Jain Journal 1975 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 16

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JAIN JOURNAL
The Jaina monasteries were as little places of rational works 51 as were any other Asiatic monasteries. At that, Jainism depreciated caste dharma, but later on permitted its development. In the ramifications of Jainism it would seem to be quite tangible that there lacked the strong psychological incentive to one's own vocation. For example, in India Jaina monastic education has produced a degree of elementary education. This agrees with the exclusively religious purposes of the schooling. In old times the Yatis taught the sons of the Sravakas the various subjects. The extent of local predominance of Jainadharma in India was decisive for the amount of literacy52.
With the elimination of Brahmanahood through the introduction of Jainism in North India, East India, South-East India, South India and West India as a state religion53 a new society emerged with a new spirit. The practice of the arts stimulated by the Jainistic influence has been able to produce the works of the same value.
Given its nature, correct Jainism simply could well be other than inimical to or at least tolerant of industry54. Only the needs of the laity have made for the creation and conservation of religious art-typical of Jainism55 and Buddhism. The religious interests of the correct Jaina laity were oriented primarily to rebirth opportunities as high personage, endowed with devoutness and good qualities, to the prayer, to be born always as a rich man and adherent to the Tirthankaras and finally the hope of achieving Kevalajñāna and Kevaladarsana and attaining liberation56.
51 All the Jaina monasteries of the past and the present stand as evidences for this view, although there had been cases where the monks taught the sons of the Sravakas in various subjects.
52 In old times the Jaina Yatis taught the sons of the Sravakas various subjects for preparing them to be settled in social life.
53 Jainism was the state religion of Sindhu-Sauvira under king Udayana who took to asceticism later on; Valabhi under king Dhruvasena had Jainadharma as state religion; Kalinga under king Kharavela had Jainadharma as state religion, while it was also a state religion under Jaina King of Andhra, Dhanada, who ruled from Pratipalapura (Bhattiprolu).
54 The rich money lenders turned industrialists with the industrial growth in India.
55 All Jaina arts and architecture represent the religious interests of the Jaina laities.
56 E.g., Sudarsana, a merchant of Vanijyagrama (Bhagavati, 10.4.404), Prince Mahabala of Hastinapur (Bhagavati, 11.11.424), etc. were born in rich families and attained Kevalajnana-darsana and liberation after being initiated by Mahavira and having practised austerity and meditation.