There is similarity between Jainism and Hinduism and many of its principles are also accepted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this has been said by Swastishree Ravindrakirti Swami, the head and president of the big idol of Lord Rishabhdev Digambar Jain Temple in Ayodhya. He says that Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepts the ideas of Anuvrata, Mahavrata and Panchsheel of Jain Tirthankaras. Because many times in his speeches he has talked about following truth, non-violence, celibacy, barasteya and aparigraha. Which means that there is similarity between Jainism and Hinduism. Rabindrakirti Swami, in response to a question, said that there is an old relationship between Ayodhya and Ikshvaku dynasty. Everyone knows that Lord Shri Ram was born here, but the five Tirthankaras in Jainism, Rishabhdev, Ajit Nath, Abhinandan Das, Sumatinath, Anantnath are also related to this lineage and place.
He told that the first Tirthankar of Jainism Rishabhdev, second Tirthankar Ajit Nath, fourth Tirthankar Abhinandan Das, fifth Tirthankar Sumatinath and 14th Tirthankar Anantnath were also born in Ayodhya. According to Jain Purana, Rishabhdev, son of Nabhiraya of Jain religion, had 101 sons. The name of his eldest son was Bharat and after his name this land was called India.
On the importance of Ayodhya, he said that Ayodhya has equal importance in Jainism as it has in Sanatan religion. Because the five Tirthankaras of Jainism were born in Ayodhya and Rishabhdev was also the first king of Ayodhya.
Rabindrakirti Swami, while discussing the similarity between Sanatan’s Shri Ram and Jain Tirthankaras, said that Shri Ram and Jain Tirthankaras also have the similarity of being Kshatriyas of the Ikshvaku dynasty. Shri Ram is counted among the 63 Shalaka men of Jainism. Lord Shri Ram is counted in the category of Balabhadra, who was born in Ayodhya nine lakh years ago.
In response to another question, he said that Sanatani Shri Ram and 99 crore Jain monks attained salvation from Mangi Tungi (Maharashtra). According to Jain Puranas, the footprints of Shri Ram are in Mangi Tungi, whose worship is prescribed. The texts in this religion have also been composed like those of Jain Tirthankaras and sages. Param Purana has been composed only for the description of Shri Ram. Paumachari in Prakrit language has been composed to describe Shri Ram and Sita.
He further said that we consider Shri Ram and Sita as Jain sages. The belief of Lord Shri Ram attaining salvation in Mangi Tungi is found in Jain texts.
On the question of whether Jainism should be considered a part of Sanatan, he said that Tirthankar does not come in this worldly world. One can become a Tirthankara only after attaining virtue. Again 24 Tirthankaras will be born in the fourth period. In Jainism, there are discussions about these ideas by Baldev, Vasudev and Prativasudev. But there is definitely equality between Sanatan and Jainism.
He has described Jain and Vedic as Shaddarshan. Since Shaddarshan is eternal. All the religions that originated in India are Sanatani. Despite all this, Jainism is an independent religion.
