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5. Tradition of Long Fasting Mahavira practiced fasting for long periods many times, abstaining from both food and water. Jain monks and nuns undergo rigorous fasting as a regular aspect of monastic life. This practice is now a tradition in the Jain community and many households perform long fasts as a major expression of the holy life.
Santhara
Jain scriptures make provision of long fasting even unto death, known as Santhara, in case one is faced with an unavoidable natural calamity, severe drought, old age or an incurable disease. Under such circumstances, Sadhus and Sadhvis and Jain followers also observe Santhara. Prior to the adoption of Santhara, one is required to give up all worldly feelings of affection, love, hatred or any type of attachment with the nearest and dearest of the family. One should also seek permission from his Guru, for adopting the Santhara. Jains believe that after death, the soul leaves the physical body and migrates to new destiny. At this juncture, if the death occurs amidst auspicious thoughts, it is a holy death. It improves the consciousness of the soul which further leads towards the path of Moksha.
6. Economic and Social Front Economically speaking, we observe that Jains are among the wealthiest Indians. Socially, Jains have set up many schools, colleges, hospitals and research institutions, orphanages and homes for the elderly and the destitute. Jains are enterprising in nature and hence a great number of Jains have even settled in various countries and established many Jain culture forums there. All these activities have positively facilitated the survival and development of the Jain culture through ages.
The image of a Jain is one of peace and goodwill. He is a committed vegetarian who believes in non-violence towards all beings. Noticeably, this is also imprinted on the Indian psyche and is the foundation of all spiritual practices. Indeed it can be said that Jain culture has been a morally uplifting factor in the life of Indian society as a whole. With a humanitarian and compassionate philosophy, Jainism has the potential of achieving universal appeal. A day is not far-off when the Jain religion wil be considered as a prominent world religion.
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