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Tolerance in Jaina Religion: Through the Ages : 99 characteristic of religion. While expounding the tolerant outlook of the Jainas30, Upādhyāya Yaśovijaya (17th century AD) maintains a true non-absolutist does not look down on my faith but treats all the faiths equally as a father does to his sons, for a non-absolutist does not have any prejudiced and biased outlook. According to him a little knowledge, inducing a person to be impartial is more worthwhile than the unilateral vast knowledge of scriptures. Mutual Cooperation: Innate Nature of Living Beings Through this invaluable saying, Parasparopagrahojīvānām, of Umāsvātī (3rd 4th cent. AD), Jaina tradition proclaims that cooperation and co-existence are the essential nature of living beings. Living on others or killing by others has no place in their ideology, they believe living with others or living for others. Compassion (dayā): the Heart of Religion Religion, according to Jaina Ach.is characterized by compassion. What is compassion?. According to Mahāpurāņa of Jinasena32, dayāprānyanukampānām that is to have anukampā towards living beings is dayā. Ach.Hemacandra” also defines dayāin similar manner, dayābhūtānukampā. He defines dayā as karuņā also34. To be compassionate towards living being is itself religion. This spirit is echoed in a large number of writings of Jaina Ācāryas. The great Ācārya Kundakunda35 defines religion as purified by compassion (dayā) dhammo dayāvisuddho. Ach. Vimalasūri, Jatāsinghnandi, Ach. Jinasena, Svāmī Kārttikeya, Vādībhasingh etc.36 Jaina Ācāryas have categorized compassion as the distinguishing feature of Religion. Non-Violence: Base of Jaina Religion. Social behavioural aspect of Jaina religion is marked by observance of non-violence. In Ācārāngasūtra?? Mahāvīra expounded, the worthy men of past, present and future will say thus, speak thus,
