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MEDIEVAL JAINISM : CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT
they advocated the principle of 'Live and let live'. In this way the Jain Acharyas convinced the people that the practice of Ahimsa is both an individual and a collective virtue and showed that Ahimsa has a positive force and a universal appeal.
As the principle of Ahimsa permeates the life of the Jainas, the Jaina culture is referred to as Ahimsa culture. If the Jainas are known for anything it is for the evolution of Ahimsa culture since they practised and propagated that culture from ancient times. The antiquity and continuity of Ahimsa culture is mainly due to the incessant efforts of the Jaina Acharyas. Naturally wherever the Jainas were in great numbers and wielded some influence they tried to spread Ahimsa culture among the masses. That is why we find that the States of Gujarat and Karnataka, which were the strongholds of Jainas from the beginning, are largely vegetarian. In fact it is admitted that as a result of the activities of the Jainas for the last so many centuries Ahimsa still forms the substratum of Indian character as a whole.
4. Insistence of Tolerance
Advocacy of the principle of religious tolerance has been the characteristic contribution of Jain Acharyas. The doctrine of Anekantavada propounded by them broadens the outlook of the persons and removes the feelings of hatred towards the other religionists. This principle was applied not only to religious but also to intellectual, social and other fields of activities.
Human beings have limited knowledge and inadequate expression. That is why different doctrines are inadequate; at the most they are one-sided views of the Truth which cannot be duly enclosed in words and concepts. Jainism has always held that it is wrong, if not
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