Jain Journal 2008 01 No 03

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

Page 32

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JAIN JOURNAL VOL-XLII, NO.3 JANUARY. 2008
impurities (Mala) which estrange soul from its true nature is reminiscent of Jaina-ideas. (Glasenapp, ibid, p. 494). A group of people thinks that there is an influence of the karma-theory of the Jainas upon the doctrine of Anava-. Some scholars labour under the idea that the influence of Jainism is also probable on the doctrine and cult of the Lingayats". (Glasenapp, ibid, p. 495).
Even the Muslim rulers were greatly influenced by the moral values of the Jaina codes. The forbearance (kṣamā), humility (mardava), uprightness (ārjava), absence of greediness (nirlobhatā), truthfulness (satyatā) and many other good qualities, and the philosophy of the Jains have attracted many Muslim rulers in the mediaeval India. And they did quite a lot to the Jain monks and religion. At the initial stage there was some misunderstanding with the Jains, but at a later stage both the Muslims and the Jains became very good friends, and even today the Jains can go well with the Muslims of the country. From the pages of history, I will cite a few examples to demonstrate the truth of this assertion.
After the foundation of an Islamic state in Sindh sometime in 712 A.D., the position of the Jains as well as the Hindus was not very congeneal. At the invasions of Mahmud Gazni (1001 A.D.), Mahammed Ghori (1175 A.D.) and Ala-ud-din Muhammed Shah Khilji marching through Gujarat in 1297-98A.D., the Jains were very much distrurbed. Even though the position of the Jains was not congeneal at the initial stage, the relationship between the Muslims and the Jains gradually became very friendly. The good relationsship was possible by the influence of the Arabian missionary Pir Mahābir. Khamdayat, who came to India in 1304 A.D. He, by his sheer eloquence, brought both the Jains and the Muslims under one canopy. As a result, many Muslim rulers honoured many Jain poets. For example, Ala-ud-din gave the Jaina poet Ramacandra Sūri many presents. In a similar way, Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388 A.D.) honoured Ratnasekhara, the author of Śripālacarita.
In this connection the name of Emperor Akbar (1566-1606A.D.) can be mentioned. Emperor Akbar showed immense kindness to one Śvetambara Jaina teacher Hiravijayaji. It is said that Akbar took great