Jains in India and Abroad

Author(s): Prakash C Jain
Publisher: International Summer School for Jain Studies

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literature, the association is devoted to the Jain unity. It also brings out a monthly magazine Bhartiya Jain Milan Samachar.
Jain Social Organisation Jains' social organisational patterns closely resemble those prevalent among the Hindus. The Jains share the kinship and marriage structures of the regional-linguistic area they are located in. Thus for example, "the cross-cousin marriage is neither allowed nor practiced by Jains in the northern India but in the Deccan and Karnataka the cross-cousin marriage is not only allowed but preferred also” (Sangave 1980: 156). Caste and sub-sect endogamy and the gotra exogamy are generally practised by the Jains. According to the People of India Project reports that were based on surveys of about one hundred Jain "communities” (sic), “Cross-cousin marriage [involving Father's Sister's Daughter (FSD)] is reported among 14 communities (14 per cent against 44.01 per cent at the national level), cross-cousin [involving Mother's Brother's Daughter (MBD)] among 15 (15 per cent against a national level 51.09 per cent) and uncle-niece marriage in six communities” (Singh 1998: 1328). The findings further suggest that "Sorrorate junior is practised in 44 communities (44 per cent against a national average of 58.04 per cent) and levirate junior in five communities (5 per cent against a national average of 30.33 per cent)” (Singh 1998: 1329).
Jains prefer adult marriage, arranged through negotiations, but with the consent of the potential bride and the groom. Earlier, marriages before the puberty of a girl were common, but now the girls are married around 18 years of age and boys around 22. Monogamy is an expected norm. As among the Hindus, in Jains too a sindur (vermilion) mark, bindi, toe-rings, mangalsutra and glass bangles are the symbols of a married woman. Dowry is accepted in cash and kind, and the amount of dowry is on the increase. Residence is patrilocal. Divorce and widow remarriages are generally discouraged. Widower remarriage however is quite common. According to the findings of the People of India Project mentioned earlier, "widows and female divorcees are permitted to remarry in 29 communities (29 per cent as against a national average of 81.36 per cent), while widower remarriage is permitted in 97 communities” (Singh 1998: 1329). Jain marriages are performed at the bride's residence, though in some
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