Jain System in Nutshell

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

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of Jina idols through symbolisation of their five great auspicious events, charioteering the idols for glorification of religion, adoration of Jina idols, consecration of altars, seating the idol and the like. Initiation to monkhood is another such ceremonial. These are very impressive and serve as illuminatiors of the religion.
Besides rituals, Jainas are rich in festivals too. They are rooted directly in religious practices and reminders. Some festivals may have ritualistic functions too. The 8-10 day Paryushan festival in Aug.-Sept. is supreme among them. The special performances due to completion of various vows like gem-trio, sixteen casuals, eightdayed vow, Nandishvar and others have also been festivalised in different periods of the year. Who can forget the glorifying festival of Lamps (Diwali) in November-the day of salvation of Mahavira? The Scriptural fifth festival reminds us the first delivery of Mahaviran Sermons. The Sacred threading (Raksha bandhan) in August is unique in the world where weaker sections specially women strengthen their brother-hood with those in better position. The day of Forgiveness or annual atonements is another unique festival which has now been universalised in different parts of the world. Eulogical and incantational chantings are also becoming a regular festivity. Performing arts activities like dance, drama and the like related with religious themes are also picking up as youth activity. It is felt that there might be more festivals in a year than the number of days. However, they are optional activities and individuals and groups select their own celebrations. They represent the color, glory and livingness of the Jaina church.
Contribution of Jainism to Contemporary Issues
A recently published book on hundred great men of the world included Mahavira's name. This western selection indicates that Mahavira has cast high impression on the spiritual and behavorial pattern of human kind in the world. The Jinistic non-creator god concept makes man maker of his own destiny. It empowers him to solve the problems of the day and of his own creations in general by following Jinistic ethical and conductal guidelines.
We are living in an age of scientific and industrial development leading to more and more materialistic bias and comforts. This modernism has belied the concept of 'Sound mind in sound body'. It has created larger number of problems in comparision to Mahaviran agesome carryover of the past and some newly created ones. These problems start with the individuals in terms of their personal ethical standard, the family life including women status and role and end up in many social, national, and global level problems of ethnics, religion, population, environment, economic imbalance and wars. The basic