International Jain Conference 1985 3rd Conference

Author(s): Satish Jain, Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Ahimsa International

Page 179

Outstanding Contribution of Jainism
To Karnataka Culture
Jainism is an ancient religion. It is rightly called Ethical Realism. Deeply moved by the chaotic nnd miserable political, social and economic conditions. prevailing in the north-eastern region of India in 600 B.C., Lord Mahavira rightly preached this ethical code with its five-fold great vows as an effective antidote to those aweful conditions and also for the common good of all the mankind. It was received very well round about the area. Soon Lord Mahavira had a unique band of close disciples and well organised four-fold sangha. Later on his disciples and, then, the pontiffs and numerous other teachers carried on the torch of his valuable preachings and teachings, which can be said to have culminated into Ahimsa, Anckantavada and Kriyavada, to the various parts of the country.
Dr. B.K. Khadabadi
Events of history no doubt indicate us that the first team of Jaina teachers may have entered South India, viz., the Telugu country first, through Kalinga as early as 600 B.C. and, thus, they were pioneers in bringing the teachings of Lord Mahavira to the South. But it is the second team certainly a larger one, headed by Bhadrabahu I and accompanied by his royal disciple Candragupta, that entered Karnataka region in 300 B.C. It firmly established its first colony at Kalbappu, the modern Sravanabelagola, and, then, conveyd and radiated therefrom those teachings more effectively and extensively to the nearby and deeper southern regions. Thus Karnataka can be said to have been rather the Southern Headquarters of this great faith in the early days. Then assuming further strength, later in the medieval period, it became the very "home of Jaina-dharma" as history would announce through the well-known Kuppatura Stone Inscription dated A.D. 1408 (Epigraphia Carnatica, Vol. VIII, Sh. 261). Perhaps taking all this in view, Dr. Saletore seems to have observed in his Medieaval Jainism: "The history of Jainism in South India is primarily the history of that religion in Karnataka."
Hence it is but natural that the contribution of Jainism to the culture of Karnataka, indeed as a constituent part of its contribution to Indian culture in general, could be not only manifold but also of abiding value. Even the outstand