Book Title: Jainism The Cosmic Vision
Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: UK Mahavir Foundation London

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Page 31
________________ Jainism : The Cosmic Vision householder the parent of the monk. Monks who are sick, aged, and helpless are thus taken care of in their time of need. The ideal of such physical service was practised particularly in the area of medical help (Aushadhi Dann) and created a communal sense of security (Abhaya Dana). Social service is a prominent outcome of Jain ethics. It prescribes six daily duties for every householder, viz. adoration of the deity (Jina), veneration of the Gurus, study of literature and scriptures, practice of self discipline, observance of fasts and the curbing of appetites and giving of charity. Moreover, Jainism is a leading religion in providing hospitals for animals and birds. Its epitome of true spirituality is found when a monk, wrapped in contemplation, takes time to mend the broken wing of a little sparrow. Women have been accorded equal status in the Jain religion. In fact, there were more women in the order of Lord Mahavira than men. The scriptures record many tributes to exceptional women. The care of women, especially in critical situations, is given a higher priority than that of men. Mothers of the Tirthankaras are given special honour through communal worship. Legends abound in which women of high spiritual merit, such as Brahmi, Sundari, Mallikumari, and Rajimati have come to the aid of men. Women have been recognized for their exceptional contributions in the field of education, culture and religion. Jainism propounds that every man must first put a limit to the acquisition of property, and then entirely devote his time for public good. People engaged in independent professions such as lawyers, doctors, merchants, engineers, etc. must retire when they reach the limits fixed for them and thus make room 14 www.jainelibrary.org Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only

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