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THE JAINA GAZETTE.
It will not be improper to say something about the present status of the Jains of this province. As far as I know there are about 15,000 Jains in this province. They are all descended from the ancient Digambar Jains. Now-a-days some Swetambar Jains have also come and settled here for the purpose of their trade. Which Jain would not feel sorry for the downfallen condition of his community which was once very rich in number, wealth and influence? All the Jains especially the learned and the wealthy Jains of this province should devote their attention to bring forward the community of this province. It is a happy thing to note that since some time past earnest efforts are being made to improve the condition of the Community. All honour goes to Mr. M. L. Vardhamaniah, the Chairman of the Reception Committee, for coming forward to help his Community. First of all he established in his own place, Mysore, a Digambar Jain Boarding and Sanskrit Vidhyalaya. This boarding has been of very great help to the students. In order to help the Jain students in other places also he started 4 or 5 years ago THE MYSORE JAIN EDUCATION FUND ASSOCIATION which has been doing very good work since its formation. Religious instruction is also given to the students of the Boarding by a learned Jain Shastri. Mere secular education makes one easily act according to the dictates of his senses. Therefore religious education is very essential.
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We are all ardent followers of the doctrine of Ahimsa. By preaching this doctrine in the past, we were able to stop the killing of animals in Yajna. We should continue to preach and strictly observe this great Dharma and prevent the slaughtering of animals in the name of Religion before Gods and Goddesses. It gives us immense joy to hear that in the Travancore and in Dewas (Malwa) states, the rulers have passed orders prohibiting the killing of animals for the sake of Religion. We most humbly pray to His Highness, the sun of all Kshatriyas, to kindly issue orders to stop killing animals for the sake of Religion in the Mysore State also.
Many of our Acharyas hailed from the Mysore and the Kannada provinces. They have produced many works in Prakrit, Samskrit and Kannada. Three-fourths of the Jain Literature that now exists were the productions of these Acharyas. For example Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
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