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we cannot remain together. To be human is defined as caring for those around us, and the values that Jainism preaches are essential.
One of the strongest aspects of Jainism is the theory of karma; specifically that you are the product of your own actions, and no one else's. If you want a good life in the future, you must make good decisions now. Everything comes back to hurt or help you, and this is applicable with or without the basis of Jainism. Being accountable for our actions and consequences is a life skill, and the theory of karma simply takes it to the next level. It is a simple progression that people are bound to make, and as they do, they will begin to follow Jainism
However, to be practical, the numbers of people following the "true" Jainism, following all the minute details, will decrease significantly. However, I think that the number of Shravaks and Shravikas (laymen and laywomen) following the Jain philosophy will increase dramatically. It is hard to follow many of the more strict values of Jainism, but it is a flexible religion, and makes accommodations for daily life. As alluded to before, Jain principles and ideas are just now being recognized as the ones that are best for the continuation of mankind, and the happiest lifestyle.
gather that more will begin to follow our ways. However, no one will ever realize that all these principles are present in Jainism, if they do not even know what Jainism is. And this is the situation with a majority of the world. Most have not heard of Jainism, or if they have, they have a very vague understanding of what it is. There is not much knowledge available which is easy to access. And I think this is one of the situations that will create adversity in the future. As more and more information is circulated online, and the Internet becomes our main way of learning, we must create reputable websites that explain who we are, what our philosophy is, in terms that even non-Jains will understand. We are beginning to do this, but it must be taken far more seriously, and needs the input of Jain followers from across the globe. Websites such as jainuniversity.org are steps in the right direction. A direct website that can answer people's questions, and serve as a pathway for those following Jainism to be connected is good. It will allow for Jains to connect with one and other, creating a forum through which organizations can communicate easily. Because this is the era of communication, and the Internet, everything must be viral to succeed and keep up.
Jainism is a rock in an otherwise tumultuous time period. Throughout the past centuries, Jainism hast deviated very little from the scriptures preached by Mahavir Swami. And this is good. Whereas some may claim that this consistency is showing a lack of will to change, I would argue otherwise. People tend to put their faith in ideas that are concrete, things they can rely on. Religion is often the foundation for people's lives, and if their foundation is not flimsy, their whole life will never be stable. So the fact that Jainism has remained constant, with few changes over the past thousand years, speaks to the integrity of the religion as a whole. This will help Jainism grow because it is an institution in which one can root himself or herself into, and can grow tremendously, without the fear that they will be uprooted. Because these roots can last a lifetime. Jains have been migrating to America and other Western countries in great numbers over the past century, and most still manage to keep their Jainism: The Global Impact
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Vegetarianism is a principle that many non-Jains are starting to practice. Scientists recently discovered that the communities that live the longest, the ones that are free of heart disease and many other ailments, eat a largely plant-based diet. Jainism made this conjecture thousands of years ago, that we should be vegetarians, because killing the animals is only hurting ourselves. However, modern science is just discovering this. The aspect of Anekantvaad (multiplicity of viewpoints), is a preferred trait. The most successful and kind humans realize that situations must be approached from different angles, and that they must be willing to listen to others. This trait is one that mothers try desperately to instill into their children, and that teachers spend lessons trying to convey. Yet Jainism has been preaching it from the very beginning. If people begin to realize that all these aspects are present in the Jain religion, I
