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Appendix XVII
Essence of Jainism*
Jainism is a religion of strict physical, ethical disciplines that lays total stress on the qualities of purity, self-restraint (different from self-control), dispassion, detachment, humanity, chastity, universal love, compassion for all and unlimited kindness.
The religion is not without rituals, ceremonies, worship and prayer. The images of the 24 Tīrtharkaras (Jinas) found in almost all big Jaina temples in India. Lord Mahāvīra the last but foremost in the present era, is specially revered and worshipped. Study of Jaina scriptures is deemed an act of piety and is undertaken during the Paryūšana Parva, which is now progressing.
Important Jaina temples serve as pilgrimage centres of special importance and the Jains visit these holy centres periodically. A saintly life of self-effacement and selfmortification and the virtuous attribute of non-possession (Aparigraha) are given importance in this religion even in today's context of 'possession is my point of the law'.
The Digambara sect (“Dig'- fie, contempt; 'Ambaras' - apparel; those who have scorned everything) of the Jains prefers total nudity. No one should own even a rag of cloth! The Svetāmbaras (“Sveta’ - white) the other sect prefer simple pure white cloth. The Digambaras are rigid diehards in the matter of observing rituals and ceremonies. In essence, however, both the sects subscribe wholeheartedly to the Jaina tenets and codes of conduct.
* The Indian Express, 9 September 1999
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