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JAIN JOURNAL
to originality regarding their moral code, but that the Brahmana ascetic was their model from which they borrowed many important practices and institutions. With, however, our present knowledge of the Jainas and their sacred literature, it is not difficult to prove that Jainism, far from being on offshoot of Buddhism or Brahmanism, was one of the earliest home religions of India. The simple devotion of the Jainas and their homely prayer, without the intervention of a Brahmana, may prove not merely their antiquity but, what is more important, the independent nature of their existence.” Moreover, as F. W. Thomas avers, "Jainism, on the other hand (unlike Buddhism, etc.) has preserved down to the present time, its integrity as a separate world in the midst of Hinduism.”
It will not be out of place in this context to quote a few legal authorities : T. N. Sheshagiri Ayer, Judge of the Madras High Court, said, “I have no desire to date the Jaina religion at a period subsequent to the Vedas ; it might be simultaneous with them. Jainas are not the Hindu dissenters. I can fully bear out the statement that all Jainas are not Vaisyas. They are of all castes and grades."
The Hon'ble Justice Coomar Swami Sastri, Chief Judge of the Madras High Court, observed, “Were the matter resintegra, I would be inclined to hold that modern research has shown that Jainas are not Hindu dissenters, but that Jainism has an origin and history long anterior to the Smstis and commentaries which are the recognised authorities on Hindu Law and Usage. In fact, Mahavira, the last of the Jaina Tirthankaras, was a contemporary of Buddha, and died about 527 B.C. The Jaina religion refers to a number of previous Tirthankaras, and there can be little doubt that Jainism as a distinct religion was flourishing several centuries before Christ. In fact, Jainism rejects the authority of the Vedas which form the bedrock of Hinduism and denies the efficacy of various ceremonies which Hindus consider essential.”
And, Mr. Justice Rangnekar of the Bombay High Court remarks, "It is true the Jainas reject the scriptural character of the Vedas and repudiate the Brahmanical doctrines relating to obsequial ceremonies, the performance of śrāddhas and the offering of oblations for the salvation of the soul of the deceased. Amongst them there is no belief that a son by birth or adoption confers spiritual benefit on the father. They also differ from the Brahmanical Hindus in their conduct towards the dead, omitting all obsequies after the corpse is burnt or buried. Now it is true, as later historical researches have shown that Jainism prevailed in this country long before Brahmanism came into existence or converted into Hinduism. It is also true that owing to their long association with
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