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establishing that every individual is an architect of his own destiny and by its own efforts he is capable to attain true happiness, Jainism enables every one to become Pursharthi and "Independent."
ical period. In spite of being small in number even now they own a very large number of Industrial establishments, which are not only producing useful requirements for the country, but also providing good facilities for training to our technical hands & livelihood to countless Indians. Col. Todd has truly indicated in his Annals of Rajasthan, "Half of the mercantile wealth of India passes through the bands of Jain laity.'
Universal Brotherhood: By observing Ahimsa, rooting-out caste-distinc- tions, maintaining Samavada and extending love even to animal kingdom, Jainism establishes all- peace & a necklace of Universal Brotherhood.
Man's own religion: In the words of Miss. Elizabeth Frazer, "Jainism is the only man-made religion" and according to German Scholar Dr. Charlotta Krause, "Man is the greatest subject for man's study," hence French thinker Dr. A. Guernot has rightly remarked, "There is a very great ethical value in Jainism for man's improvement."
Jain Worship: Jain Worship is not idol worship, but it is an ideal worship. The images of Tirthankaras in the Jain temples are only the statues of those great being, who had attained to the perfect state. The English people also gather every year in the Trefalgar Square in London to honor the stone statue of Admiral Nelson & they place before it flowers and garlands, but no one dare to accuse the English people of idolatry. They adore the spirit of Nelson through that statue of stone and this is ideality. Similar is the case with the Jain worship.
Good health & peace of mind: The very fundamental virtues abstaining from meat, wine; not taking food after sunset taking pure and simple food, drinking filtered water etc. are such useful religious principles, which according to Shri Manilal H. Udani, "One who fol- lows strictly the principles of Jainism will always keep best health, thoughts and peace of mind."
Literature: V. A. Smith declares, “The Jains possess extensive literature full of valuable material as yet." So Dr. A.N. Upadhya has rightly said, "Jain Bhandars' are old, authentic and valuable literary treasures and deserves to be looked upon as a part of our National Wealth. Mss. are such a stuff that they cannot to replaced if they are once lost." Jainism contribute in
Scientific-outlook: Jainism is a science to purify a mundane soul, to attain perfection and to obtain undying bliss. Even European thinkers have declared, "Jainism is the only religious system, which reduces every thing to the iron law of nature and with Modern Science."
Morality: Ten-fold Dharma of Jains, by teaching Forgiveness, Mildness, Straightforwardness, Truthfulness, Purity of heart, Self-control, Self-mortification, Charity, Un-attachment and Brahamcharya, raises the moral tone.
(a) Languages: According to the retired I.E.S. Prof. A. Chakarvarti, "The contributions of Jain scholars to literature in different language is the Pride of India. Particularly in Prakrit, Sanskrit and Tamil' are unrivalled and served as model for latter non-Jain writers. They also contributed richly in Dravidian, Kannada, Guajarati. Hindi, English, Urdu, and various other languages on all the important subjects of the
day.
Industry and Commerce: Jains have been the master of industry & Com- (b) Arithmetic: American scholar Mr. James Bimerce. History tells us that they went to foreign set points out, "The writers of Jain sacred books countries for trade even long before the pre-histor- are very systematic thinkers and particularly strong
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