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a distinct Jaina style of architecture, yet it must be said to their credit that they have produced numerous and finest specimens of architecture in different parts of the country More than any other sect in India the Jainas have displayed theit intense love of the picturesque, while selecting the sites for the construction of their sacred buildings like temple-cities, cave temples, Stupas, pillars and towers The Jainas have erected their temples either on lovely hill tops or in deep and secluded valleys As the Jaina religion considers construction of temples as a meritorious act, the Jainas have constructed an unusually large number of temples throughout India Nearly 90 percent of Jaina temples are the gifts of single wealthy individuals and as such the Jaina temples are distinguished for elaborate detail and exquisite finish Further, the grouping together of their temples into what may be called" Cities of Temples" is a peculiarity which the Jainas have practised to a greater extent than the followers of any other religion in India Such notable temple-cities are found, among other places, at Shatrunjaya or Palitana and Girnara in Gujarata, at Sammeda Shikhar in Bihara, at Sonagırı in Madhya Pradesha, at Muktagiri in Maharashtra, and at Shravanabelgola and Mudabidri in Karnataka
Philosophy
As the Jainism is an original system, quite distinct and independent from all others, the Jainas have developed a separate philosophy which is regarded as a valuable contribution to the Indian Philosophy In philosophy the Jainas occupy a distinct position between the Brahmanic and Buddhist philosophical systems This has been shown very clearly by H Jacobi in his paper on “The Metaphysics and Ethics of the JAINAS” The Jainas call their theory the theory of multiple viewpoints (Anekantavada), in contradistinction to the theory of permanency (Nityavada ) of the Vedanti, and to the theory of transitoriness (Vinashavada) of the Buddhists
Ethical Code.
As the Jainas have evolved a philosophy of their own, they follow a distinct ethical code based on their philosophy The Jaina ethics stands as a class by itself in the sense that it is the only system which is founded on the main principle of Ahimsa It is quite clear that the principle of Ahimsa forms the basis of various rules of conduct prescribed for both the Jaina laymen and ascetics Thus one of the significant contributions of the Jainas is the Ahimsa culture If the Jainas are known for anything, it is for the evolution of Ahimsa culture and it must be said to the credit of the Jainas that they practised and propagated that culture from ancient times The antiquity 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 areas of Karnataka and Gujarata, which are the
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