Jain Journal 2002 07

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

Page 43

CONTRIBUTION OF JAINISM TO THE CULTURE OF SOUTH INDIA
Dr. B. K. KHADABADI
Introduction
Jainism is one of the oldest religions of the world and according to Dr. Jyoti Prasad Jain, it is the oldest among the living religions of today. Ahimsā (Non-violence), Anekāntavāda (The Principle of Nonabsolutism) and Aparigraha (carefully limited possession of property and other worldy objects) are their outstanding contribution to human thought and welfare.
Born and cradled in North India, Jainism moved into South India and gradually gained strength and grew to a considerable height and played its manysided benevolent role there during the early and middle periods of its history from C. 300 B.C. to C. 1200 A.D. Hence its cultural contribution to South India is rich as well as colourful.
Dr. Hiralal Jain in his 'Contribution of Jainism to Indian Culture' in Hindi (Bhopal, 1962) depicted very well the various aspects of the contribution of Jainism to Indian culture.
Now I have treated in this small book similar aspects, shedding fresh light in respect of some regions of South India. For example, so far Maharastra almost remained in dark regarding the cultural contribution of Jainism to its region. Kerala and Andhra Pradesh are peculiar in this respect. I have for the first time attempted here to fill up this lacuna to a considerable extent.
On the sacred occasion of the celebrations of Bhagavān Mahāvira's 2600th Birth Anniversary all over the world, I feel rather proud to record in this small but significant book, the abiding value of the role of this Great Savant's Dharma Chakra that graciously moved into South India and played its benevolent role therein. I hope, scholars in this field as well as general readers would find this piece of work interesting and enlightening.
Lastly, I sincerely thank the office-bearers of the esteemed Jain Bhawan of Calcutta.