Jain Samaj Ki Ekta Samasya Evam Samadhan

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Jain Samaj ki Ekta Samasya evam Samadhan" by Prakash Kavadiya, based on the provided pages:

The book "Jain Samaj ki Ekta Samasya evam Samadhan" (Unity of the Jain Community: Problems and Solutions) by Prakash Kavadiya, emphasizes the paramount importance of unity and organization for the progress and well-being of any society, and specifically addresses the challenges faced by the Jain community in this regard.

The Core Argument for Unity:

The author begins by asserting that "strength lies in organization." This is presented as a fundamental principle for every society and every endeavor. Unity allows for the easy resolution of even the most challenging tasks. The analogy of one person versus two highlights how unity multiplies strength, transforming the seemingly impossible into the achievable. The metaphor of individual flowers versus a garland formed by stringing them together illustrates how collective action and unity bestow beauty and significance.

The text defines unity simply as "one with many," stating that immense power is inherent in organization. The advancement of any society is directly tied to its unity. A disunited society, historically and currently, cannot develop and is often disregarded. For social progress and to address societal needs, organization is crucial. When the underlying intention of an organization is clear, it plays a significant role in achieving goals and unifying people's thoughts. The analogy of lifting an object with multiple fingers instead of just one further underscores the necessity of collective effort.

The author states that disunity within a family renders it insignificant, and similarly, unity is essential for the progress of neighborhoods, communities, and the nation.

The Problems (Samasya) Facing Jain Unity:

The book then delves into the critical issues hindering unity within the Jain community.

• Lack of Unity in Basic Observances: A significant concern is the inability of Jains to unite even for celebrating the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, their spiritual leader. Different sects celebrate these festivals in their own ways, indicating a widespread problem.
• Sectarian Divisions and Contradictory Interpretations: The author highlights the absurdity of fragmentation within Jainism, given that Lord Mahavir did not establish sects like Shvetambar, Sthanakvasi, Terapanthi, Digambar, etc., nor did he differentiate himself as belonging to any specific lineage or practice. The existence of numerous sub-sects, all claiming to follow Mahavir, points to a deep-seated problem of division.
• The Role of Spiritual Leaders: A major root cause of this disintegration is identified as the spiritual leaders themselves. While they are meant to spread Mahavir's message, they prioritize maintaining their own importance by creating and reinforcing their specific sects, sub-sects, and lineages (gachh). They tend to limit their vision and efforts to their own followers, failing to adopt a holistic perspective that would unite the entire Jain community under Mahavir's universal principles. The author criticizes this approach, likening it to small groups creating their own organizations separate from the larger community, thus diminishing their overall impact.
• Conflicting Authority and Interpretations: The lack of unified leadership is evident in the differing interpretations of Mahavir's teachings. One leader might claim Mahavir said one thing, while another asserts a different meaning, leading to confusion and division.
• Analogy to Military Discipline: The text draws a parallel to the military, where soldiers under a commander follow a single order. In contrast, the Jain community suffers from a situation where every saint, leader, and elder considers themselves a commander, leading followers in different directions.
• Disputes over Dates and Practices: The discrepancy in observing important festivals like Samvatsari (one sect observing it on the Chaturthi, another on the Panchami) and the start of Paryushan (differing by a day between sects) further fragments the community. The author questions why celebrating on a different day would invalidate the spiritual significance of these observances.
• Differences in Worship and Practices: The distinction between Digambar Jains performing worship in temples and Shvetambar Jains having different worship methodologies, or Sthanakvasi Jains being non-idol worshippers, are cited as examples of how practices, rather than the core teachings of Mahavir, create divisions. The author questions why these differing practices, which do not alter Mahavir's identity, lead to the fragmentation of activities in his name.
• Hindrance to Social Relations: The text points out that schisms between Digambar, Shvetambar, Sthanakvasi, Terapanthi, and other sects create hesitation in social interactions, including the formation of relationships and marriage alliances.
• Distortion of the Navkar Mantra: Even the sacred Navkar Mantra has been subject to minor alterations and distortions by different groups.
• Diminished Community Strength: The Jain community, already smaller in number compared to other communities, becomes almost negligible when divided into numerous sects. The author notes that issues affecting one sect are often resolved within that sect, with no broader community involvement or unity.
• The Ego of Leaders: The primary reason for these differences is identified as the ego of leaders who seek to maintain their own importance and the number of their followers. They use the propagation of Mahavir's virtues as a means to bolster their personal standing rather than to foster true unity.
• Inability to Present a United Front: Despite being a prosperous community, the lack of unity prevents the Jain society from presenting a cohesive and influential presence in national discourse, whether politically, socially, or culturally. This disunity impedes the community's progress and development.

Solutions (Samadhan) for Jain Unity:

The book proposes several actionable solutions to overcome these challenges:

1. Local Level Unity in Celebrations: Every Jain, regardless of their sect (Sthanakvasi, Shvetambar, Digambar, Terapanthi), should participate in all community programs and festivals in their respective cities, towns, and villages together. This will foster inter-sect understanding and pave the way for broader unity.
2. Spiritual Leaders' Collective Responsibility: Spiritual leaders, saints, and monks from all Jain sects must convene and deliberate on the overall development of the Jain community. They should actively work to bind the entire community together, rather than focusing solely on penance, vows, festivals, temple consecrations, or increasing their follower count. They must abandon the practice of merely expanding their own sects and followers, as continued division will lead to the community's decline.
3. Role of Social Organizations: All existing social organizations within the Jain community should actively engage in promoting unity and should direct their activities towards preventing societal disintegration. Their volunteers can play a crucial role in safeguarding the community.
4. Cultivating a Sense of Shared Identity: Every Jain should view their birth into the Jain lineage as fortunate and cultivate the mindset that all Jains are brothers and are one. They should recognize that there are no fundamental differences and that all are followers of Lord Mahavir.
5. Unifying Observance Dates: Saints should collectively decide on a single date for observances like Samvatsari and Mahavir Jayanti and announce it to the entire Jain community across India. If the spiritual leaders fail to do this, local Jain communities should come together and collectively decide to observe these festivals on the same day. The author advocates for initiating this change from the local level, stating, "If we improve, the era will change." He emphasizes that if the saintly community does not lead this change, the community members must. Followers have a right to influence their leaders' decisions regarding unity.
6. Self-Identification as Jain: During every census, individuals should identify themselves as Jain, reinforcing the internal realization of being Jain and the concept of Jain unity.
7. Active Role of Apex Organizations: Organizations like the Bharat Jain Mahamandal, Akhil Bharatiya Jain Sangh, and similar bodies should become more active. They should establish branches in every city, town, and village, encouraging the younger generation to become members. By fostering unity among the youth and planting seeds of reconstruction, they can help "flowers of unity" bloom.

The book concludes with a call to action, urging every Jain to take a pledge to work for the unity of the Jain community. The ultimate goal is to spread the message and principles of Lord Mahavir and Jainism worldwide, leading the world to recognize that global welfare is possible through the teachings of Jainism and Mahavir.