Jaina Law Bhadrabahu Samhita

Author(s): J L Jaini
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

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viii
PRETAOE.
should be in cordial harmony with the essential theological and moral teachings of Jainism. Our law grew out of this inner necessity of our corporate life. No doubt, in many things our legal system will take its color from the legal notions of our neighbours ; even as in dress and many external things, we unconsciously imitate our neighbours. But the spirit of our Law remained as distinct from that of the Laws of Brahmans and others, as Jainism is different from the religion of the Vedas, Upanishadas and Puranas. Well, in accordance with the conclusions of Montesquieu, our climatic circumstances being the same, Jaina jurisprudence would run on lines similar to those of Hindu jurisprudence. But the fundamental divergence between Hindu and Jaina theology would work out most important differences in the principles and details of the two systems. Does not our belief or disbelief in a God, in a Creator of the Universe, in Souls, etc., affect most materially the rules that regulate our affairs in the family, in society, and in the world at large ? All the departments of Law-Family Law, Law of Property, Law of Succession, Law of Obligations and Procedurem-are affected by any peculiar views that are accepted by the law-givers or by the people who are governed by these laws.
Two great principles of Jainism may roughly be