Pristine Jainism

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 99

(96) : Pristine Jainism
capabilities differ from person to person and accordingly the opportunities can be availed or ignored. Some are so determined that they even modify and subvert adverse social and physical environment, strive hard and achieve the desired success, Such personalities are very few like Tīrthankaras. Generally innate capabilities manifest, get modified according to ambient environment. There are examples of human children, somehow strayed in the company of wild animals adopting the habits and manners of animals in whose company they are brought up. Very recently a child rescued from the company of monkeys was found to behave walk, eat like monkeys and with difficulty he is being gradually trained into human behaviour.
Paradoxical though it is, the Indian scientists, engineers, doctors etc work excellently in foreign countries U.S.A., U.K., Canada, Australia but not here in the country because of the system, environment and opportunities. As a general rule for average innate capabilities, congenial environment is necessary. There are exceptions but they are rare. There are numerous examples of youth, though brought up in ideal Jaina environment and cultural conditioning, going astray and succumbing to vices of wine, drugs, meat, gambling, prostitution under the changed environment in academic and more so in professional colleges. What could not be imagined just 6-7 decades back that a person born and brought up in a Jaina family would ever be prey to vices, is now common and it is now difficult to find a bride groom professional engineer or doctor or senior executive who is free from vices. The reason is simple. The environment particularly in professional educational institutions and then professions also is so ostentatious and consumerist that even good youngsters fall prey or forced to be by fellow students and colleagues. The trend is growing alarmingly and if not checked by proper corrective measures, there will hardly be any left who will follow even basic minimum fundamental Jaina tenets.
Jains are trying for minority status and some states have already recognised it. If it is accorded all over India, then Jains will be able to