Jain System in Nutshell

Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Nij Gyan Sagar Shiksha Kosh Santa MP

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Vijaynagar Kingdom also followed suit. It lasted until 14 th century. The Andhrite Rashrtrakuta patronisation was a golden period for Jain scholarly works and Jain art of cave temples specially during the period of Amoghvarsha. This lasted for about 400 years up to 12th. century. Many Jainas held high state positions in their kingdoms. Chamundrai of the fame of Shravanvelgola is one of them. They supported the Jain temples and monasteries. It is recorded that about one third of the southern population might have been Jain in this period.
. With the advent of non-sympathisers of Jain-kingdoms in some parts and later in south, the Jainas suffered royal support and therefore decline 12th century afterwards. However, they could maintain themselves because of their mercenary skill and non-violence-based religion. They suffered, however, numerically and culturally. The Muslim period has also the same story with few exceptions. However, the Jainas saw the growth of non-idolator subsects during this period. The religic us ministry (Bhattarak) system was also developed during that time to maintain culture with literary growth. It is creditable for the Jainas that they could succeed in holding themselves at such heavy odds. The British rule could help build a wider outlook and an atmosphere of religious freedom. The secular and independant India has helped many of its national charioteering and consecration programs resulting in its tuning with livingness in twentieth century. This has led Jainas to awaken on many fronts like writing and translating Jain literature in non-Indian languages, tendency to spread Jain teachings, opening Jain educational institutions nationwide, organising national and international bodies to consolidate the progress in this direction. They are now holding national academic seminars and helping establish Jainology courses in universities throughout the world. The movement of Jainas in business, education, current professions and even in monkhood abroad has led to spread it far and wide. These activities have led a good interest of non-jains and western scholars to study, Jainism and create a wider readership for its teaching and practice. Jainism is, thus, again picking up even international health without active patronage from any corner. History of Jainism: Literary History
The spread of Jain teachings has been influenced more by the ancient, medieval and modern Jain monks and scholars than the royal support, of course, this support attenuated the literary compositions. It is said that Aryrakshit of first century AD classified the different types of Jain literature under four groups: (i) Stories, biographies and narrative literature, (ii) technical literature (iii) ethical and moral literature and (iv) ontology and philosophy. Jain elders, monks, scholars, bhattarakas and householders-all have contributed in composing different types of