Notes on Modern Jainism

Author(s): Mrs Sinclair Stevenson
Publisher: Oxford

Page 56

MODERN JAINISM.
to mankind was that Kurma was of far greater importance
than caste. If this were ever the case, Caste.
the message has lost its power now, for the Jaina are perhaps the most caste-ridden people in India.* Some years ago it was commonly believed by European scholars that both Buddhism and Jainism were revolts against the tyranny of caste in general, but unfortunately they seem to have been merely revolts of the higher castes against Brahmanic exclusiveness, which shut the door of the highest ās'rama against all but Brāhman ascetics.
Dr. Bühlert says that “the characteristic feature of this religion is its claim to universality, which it holds in common with Buddhism and in opposition to Brahmanism. It also declares its object to be to lead all men to salvation, and to open its arms-not only to the noble Aryan, but also to the low-born Sudra and even to the alien, deeply despised in India, the Mlechha." If it ever had such kindly feeling to the low castes, Jainism now most effectually“ dissembles its love." At two of the great centres of Jaina pilgrimage, Mt. Abu and Girnār, I was assured that no low caste would be allowed to enter their temples to worship. And today, when all that is most generous and enlightened in young India is longing to free itself from the huge incubus of caste that is thwarting all true development, not one of the Jaina associations dare put on the programme of its Conference any motion in favour of the relaxation of caste restrictions.
* Imperial Gazetteer of India. Vol. I. p. 416. + The Indian sect of the Jainas. p. 3.
A Parsi who some years ago became a Jaina was for long not allowed to enter their temples to worship, and even now no Jaina can eat with him.