Introduction
Jain religion is a very old religion. Its
followers believe that Jainism is an “Anadi Anant” religion. Anadi
means one which has no starting and Anant means which has no ending.
Jainism is a pre-aryan religion which is preached by the
Tirthankaras (Gods). Jains believe that in every Kal (Period or
Cycle of Time), there are 24 Tirthankaras. In the present Kal,
Bhagwan Rishabhnath was the first Tirthankara and Bhagwan Mahaveer was
the 24th Tirthankara. The five ethics of Jainism are – Ahimsa
(non-violence), Satya (pursuit of truth), Asteya (non-stealing and
honesty), Aparigraha (non-possession and non-attachment) and
Brahmacharya (celibacy). These are also called the five Vratas.
A distinction is drawn between these ethics or
Vratas for the ascetic (Saints or Muni) and for the layman (sravak). The
saints have to practice the Vratas rigorously. But the sravakas have
to and can practice with lesser degree.
Ahimsa (non-violence) is the most important principle of
the Jainism. Ahimsa is non-injury, physical and mental. One should
not hurt another in body, mind and speech, one should avoid directly
causing injury to a living being, one should not cause others to commit
injury, nor should one consent to the causing of injury. Injury is
the hurt caused to a living being intentionally, through negligence or
under the impulses and emotional stress. Another important fundamental
concept of Jainism is Anekanta.
It states that reality is complex. It can be
looked at from different point of views. Each point of view gives
the picture of reality which is as valid and real as the picture of
reality received from other point of view. Jainism has contributed to
the philosophy of life in its insistence that the pathway to perfection
is threefold. Samyak-Darshana (right faith/right understanding)
Samyak-Jnana (Right knowledge) and Samyak – Charitra (right conduct).
Jiyo Aur Jine Do (live and let lived) is the main slogan of Jainism
which was given by Bhagwan Mahaveer about two thousand five hundred
years ago.
There are two main branches of Jainism – Digamber and
Swetamber. Digamber word comprises Dig (Disha/direction) and Amber
(cover/sky). It means only directions are the cover/clothes
i.e. without clothes. They worship idols of Tirthankara
bearing no clothes. Their saints also do not wear any cloth.
Swetamber word comprises swet (white) and Amber (cover/sky). Their
idols and saints wear white clothes.
Sammed Shikharji (Bihar), Kailash Parwat (a peak of
Himalaya), Champapur (Bihar), Girnar (Gujrat) and Pavapur (Bihar) are
the most religious places form were Tirthankaras have attained Nirvan.
Other important Jain pilgrimage centres are Shravanabelgola,
Palitana, Khajuraho, Karkal, Rajgir, Banaras, Moodbidri, Dharmsthal,
Hastinapur, Mount Abu, Chittorgarh etc. Jain Darshan is very rich in
Granthas, old manuscripts, literature, orators. Large number of
saints have guided to the Jain followers for simple and religious
living. Some of the most respected living saints are Acharya
Vidhya Sagarji, Acharya Vardhman Sagarji, Acharya Bharat Sagarji,
Acharaya Mahapragyaji, Acharya Ashokchandra Surishwarji, Achrarya
Devendra Muniji, Sadhvi Vishudhmatiji, Sadhvi Gyanmatiji, Sadhvi
Maniprabhaji, Bhattarak Charukirti Swamiji etc.
Jain religion recognizes the fundamental natural
phenomenon of Symbiosis or mutual dependence, which forms the basis of
the modern day science of ecology.
Life is viewed as a gift of togetherness, accommodation, and assistance
in a universe teeming with interdependent constituents.
Jain whether monks, nuns or householders, therefore,
affirm prayerfully and sincerely, that their heart is filled with
forgiveness for all living beings and that they have sought and received
the forgiveness of all beings, that they crave the friendship of all
beings, that all beings give them their friendship and that there is not
the slightest feeling of alienation or enmity in their heart, for any
one or anything. They also pray that forgiveness and friendliness may
reign throughout the world and that all living beings may cherish each
other.
What is Jainism?
Jainism is nature in the purest and truest form. The
mission of Jainism is the mission of nature, which is to work for the
welfare of one and all, to rise from the pitfall of ignorance and
inaction to the spiritual climax of infinite bliss and perfect
knowledge. i.e. absolute freedom.
Jainism is a religion based on cosmic principles,
eternal principles on which this colossal machinery runs without any
mistake or even a single momentary halt. The principles of modern
science are true and temporary in particular context of space and time
only, but the principles of Jainism are true for all time, for all
space, for everybody and everything. Jainism throws light on the
colossal structure of universe, its shape, size, origin, purpose and
mechanism. It deals in perfect details with six reals out of which the
universe is made. Everything that happens in the universe is according
to the fixed pattern of eternal laws, which are unshakable and
infallible.
Jainism does not belong to any particular sect or fixed
dogmas. Jainism does not say that some particular class will be given
freedom and the others will remain in bondage, it is a perfect form of
democracy. It emphasizes equality of opportunities to achieve perfect
freedom and spiritual perfection, be it a highborn or any backward class
member, even the lowest form of life. Each one has the potentiality of
reaching the highest state. It believes that every soul has immense
power, which can be released like the nuclear energy.
Jainism believes there are two kinds of energies, one is
the energy of mechanism and the other is the energy of intelligence. In
technical terms they are called matter and life. (Jada and Chetana).
Energies of gravitation, magnetism and electricity are believed to be
three scientific forces, which sustain the universe. But the subtle
forces of silence and solitude, of surrender and prayer, of love and
sympathy, of dedication and determination these subtle forces etc., are
manifestation of the energies of intelligence. It is a rule in nature
that subtle forces of Yoga- (The activities of mind, speech and body are
more powerful than the gross forces of material science).
Two kinds of
Energies
"The energy of intelligence not through mind alone,
nor through heart alone but through the whole of your totality in the
highest wisdom" says Jainism. You should distinctly distinguish
between what you are and what you are not. Jainism starts with the Holy
curiosity to know the marvelous structure of reality and ends in the
flawless perfection which is the combination of Joy, Knowledge and
Energy.
The Fundamentals of Jain Philosophy are that (this
universe) the whole cosmos is self-created, self ruled, self regulated
and self-administered, according to the mighty and eternal cosmic law.
Every conceivable subject in Jain Scriptures is well discussed in a
systematic and convincing way that one would realize that if the Jain
Doctrines are well understood and practiced, it is certain that the
world will enjoy lasting peace and prosperity instead of present day,
world of hatred and violence!
Practically all religions have individuals as Supreme
God. Jain religion believes that all worldly souls possess inherent
attributes (principle qualities) 4 original - infinite knowledge,
Infinite Cognizance, Infinite Power, but worldly souls are obscured by
the veil of Karmas and when liberated they can reach the highest state.
The word 'Dharma':- some aspects...
1. Ordinarily it means 'Pious Act
2. Dharma - Duty : towards others, elders, dependents, sub-ordinates,
society, country etc.
3. Dharma - Nature :
Nature of fire is to burn
Nature of water is to cool
Nature of soul is conscience, sentient, immortality,
infinite knowledge, perception, energy, bliss, longs to be purified, to
rise upward to Moksha- Eternal salvation.
4. Dharma -Religion : That saves one from sinking in the
temporal ocean of births and deaths (Samsar). Religion consists of Dana,
Sheel, Tapa, Bhava. (Charity, Chastity, Penance and Intention.)
The highest Charity is to give freedom from fear -the
fear of death, injury, torture, hurt, oppression, etc. Chastity means
complete control of impure desires of five senses and mind including
celibacy. Penance is of twelve kinds to purify the soul from all Karmic
energies. Intention means all of the above mentioned three should be
with soul aim/ intent of achieving the spiritual zenith.
5. Dharma- Spiritual: Samyaka/ Jnana, Darshana and
Charitra (Right & True Knowledge, Faith and Conduct)
6. Dharma - Shramana Dharma (monk hood) having ten fold
(i) Khsama : forgiveness, forbearance.
(ii) Mardava : humbleness, politeness, humility and courtesy
(iii) Arjava : frankness, straight forwardness, deceit less
(iv) Mukti : free from desires, greed and expectations
(v) Tapa : penance of twelve kinds.
(vi) Samyama : to stop all inflow of karmas
(vii) Satya : beneficial, pleasant and well-thought truth, avoiding
untruth.
(viii) Saucha : purity of conduct , to avoid all short-comings.
(ix) Akimchanya : to abstain from wealth and other material desires,
even love and affection of own body.
(x) Bhramcharya : complete celibacy, chastity in thought, word and deed.
Universe
and its constituents
The basis of the constitution of the cosmos lay in the
basic substance called Dravya or Reals in the Jain Holy Scriptures.
Every Real has three characteristics, Creation (emergence), Destruction
(annihilation) and Permanence (persistence) "Utpada, Vyaya and
Dhrouvya" with infinite qualities and subqualities. It means that
every substance possesses the quality of permanence (Dhrouvya)
generation (Utpada) and decay (Vyaya) as modification of itself.
In order to clearly understand the characteristics of
Dhrouvya, we may take an example of gold bangles broken and made into a
necklace with the same gold, the substance persists (Dhrouvya), bangle
is destroyed (Vyaya) and the necklace is created, (Utpada). Every
material object in the same manner is changing constantly. Yet the basic
attribute (Guna), essential character, remains forever.
(referenced from arham.com)
on
Oct-14-2004
