Jaina Path of Ahimsa

Author(s): Vilas Sangve
Publisher: Bhagwan Mahavir Research Centre

Page 78

Basic Positivity Of Ahimsā
In this connection it is pertinent to note that as a part of the implementation of the vow of Ahimsā including the vow of Aparigraha, the Jaina householders for several centuries have made it one of their cardinal principles to give these four gifts to all persons who are in need of such help. In fact, this help has been extended to the protection and wellbeing of insects, birds and animals also. For this the Jainas have established alm-houses, rest-houses, dispensaries and
onal institutions wherever they have been concentrated in good numbers. The Anna-Chhatralayas, i.e., alm-houses, are being conducted in pilgrim and other centres for the benefit of poor people. In the Dharma-sālas, i.e., rest-houses,lodging arrangements are being provided without any charges or at nominal charges at important towns, cities and pilgrim places. The Aushadhālayas, i.e.., dispensaries, have been providing free medicines to the afflicted persons. Along with the dispensaries for men, the Jainas have been conducting special institutions known as Piñjarāpols for the protection and care of helpless and decrepit animals and birds. In unusual times of flood and famine these Piñjarāpols have been carrying out various activities for animal protection. There is hardly any town or village of Gujarath or Rajasthan, where Piñjarāpols is not present in some form or other.
In the spread of eduction also the Jainas have been taking for many centuries a leading part in the education of the masses. Various relics show that formerly Jaina ascetics took a great share in teaching children in southern countries viz., Tamilanadu, Andhra, Karnatak and Maharashtra. In this connection Dr. A. S. Altekar has rightly observed (in his treatise “Rashtrakutas and their Times”) that “Before the beginning of the alphabet proper the children should be required to pay homage to the deity Ganesha, by reciting the formula, Sri Ganeshaya namah', is natural in Hindu society, but that in the Deccan even to-day it should be followed by the Jaina formula "Om Namah Siddham” shows that the Jaina teachers of medieval age had so completely controlled the mass education that the Hindus continued to teach their children this originally Jaina formula even after the decline of Jainism.”
Even now the Jainas have been vigorously maintaining the tradition of organising welfare activities for the benefit of all concerned by giving freely these Chaturvidha-Dāna, i.e., four types of gifts, in all parts of India.