________________
Rightful Exposition of Jainism in the West :
(257)
Śvetāmbara and Tāraṇpantha of Digambaras generally do not find mention.
2. The Jainas are generally found in every part and state of India. However, most authors have pointed Digambaras to exist in south and the Svetāmbara in the north (It is probable that this concept of theirs might be with early historical perspectives, they have, generally, forgotten central, eastern and western India (Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Jabalpur, Calcutta, Dimapur etc.).
3. The Svetămbaras have been stated to be more liberal and popular (on the basis of some of their tenets) than the Digambaras (stated as conservative).
4. It is only women who undertake religious fasting. Also, it is only the males who participate in bidding.
5. Generally, there is no mention of holy places in terms of salvation and miraculous places. However, Pāvāpura, Sammed Sikhara (and Kailāśa also) find rare mention. Of course, Mt. Abū and Šatruñjaya (Śravanabelagolā also) find mention due to their art/architectural values.
6. Dr. Kaufman has stated that the Jaina images are different from and unattractive than Buddha images. These do not express the compassion and softness on their faces. When they are adored and ornamented, they look fierce.
7. Almost all authors have expressed holy death process as ‘selfstarvation'.
8. The Jainas have abandoned the theory of nakedness for salvation and many Digambaras have adopted clothes as monks.
9. The Jainas do not have harsh spiritual practices like the Hindus. However, the practices of hair plucking, harsh postures, meditation under heat, fastings (Mahāvīra had approx. 4000 fasting days out of 4380 days in 12 years) and the like are extremes and nonconscientious activities. Rev. Murray opines that alms-begging and tasteless foods are also such activities. Conclusion
It will be clear from the above as to what type of lop-sided and denatured concepts about Jainism are there in the Western academic world even at the end of 20th century. About 70% basic tenets of Judaism and Christianity are negative in character, but they are not
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
