Book Title: Jainism And Its History
Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Research Foundation for Jainology

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Page 116
________________ Islam. Thus, Hindu feudal lords and administrative employees came in contact with the rulers. As a result, they were able to see the better side of Islam, which was free from rituals, casteism, and full of brotherhood which compelled them to think that if Hindu or Jaina religion was to be saved it was necessary to liberate it from ritualistic practices. As a consequence, not only did various sects of non-worshippers of idols emerge, but also rapidly grew by finding favourable conditions or opportunities. In the background of origin of Sthānakavāsi sect in Svetambara tradition and Taranapantha sect in Digambara tradition, we can notice the influence of the form of worship or prayer of Islam which is free from ritualism, even though, originally Jaina tradition had been free from rituals. Thus, it cannot be said categorically that the influence of Islam alone was behind the origin of these two sects. It is traditionally believed that Lokashah was not only recognized and accepted as a treasurer by his Muslim ruler, but he (the ruler) also gave a silent approval to his religious movement. The period of Lokashah was the period of Shershah Suri and Babar following the reign of Muhammad Tuglak. Hindu administrators were also getting influenced by Muslim religion and its culture, besides earning their livelihood from them. It seems that while working for his Muslim ruler in Ahmedabad, Lokashaha also got influenced by some good things about their religion. On the other hand during this period, Jaina religion like Hindu religion also became predominantly ritualistic. And the spiritualistic aspect of Jaina religion was gradually disappearing. Caityavāsis or Yatis were indulging in fleecing money from the masses in order to make themselves richer and stronger. Lokashaha got a chance to study Jaina Jainism and its History 114

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