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Editorial
Adversities Create History Jaina Religion is an independent and one of the oldest religions. It has an independent, rich and glorious history. All branches of Jaina history are rich and interesting. Philosophy, principles, metaphysics and concepts are the fundamentals of any religion or religious tradition and culture. These original principles and basic concepts are also the grounds for independency and originality of any tradition or religion. Independency of Jaina Religion is also due to its unique philosophy and principles. Concepts of Jiva (living being), Ajiva (non-living being), Moksa (liberation), Karmavāda, Anekant (non-absolutism), Jaina Acar (practice) etc. prove that Jainism has very unique tradition continuing down the generations from time immemorial.
Principles and practices influence the traditions mutually. With the passage of hundreds of centuries, Jaina tradition has upheld its exclusivity. Jaina practitioners never deserted the path of ahimsa even in the Tantra Yuga. They embraced positivity and stood with ahimsa, welfare of society and well being of humanity. Annals of golden Jaina history are witness of the fact.
Indeed language, literature and ideology are the very base of any religion, culture and tradition. Jaina literature is abundant and the ideologies are scientific. Jaina thinkers and writers have enriched its literature in every era in spite of countless difficulties. Adversities are the opportunities where history is created.
Jaina principles and practices have been relevant in all periods of time. Perhaps, it is more relevant in the present times. The relevance of Jaina principles has also been described by the author in this book very precisely. Erudite author professor Dr. Sagarmal-Ji Jain is an eminent scholar of Jainology and Indology.
5 Jainism and its History
