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summoning the leaders of both sects before him declared that no difference could be made between them and ordained that they should each pursue their own religious practices with equal freedom.
The varied activities of a large number of eminent Jaina saints contributed to the continuation of Jaina community for a long period because these activities produced a deep impression upon the general public regarding the sterling qualities of Jaina saints. They were mainly responsible for the spread of Jainism all over India. The chronicles of Ceylon attest that Jainism also spread in Ceylon. As regards the South India it can be maintained that the whole of it in ancient times was strewn with small groups of learned Jaina ascetics who were slowly but surely spreading their morals through the inedium of their sacred literature composed in the various vernaculars of the country. These literary and missionary activities of the Jaina saints ultimately helped the Jainas in South India to strengthen their position for a long time in the face of Hindu revival. Even in political matters the Jaina saints were taking keen interest and guiding the people whenever required. It has been evident that the Gangas and the Hoyasalas were inspired to establish new kingdoms by the Jaina Ācāryas. Along with the carrying of these scholastic, missionary and political activities, the Jaina Ācāryas tried to excel in their personal accomplishments also. Naturally princes and people alike had a great regard for the Jaina saints in different parts of the country. Even the muslim rulers of Delhi honoured and showed reverence to the learned Jaina saints of North and South India. It is no wonder that the character and activities of such influential Jaina saints created an atmosphere which helped to lengthen the life of Jaina community.
A minority community for its continued existence has always to depend on the goodwill of the other people and that goodwill could be persistently secured by performing some benevolent activities. The Tainas did follow and are still following this path of attaining the goodwill of all people by various means like educating the ating the pain and misery of people by conducting several types of charitable institutions. From the beginning the Jainas made it one of their cardinal principles to give the four gifts of food, protection, medicine and learning to the needy (ähāra abhaya-bhaişajya-śāstra-däna)-irrespective
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