence in all its aspects, that there are various paths to the truth and the importance of the feminine. No one can teach these better than Jain householders dwelling in the modern cosmopolitan world. The educational task of the Association is enormous. One of the writers had the privilege to remark half-joking to Acharyaji Muniji Tulsi: "When people of non Indian descent have these principles put before them in terms they can understand and mate, you will have thousands upon thousands wanting to join you. How will you deal with such an influx?" He accepted the laughter in the remark and replied: "Our aim has never been to increase the numbers of our community but to help every human to discover what it is to be truly human."
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0