Jains Through Time

Author(s): Shilapi Sadhvi
Publisher: Veerayatan

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The Jains through Time
hidden under those of other religions. Why this has happened, or who is responsible for it, is a matter for further research and introspection. I have already seen everything, and I know that there never has been as beautiful an expression of the urge to protect nature or nurture empathy as there is in Jainism. Its separate existence is obvious because it has a unique and scientifically based philosophy, it provides an inspirational spiritual path and is complete in itself.
I am free from all limitations; I see the world as a whole. Scholars may consider this as a boast, or a challenge on my part, but the truth is that there have been many epochmaking personalities in the history of India whose stories are inscribed on my heart, but whose deeds have not yet had the chroniclers at hand to bring them to the light of day. The flame of compassion and truth nurtured by the great Jain savants has been brought to the attention of the world by foreign scholars like Germany's Walter Schubring and Herman Jacobi. The latter cited scholarly arguments on the basis of his research and study that showed Jainism as a
completely separate religion, independent of both Buddhism and the Vedic religion, and proved that it existed in India well before the last Tirthankar of this avsarpini cycle.
When I see findings of this nature I am delighted because I am reminded of the past unfolding in an unending pattern of events which history can never see. Humanity tends to believe only in things that are written down, and historians have confirmed the existence of only four of Jainism's twenty four Tirthankars in my present avsarpini cycle. They are Rishabhdev, Arishtanemi, Parshvanath and Mahavir. I feel that their research is incomplete as I am witness to both recorded and unrecorded history. However, mindful of the conventions of this sceptical age, and confining myself only to what has been incontrovertibly established by historians, I will begin with the first Tirthankar, Bhagvan Rishabhdev, who shines radiantly in my memory.