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and emancipation) of the Tīrthankaras are also observed as festive occasions. At the end of fortnight and four months (Caumasi), many Svetambara Jainas observe fast and do retrospection (Pratikramana). The days of birth and Nirvāṇa of Bhagavana Mahāvīra (Mahāvīra Jayanti & Dipavali) are also observed with great enthusiasm by the entire Jaina community.
ALTRUISTIC ATTITUDE OF JAINISM
It is true that Jainism is a monastic religion. In its practice, special stress has been laid on self-purification and self-restraint, but from this it cannot be inferred that it is self centered and has no concern for the welfare of mankind. Jainism undoubtedly asserts that from the individualistic view-point, a chaste and seclusive life is more suitable, but at the same time it suggests that enlightenment or spiritual development obtained through penance should be utilized for social welfare. Mahāvīra's own life bears testimony to this fact. After spending twelve years in solitary austerities, he went back to society. He established a four-fold social order of monks, nuns, lay-men and laywomen and gave them guidance to the last moment of his life.
Jainism admits the necessity of social-welfare and social service, but it should proceed from individual uplift. The individual is the primary unit of society. Hence so long as individuals remain under the grip of passions there is no question of social amelioration. So long as the moral and spiritual consciousness is not developed in individual life, order and peace cannot be established in social life. The man who has no control over his selfish motives and desires cannot be socially fit. For rendering social service, one must be free from selfishness and should develop a sense of equality for other beings. An altruistic attitude is primarily needed for a social outlook; selfishness is destructive for social life. The
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