Jains Through Time

Author(s): Shilapi Sadhvi
Publisher: Veerayatan

Page 86

The Jains through Time
bringing to you the power and radiance of what you have witnessed in previous pages. some of the jewels stored in my limitless memory. I have simply tried to tell you what Jainism has had such great prophets and I have observed over the centuries. Yet in such glorious antecedents; why then does presenting these facts of Jain history to you, the light of Jainism sometimes seem to have I accept with sorrow the reality that a been dimmed, and the religion appear to religion, once so venerable and splendid, has languish? Why does the Jain community now so little in keeping with the glories of sometimes seem to take less and less of a its past.
stance on issues like the protection of
animals, the ecological balance, and the If anyone asks me why I am so eager for the eradication of poverty and violence? The world-wide spread of Jainism, I would idea of ahimsa seems to be more of a theory answer that the bequest of the Tirthankars than a practice. The minute somebody not remain confined to one community, but brings up the subject of the Jain religion, be spread to all humanity, that Jain society whether it be in India or any other place in develop its culture and ideas, and I would the world, people immediately ask : "Is it like the participation of Jains in the name of a race, an art or a cult ?" Then administration, defence and other national in order to explain what it is, people say: programmes to be enhanced. I also want "It's like Buddhism; it originated in India." educational and other social welfare If a contemporary religion like Buddhism activities run by the Jains to reach can make its mark on the honour-roll of unparalleled heights. The life of Tirthankar world religions, then why can't Jainism? Mahavir was lived for the welfare of all, so his teachings should also be used for the To find out the reasons, I journeyed back development of all. I am delighted to say through the splendour of Jainism. I wanted that Jains have followed these precepts over to inquire as to where and when in its the centuries, history bears it out, and this is glorious past, these ideas about a withdrawal