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Ninth Chapter
PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
NATIONAL ROLE OF JAIN DHARMA
Jain dharma is a very liberal religion. Its doctrines are liberal. In the national context the Jain society has always been nationalistic; its members have love and devotion for the country. Jainism was born in India and has flowered also in India. All its Tirthařkaras and great men were born here only. The places of their birth, austerities, and nirvana are all in this land called Bhārata. Their pilgrimages, temples and archaeological sites are located in this country. Therefore, their national allegiance has always been undivided. Jain society is among the most cultured and civilized societies in the world. It is a peace loving and non-violent society that never has disputes with followers of other religions. History provides evidence that Jainism has never been intolerant or aggressive towards other religions, sects, cultures, and races. On the contrary it has always followed the liberal policy of assimilation and coexistence with others. The only instances of struggle have been for its own defense or protection of its temples and its culture. It has never been aggressive. The strongest evidence in favour of this is that Jains have never forcibly occupied religious places and temples belonging to other religions. They have never transformed temples of other religions into Jain temples. This is in spite of the fact that hundreds of Jain temples have been demolished or so transformed.
Those who take it as cowardice or weakness of Jains and not their liberal attitude are ignorant of the history. This country has seen a plenty of Jain emperors and kings besides innumerable feudal lords. There have been Jain kings from many dynasties including Nanda, Maurya, Calukya, Ganga, Hoysala and Ela. Many kingdoms had Jains in commanding positions in the administration, such as ministers,
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