Jains Through Time

Author(s): Shilapi Sadhvi
Publisher: Veerayatan

Page 38

The Jains through Time
right to his own opinion and I am not practices in a scientific and logical way, biased towards one or the other point of whereas some followers of Jainism, because view. I feel it is this sectarian prejudice, of this sectarian rivalry, are arguing amongst resulting in the development of separate themselves trying to prove who is the better beliefs and observances, that has proved a Jain. This results in an open and unhealthy great obstacle on the evolutionary path of confrontation, with each side attempting to Jain thought. Jainism was developing into a take control of the holy places associated single strong skein of silk until these varied with the Tirthankars, as has happened at interpretations began to split it into many Sammet Shikharji, the place of nirvana for strands. In my view such divisions in twenty Tirthankars. The tension which has Jainism, whether arising out of the past, or arisen between the Digambars and the existing in the present, are totally Shvetambars on the issue of Sammet insignificant. Both the Digambar and Shikharji is saddening. Is this not a mockery Shvetambar schools are equally worthy of of Tirthankar Mahavir's multidimensional my praise, or where appropriate, my religion of non-violence, compassion and constructive criticism, because both are friendship? Is it not a desecration of the equally devoted to Tirthankar Mahavir. holy ground where the Tirthankars However, the situation today grieves me preached? I feel that some of the followers because the Digambars and Shvetambars, have completely forgotten the glorious past forgetting their common ground, are and the real meaning of Jainism. flexing their muscles and squaring up to Competition and conflict are a waste of each other like members of opposing forces, energy and nothing less than blows aimed at rather than devotees of the same religion. the heart of Jainism itself.
Standing on the threshold of the twenty first century, I see other religions presenting their philosophical beliefs and ritual