Contribution of Jainism

                     Contribution of Jainism

The contribution of Jainism in the field of art and literature is unique. It has not only affected the day-to-day life of a man, but has its own philosophy. The principle of simple living and high thinking can easily be applicable to the monks and the followers of Jainism.

Jain Literature:Jain literature is quite extensive,their contribution 

to the development of language and literature is considerable. The 

whole of Jain literature was written in Prakrit,Magadhi and Apabhransha languages so that the people well versed in these languages could understand it well. Hemachandra, Haribhadra, Siddha Sena etc. are the famous writers of Jain literature. The chief subjects of Jain writers are religion,philosophy,grammar and mathematics.It is very fast and full of knowledge. The vernaculars also flourished due to composition of Jain literature in the dialects.

Ahimsa: Non-violence has a very important position in Jain religion. In Indian culture fasting and non-violence have been momentous, but in Jainism they reached a high point.Neither any insects, nor animal nor any human beings should be injured or hurt either with thought, word or deed.                                                       In Jainism speaking ill of others, false implication, dishonest behavior and rebuking others are included in violence.It was due to the principle of Ahimsa that with the passage of time the vogue of animal sacrifice and bloodshed. Owning to the influence of Jainism people stopped taking meat,thus the theory of non-violence turned the people into vegetarians.

Theory of Karma:The doctrine of Karma was recognized in India even in the ancient times but the followers of Jainism made it so simple and scientific that everybody knew its intrinsic value. The good deeds and action are the only source of getting salvation from the cycles of births and deaths. The bad deeds of a person are factor of causes in his relegation to next lower birth. Hence, one should always perform good deeds (sad Karmas) in order to save oneself from sufferings in the life to come. Jainism has also prescribed right faith, right knowledge and right conduct for the spiritual advancement of individual.In case, an Individual acts on these three principles, he will certainly do good deeds and achieve salvation.

Jain Philosophy:In Jain philosophy the living and the non-living come in close contact with each other. Reasoning in Indian philosophy is the contribution of Jainism.

Art: Jainism has contributed a lot to the development of Arts such as, temples,statues and stone pillars.He also used to stupas in honor of their saints which were decorated nicely.The statue of 17.36 m. high Gomteshwar in Shravanbelgolas is finest sculpture and Jain temple of Abu is also unique in construction.The special feature of architecture is that it does not provoke senses and they used golden and bright color. The Jain also interested in to construct other building like high towers, rest houses etc.

Social Reforms: Jainism is not one of the chief religions of India,it is an absolute fact that since the time of its inception, it has never been extinguished from the Indian soil.The Jain had no faith in caste system and by their liberal ideologies they freed the society from orthodox rituals.They stressed good moral character to achieve Moksha.