Introduction to Jainism

Author(s): Rudi Jansma, Sneh Rani Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 19

WHO ARE THE JAINS?
All true Jains are vegetarians, and none of them will ever purposely harm a living being. This means that there are quite a few professions they can not practice. Obviously one will not find butchers among Jains. As a result of their ethics most Jains opt for the “clean” professions, such as (honest) trade (textiles, jewels, precious stones), or jobs in the intellectual sectors of society. They may be lawyers, medical practitioners, vets and scientists. Many of the rich ones have founded charitable institutions such as hospitals, animal care centers, centers for the disabled, libraries, educational institutions, and - last but not least – temples for the uplifting of the human soul. Yet it is a misconception that they would not practice agriculture as well as commerce. Even warfare is not alien to Jains. Rishabha himself was a teacher in the use of weaponry, and therefore one may find Jains in high positions in the army. Such was the case for example during the Vijanagar Empire (1366-1565). Before I learned this I was shocked to see fighting Jains carved in the outer temple walls of Halebid in Karnataka. Jains do not fight out of aggression or territorial or economic greed however, but as defenders of religion and the nation. Even within the military they function as peacemakers and those who try to prevent worse violence, rather than acting as propagandists of war. They hold religion and ethics in even higher regard than their own lives – which on earth are only short anyway. Life itself is in reality immortal. Nonviolence is the keynote of Jainism, thousands of years ago as well as now.
Two sects
Jainism split into two main sects' more than 2000 years ago on the basis of a difference in interpretation. One group, the Digambaras – literally those “clad with the sky” – were of opinion that, if one wishes to abandon all worldly things, all forms of clothing should be abandoned as well, and that one should also physically adopt a completely detached way of life. In its ultimate consequence this applies only to monks.