Jaina Community A Social Survey

The book "Jaina Community: A Social Survey" by Vilas A. Sangave is a comprehensive sociological study of the Jain community in India. The book, first published in 1959 and revised in 1980, aims to provide a systematic analysis of the Jaina community's social institutions, customs, manners, and contemporary issues.

Here's a summary of the key aspects covered in the book:

1. Historical Context and Identity:

• The book establishes Jainism as an ancient religion with a distinct philosophy, ethical code, and sacred literature, separate from Hinduism.
• It highlights the historical presence and contributions of Jains to Indian art, architecture, logic, philosophy, language, and education.
• It acknowledges the efforts made by Jain scholars to preserve and propagate their religious texts and traditions.

2. Demographics and Population:

• The book analyzes the Jaina population in India based on census data, noting its relatively small size compared to other major religious communities.
• It details the growth trends of the Jaina population, including periods of decline and increase, and discusses the factors influencing these variations.
• It provides information on the regional distribution of the Jaina population, noting their concentration in Western India (Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh) and their sparse presence in Eastern India.
• The rural-urban distribution is examined, showing Jainas as an essentially urban-dwelling community.
• The sex distribution is analyzed, highlighting a deficiency of females in the Jaina population compared to some other religious communities.
• Age distribution, fertility, and longevity are also discussed based on available census data.
• The chapter on population also delves into the complexities of census enumeration, particularly regarding the Jaina identity and its distinction from Hinduism.

3. Religious and Social Divisions:

• A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the internal divisions within the Jaina community.
• It outlines the historical schism that led to the formation of the two main sects: Digambaras (sky-clad) and Svetāmbaras (white-robed).
• It details the various major and minor sub-sects that emerged within both the Digambara and Svetambara traditions, such as Bisapanthis, Terapanthis, Taranapanthis among Digambaras, and Murtipujakas, Sthanakavasis, and Terapanthis among Svetambaras.
• The book extensively discusses the Jaina caste system, noting its social, rather than religious, origins. It highlights the large number of castes and sub-castes, their regional distribution, and the absence of a strict hierarchical order as seen in Hinduism.
• It examines the inter-relations between castes, particularly concerning inter-dining and inter-marriage, noting the general endogamy within castes and sub-castes, but also the evolving trends and regional variations.
• The role of caste Panchayatas in regulating social and religious life, their declining influence, and discussions on their reform or abolition are presented.
• It describes Jaina festivals and fasts, distinguishing between those observed exclusively by Jainas (like Paryushana, Mahavir Jayanti) and those celebrated in common with Hindus but with different interpretations (like Diwali, Rakshabandhan).

4. Marriage and Position of Women:

• The book thoroughly explores the institution of marriage among Jainas, discussing its objectives, forms, qualifications of partners, age of marriage, and choice of partners.
• It notes the historical prevalence of Svayamvara and Anuloma marriages, and how these evolved over time with greater restrictions.
• The book details marriage preliminaries, ceremonies, consummation, polygyny (allowed but declining), and dissolution of wedlock.
• It analyzes the position of women in Jaina society, highlighting their religious freedom to enter ascetic orders, their social and legal rights, including property inheritance and maintenance, and their participation in education and even political activities.
• While acknowledging some patriarchal influences and rigorous discipline for female ascetics, the book suggests that Jaina women generally held a better position compared to women in some other Indian communities, particularly in terms of religious and legal rights.

5. Jaina Ethics, Customs, and Beliefs:

• The book delves into the core principles of Jainism, including the dual nature of personality (material and spiritual), the concept of Karma, and the goal of Moksha (liberation).
• It explains the Jaina philosophy based on the seven tattvas (realities) and the importance of Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct (Ratnatraya) for achieving salvation.
• The ethical code is presented, emphasizing the Guptis (control of mind, speech, body), Samitis (carefulness), Dharma (observances), Anuprekshas (meditations), Parishaha-jaya (subdual of sufferings), and Charitra (conduct).
• The paramount importance of Ahimsa (non-violence) is highlighted as the central tenet of Jaina ethics, influencing all aspects of life, including food, dress, and daily practices.
• It discusses Jaina worship, including the Pañcha Parameshthins (Siddha, Arhat, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu) as objects of worship and the reverence for Yakshas and Sasanadevatas.
• The book notes the prevalence of idol worship among most Jainas, but also the existence of non-idolatrous sub-sects like Taranapanthis and Sthanakavasis.
• It details various Jaina rites (Samskaras) and their resemblance to Hindu counterparts, while noting key differences in their underlying purpose and observances.
• The book covers Jaina superstitions, acknowledging their presence among the community, often adopted from Hindu practices, but also noting the orthodox Jaina opposition to many of them.
• It describes important Jaina Tirthakshetras (pilgrimage sites) and discusses the significance of visiting them.
• The occupations and professions of Jainas are discussed, highlighting their historical and contemporary involvement in business, finance, and increasingly in various professions.
• The strict vegetarianism and adherence to specific dietary rules based on Ahimsa are explained.
• Jaina dress and ornaments are described as generally conforming to regional customs, with an emphasis on simplicity.
• The linguistic landscape of the Jaina community is explored, noting their use of regional languages and their contribution to them, while Ardhamagadhi and Sanskrit hold special importance for their religious texts.
• The chapter on Jaina institutions covers their diverse charitable, educational, and religious organizations, highlighting their efforts to maintain community cohesion and propagate their faith.

6. Present Problems and the Way Out:

• The book identifies key challenges facing the Jaina community, including the decline in population, the impact of religious and social divisions (sects, sub-sects, castes), and the issue of inter-caste and inter-sect marriages.
• It discusses the practical aspects of Jaina life through a survey based on questionnaires distributed across India, covering aspects like names, occupations, caste organizations, family structures, religious practices, and the role of institutions.
• The book concludes with suggestions for the Jaina community to address these challenges, emphasizing the need for greater unity, reform of social practices, and a renewed focus on religious education to ensure the community's continued existence and prosperity.

In essence, "Jaina Community: A Social Survey" provides a deep dive into the social fabric of the Jain community, tracing its historical trajectory, analyzing its internal structures, and examining the challenges and aspirations of its members in the mid-20th century.