Jainism Parity And Patriarchy

Author(s): Anand Shah
Publisher: Anand Shah

Page 13

Anand Shah | Prof. Ulrike Stark 6.8.18
orientation is given a much higher premium under this model, a natural explanation for
Mallinath's absence as a female icon arises. Namely, Mallinath, as a Thirthankar, has
disentangled herself from physical trappings of her body. In a heightened spiritual stage,
Mallinath has transcended notions of 'man' or 'woman'.
Jain Practice
After having moved through the theoretical considerations of Jain mythology and
philosophy and their implications on Jain women, we can now start to consider more practical
impulses in the lives of Jain women. The analysis will include an overview of class and how it
relates to markers of equality, property rights, and the sangh and its hierarchy for mendicants.
Jains in Merchant Classes
One of the largest markers of gender parity in Jainism are high female literacy rates; in
the last Indian census, Jains earned the distinction of the highest female literacy rates (92.91%
compared to a national average of 64.63%).20 The most natural argument to explain high Jain
gender parity (and, perhaps more pointedly, high female literacy rates) would be that Jains are
much more likely to be middle to high class. 21 Indeed, education and literacy rates do seem to be
directly correlated with economic power because more affluent families place higher premiums
on education and can afford to educate their children, so it follows Jains should have very high
literacy rates in general.22
20 Ibid., 3. 21 International Institute for Population Sciences (IPS) and ICF. 2017. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), 2015-16: India. Mumbai: JIPS, p.31. 22 Hickey, M. Gail, and Mary Stratton. "Schooling in India: Effects of Gender and Caste."scholarlypartnershipsedu, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Jan. 2007.