Jainism by Vividus

Author(s): Ramnik V Shah
Publisher: Ramnik V Shah Canada

Page 71

to them; cne is alcohol and such other fermented liquids; one is meat of any kind including eggs: one is opium, hashish, marijuana etc.; one is honey; one is butter without being kept in buttermilk; one is clay; one is poison; one is snow; one is pickles; and the last one is night meals in artificial lighting. It may be mentioned here that this list, though of academic interest only, is of no real significance in the life of the Jainas in the modern times. The list is never claimed as compiled by the Tirthankaras, who, simply in broadest outlines, interpreted the basics of Jaina religion from age to age to the time the last of them viz Mahaviraswami attained Nirvana in 527 B.C. According to them, details of everyday life change taking into consideration the type of the world's portion of land or sea where life exists and the times when it exists. The principle of non-violence and equality maintains the use of only minimal violence essential for self-existence until all accumulated karma is completely destroyed and final emancipation; i.e., Moksha attained. Survival and self-existence are necessary even for the purpose of full and total annihilation of past karma.
The Jainas have established institutions known as “Panjarapoles” where sick and infirm animals live and hospitals where they are treated and nursed till normal death. One such hospital for birds in the capital city of India, New Delhi, opposite the famous Red Fort. is well-known to bird-lovers all over the world.
In the States of Gujarat in the west of India and Maharashtra adjoining to it, Jainas are prominent in business and industry, though once again, because of their basics, they never undertake or enter into certain types of business activities.
The big cities of Ahmedabad and Bombay are full of Jaina temples; particularly noteworthy among them is Hatheesing's Temple outside the Delhi Gate in Ahmedabad, where throughout the year, one or the other kind of religious activity is going on in accordance with old religious traditions, and Jaina monks, both
71