Jain Journal 1976 04

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

Page 14

146
JAIN JOURNAL
The above discussion shows that Jaina ethics and their commitment to the principles of non-violence have forced them to follow certain occupations and professions which have led them to unusual success in business enterprises. It is basically their unique ethic that the Jainas, though a small minority community, "developed most of the essentials of the spirit of modern capitalism centuries ago ... Now with capitalism entering India from the West, the Jains are unusually well-equippe play a dynamic role in the social order” of a new India. (Navaskar 1971: 235)
Summary and Conclusions
The Jainas have always constituted a small religious minority of Indian society throughout their historical existence. The two other criteria of language and ethnic background that define a minority do not apply to them for they speak practically every language of India and cannot be isolated ethnically from other Indian people.
An analysis of Jaina population distribution shows their concentration in western India including central India. The Jainas show their preference for urban as opposed to rural areas. They occupy a preeminent position in trade and commerce and much of India's wealth passes through their hands who compose barely 1/2% of India's population. Their honesty, reliability, loyalty, integrity and religiosity has won them immense wealth and influence in India. They compare favourably with the peaceloving and pious Quakers and successful and conservative Jews in the West. Their ethic is largely given the credit for this success and sense of loyalty.
Jainism, though preached and propagated by warrior princes (Ksatriyas), has come to have an entirely merchant (Vaisya) following. Most scholars have taken this to mean a downward social mobility of
wealth were both proverbial. He further adds "that the Jainas, at least the Swetambara Jainas nearly all became traders was due to purely ritualistic reasons.... a case similar to the Jews. Only the trader could truly practise ahimsa. This special manner of trading, too, determined by ritual, with its particularly strong aversion against travelling and their way of making travel difficult restricted them to resident trade, again as with the Jews to banking and money-lending". (Ibid:200) Apart from the vows the Jaina layfolk were also encouraged to develop the following twenty-one qualities: serious demeanor, cleanliness, good temper, striving after popularity, fear of sinning, mercy, straightforwardness, wisdom, modesty, kindliness, moderation, gentleness, care of speech, socialibility, caution, studiousness, reverence for old age and old customs, humility, gratitude, benevolence and attention to business. (Cf. Nevaskar, 1971:159)