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104 : Sramaņa, Val 62, No. 4, Oct.-Dec. 2011 Writing Commentaries on Non-Jaina works: Jaina Ācāryas have written about 450 commentaries, listed so far in different manuscript catalogues, mostly on the important works of Vedic tradition and a few also on the texts of Buddhist tradition. Keeping in mind the scenario where the practice of writing of commentaries on the works of other tradition is extremely rare, this gesture of Jaina authors is simply commendable. Nothing but an open mind approach towards learning might have convinced them to undertake this sort of writing. This trend was set by two distinguished Jaina Ācāryas Mallavādi (c.5th cent. AD) and Haribhadra (c. 7th cent.AD). The former commented on the Buddhist work Nyāyabindu of Dharmakīrti and the latter Nyāyapraveśasūtra of Dinnāga. Since then a number of prominent non- Jaina works belonging to the genre of epics, lyrics, drama, prose works, campū, śataka, hymns, prosody, poetics, grammar, lexicon, astrology, mathematics, Āyurveda, philosophy etc. have been commented by Jaina Ācāryas. The works of great poets like Kālidāsa, Bhāravi, Māgha, Śrīharșa, Amarsingh, Mammața,etc. found favour with JainaAcaryas. This generosity shown by
Jaina Ācāryas is unparalleled in world history. It is undoubtedly the outcome of their tolerant attitude towards other religions.
Due Importance to Temporal Duties:
Jaina religion accords due importance to the duties (dharma)towards society and nation side by side religious affairs. Lord Mahāvīra has expounded ten duties dharmas in the third Angatext Sthānārgasūtra", namely:1.Duties towards village (Grāmadharma), 2. Duties towards city (Nagardharma),3.Duties towards nation (Rāșțradharma), 4.Pākhandadharma, 5. duties towards family and lineage (kuladharma),6. Ganadharma,7. Sanghadharma, 8. Śrutadharma, 9. Cāritradharma, 10. Āstikāyadharma. This may be interpreted as an instruction of Mahāvīra that traditions, customs, rules and overall interest and welfare of family, village, city, republic, nation, etc should be given due consideration. This commendable approach of
