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Contribution of Jainism to Indian Culture
dāna, i.e. charities. The best forms of charities prescribed by religion are ahara-abhaya-bhaisajyaSastra-dana, i.e. giving food to the hungry and the poor, saving the lives of people in danger, distribution of medicines and spreading knowledge. These charities are called the caturvidha-dana i.e. the fourfold gifts by Jaina religion and it has been enjoined on the householders that they should make special efforts to give these charities to the needy irrespective of caste or creed.
From the beginning, the Jaina householders made it one of their cardinal principles to give these four gifts to all persons who are in need of such help. In fact this help was extended to the protection and well-being of insects, birds and animals also. For this the Jainas established almhouses, rest-houses, dispensaries and educational institutions wherever they were concentrated in good numbers. The annachatralayas, i.e. almhouses, were conducted at pilgrim and other centers for the benefit of poor people. In the dharmaśālas, i.e. rest houses, lodging arrangements were provided without any charges. or at nominal charges at important towns, cities and pilgrim places. The aușadhalayas, i.e. dispensaries, provided free medicines to the afflicted persons. Along with the dispensaries for men, the Jainas conducted special institutions known as panjaraäpols for the protection and care of helpless animals and birds. In unusual times of flood and famine these panjarapols carry out various activities for animal protection. There is hardly any town or village of Gujarat or Rajasthan, where a panjarapola is not present in some form 'or other. To the spread of education the Jainas took a leading part in the education of the masses.
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Various relics show that formerly Jaina ascetics took a great share in teaching children in the southern countries, viz. Andhra, Tamilnadu,. Karnataka and Maharashtra. In this connection Dr. A.S. Altekar rightly observes (in his book. Rastrakutas and their Times) that before the beginning of the alphabet proper the children. should be required to pay homage to the deity Ganesa, by reciting the formula Sri Gaṇeśaya namah, it is natural in Hindu society, but that in the Deccan even today it should be followed by the Jaina formula 'Om namah siddham', it shows that the Jaina leaders of medieval age had so completely controlled the mass education that the Hindus continued to teach their children this originally-Jaina formula even after the decline of Jainism. Even now the Jainas have rigorously maintained the tradition by giving freely these Caturvidha-danas, i.e. four types of gifts, in all parts of India. In this manner the legacy of Mahāvīra has been continued to the present day.
Thus there is an immense value attached to this vow of aparigrahaor parigraha-parimāṇafrom social point of view. At the same time this vow has got a great significance in preparing a proper mental attitude towards material possessions, in forming a true scale of values, and in developing a right sense of proportion for individual possessions. This vow emphasizes that one should not feel too much attachment towards his own possessions and should resist all temptations. Similarly, all other vows like truth, non-violence, non-stealing and celibacy play an important role to regulate one's like ethical and cultured.
Thus, Jainism has contributed a lot to the Indian culture by his unparalled principles and way of life.
