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THE GREAT SCRIPTURES OF JAINS
Importance :
The study of Jain scriptures is important in many respects :
1. They represent one of the oldest religions of India which has contributed a lot towards Indian culture as it stands today.
2. While Brahmanism and Buddhism, the two great currents of Indian culture, have changed considerably from time to time, Jainism has been able to preserve, to a great extent, its original form. Thus, Jain scriptures provide a faithful picture of ancient civilization.
3. Soon after the death of Mahāvīra, Jainism lost contact with royal families. Even in the time of Mahāvira, in spite of a number of princes following him, royal support for the propagation of his mission was negligible. Jain monks, going on foot from place to place and door to door, established their contact with the masses. Consequently, Jain literature reflects the common life of that period.
4. Jain literature represents all phases of linguistic development beginning from 600 B.C. up to the modern period. Thus, it is very important for linguistic study as well.
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