Jain Journal 1988 10

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

Page 27

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JAIN JOURNAL
of the Jainas was to be finished before the setting of the Sun. Both have to lop off the hair of the head and the beard etc, at stipulated period. The Jainas never touch fish and flesh while with the Buddhists it was not a taboo. Both never touch liquor. Celibacy is strictly observed by the both. Sages like Sthulabhadra, Bhadrabahu, Hira vijaya, Hemacandra adorn the history of Jaina monachism, so Ananda, Kasyapa, Maudagalyayana, etc. adorn the Church of Buddhism. Both the religions have a host of nuns13 who have illumined the history of their religions. Both can enter the order after dikşă (initiation). Both observe ascetic life very scrupulously and rigorously. Life of a Jaina monk is much more severe and stricter than that of a Buddhist monk or a nun. The duty of both the types of ascetics is very grave as they are expected to properly enlighten the laity. Though the general customs of both the monks and nuns in both the religions agree still if one were to go into minute details there are important differences owing to different type of religions they profess. Still, rules regarding their behaviour with nuns are similar and strict. Initiation ceremony has points of agreements. In the Jaina Tirtha, even prior to Mahavira, nuns were a constutient element in the Church in a very large number. It is quite probable that Jainism might have exercised influence on Buddhism and thus allowed the nuns to enter the order, for Buddha himself was much against the entry of nuns in the order.
Just as, in Buddhism, dhamma, sangha and buddha are considered as three jewels so also in Jainism Jnāna, darsana and caritra are considered as three jewels. Both consider trsnā as the root of all evils. In both the religions bhūtānukampā (love of every creature) is highly praised. The outstanding two qualities of Jainism are ahimsā and anekantavāda. Buddhism is also equally tolerant and respects the views of others.
From the brief kaleidoscopic review of both these important religions of ancient India we can surmise with reason that they have gone a long way in contributing to the development of Indian religions and philosophical thought. Both have done their utmost in the preservation of ancient valuable books in their vihāras and bhändāras. The Jainas have preserved every possible book or manuscript pertaining to any religion in their bhandāras. A flood of light can be thrown on ancient Indian culture and civilization from the study of these manuscripts. Both these religions which are ni vrttiparāyana silently contributed their mite in
19 Srimati, Ambapali with the Buddhists and Kosa, Candanabala, 16 Satis etc. with
the Jainas are an instance in point.