Book Title: Jainism its Distinctive Features and Their Impact on our Composite Culture
Author(s): Kr De Karnataki
Publisher: Z_Vijay_Vallabh_suri_Smarak_Granth_012060.pdf
________________ 86 ACARYA VIJAYAVALLABHASURI COMMEMORATION VOLUME tive slant in the Vedic people. This is the legacy that Jainism has left to all subsequent development of our culture. The consistently and elaborately systematised code of ethics-comprising the antara (the internal) and the bahya (the outer) aspects built up by the Jaina tradition could not but percolate into the VedicBrahmanic core surely and subtly. Especially the Yoga system seems to have been mightily influenced by Jainism. It is no wonder that these strands have been woven over into the texture of Bharatiya samskrti that we have inherited. The distinct order of samnyasis or yati-munis, leading a rigorous and pure life based on celibacy and wholly devoting themselves to tattva-cintana, and thereby infusing an elevating tone into the body-politic of the society, has been an intermittent feature of Jainism since time immemorial. The Vedic people mostly had ssis. who lived their ordinary lives of house-holders devoted to teaching Vedic lore. Necessarily, the Jaina order of samnyasis, with its elaborate and rigorous rules of conduct and organisation, strongly appealed to our people in the Vedic period by its thoroughness and usefulness. Hence, we find that the order of samnyasis, together with definite religious institutions, became incorporated and thus was evolved and developed the definite functioning limb of our tradition. This also is one of the greatest contributions that must have been, to a great extent, made by Jainism to our composite culture. We have pitched upon the essential features of Bharatiya samskrti and singling out the distinct elements of Jaina tradition, which admittedly stretches into the dimmest past of our country's history and, moreover, is undoubtedly indigenous, have tried to trace the patterns of influence and contribution to the common stream that has taken rise, being swollen to what it is by very many tributaries flowing their waters into it over all the ages gone by. Naturally and necessarily, ours has been a line of exposition largely summary and suggestive. But, sufficient reflection, it is hoped, is offered to point to the unchallengeable and significant contribution of Jainism, along with other strands, in the evolution and development of our composite culture. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org
