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30 / JAIN STUDIES AND SCIENCE
non-possession and truth. As a matter of practice, all followers of Jainism endeavour to fulfil these sacred promises to the best of ones capabilities. Many a times they vow to abstain from eating after sun-set.
Jain Samana and Samani have spread the teachings of Jain pioneers and have immensely contributed to the cause of social up-lifting and enlightenment. In order to keep politics segregated from religion, Jains do not encourage formation of any political wing. Their sole aim is to achieve the ultimate enlightenment through the process of social service and penance.
Jains never look down upon any other form of religion nor do they resort to mass-conversion agenda. They believe in the reform of individual soul. They believe in self-discipline and not in defeating other human beings or creatures.
Vast ocean of Jain-knowledge can be better understood by classifying it in three broad categories –
o The Religion
The Philosophy
o The Science 1. Jain Religion
What is religion? There is no standard definition which is acceptable to all. Several religions surfaced during the history of mankind, but only a few could survive the test of time. Only those religions were accepted and followed which advocated the moral and ethical purity. One such religion is Jainism which carried forward so far on the wheels of Ahimsa and non-possession. These two tenets resulted in peaceful social coexistence. It is because of this, the Jainism is spreading its wings fastest and farthest in this vast world. It is a fact that Jains fall behind in the number game as their religion is centred towards the liberation of soul from the clutches of Karma rather than accumulation of followers. Jain gurus and Acharyas concentrate on their self-purification and seldom indulge in efforts to increase the numbers.
The principal goal of a Jain is to achieve Moksha – the pure soul,
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