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Muni
Tarun Sagar ji
&
Muni Pragyasagar ji |
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JAINISM |
What
is Jainism?
Jainism is nature in the purest and truest
form. Jainism is as old as nature, which
has neither beginning nor any end. 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 emphasises
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).
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Founder
About 2600 years ago Lord Mahavir
or Vardhaman (599 to 527 BC), the twenty
fourth and the last Tirthankara of this
era revived the Jain philosophy previously
preached by his predecessor Lord Parshva
(950 to 850 BC) in India. He expanded the
code of conducts and implemented daily rites
for his followers. He felt that such changes
are essential for proper religious practice.
The present Jain scriptures reflect only
his teachings.
Mahavir was a prince and
his childhood name was Vardhaman. Being
the son of a king, he had many worldly pleasures,
comforts, and services at his command, but
at the age of thirty he left his family
and royal household, gave up his worldly
possessions, and become a monk in search
of a solution to eliminate pain, sorrow,
and suffering from life.
Mahavir spent the next
twelve and one half years in deep silence
and meditation to conquer his desires, feelings,
and attachments. He carefully avoided harming
other living beings including animals, birds,
insects, and plants. He also went without
food for long periods of time. He was calm
and peaceful against all unbearable hardships.
During this period, his spiritual powers
fully developed and he realized perfect
perception, perfect knowledge, perfect power,
and total bliss. This realization is known
as kreview-jnan or the perfect enlightenment.
Mahavir spent the next
thirty years travelling barefoot around
India preaching the eternal truth he realized.
The ultimate objective of his teaching is
how one can attain total freedom from the
cycle of birth, life, pain, misery, and
death, and achieve the permanent blissful
state of one's self. This is also known
as liberation, nirvana, absolute freedom,
or Moksha.
At the age of 72 (527 BC),
Lord Mahavir attained nirvana (death) and
his purified soul left his body and achieved
complete liberation. He became a Siddha,
a pure consciousness, a liberated soul,
living forever in a state of complete bliss.
On the night of his nirvana, people celebrated
the Festival of Lights (Dipavali) in his
honor. This is the last day of the Hindu
and Jain calendar year.
In summary, Jainism existed before Lord
Mahavir, and his teachings were based on
those of his predecessors. Thus Mahavir
was more of a reformer and propagator of
an existing religious order than the founder
of a new faith. He followed the well-established
creed of his predecessor Tirthankar. However,
he did reorganize the philosophical tenets
and codes of conduct to correspond to his
time.
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Navkar
Mantra |
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Namokar Mantra |
Namo
Arihantanam
I bow to the enlightened souls |
Namo
Siddhanam
I bow to the liberated souls |
Namo
Ayariyanam
I bow to religious leaders |
Namo
Uvajjhayanam
I bow to religious teachers |
Namo
Loye Savva Sahunam
I bow to all monks of the world |
Eso
Panch Namukkaro
These five salutations are capable of |
Savva
Pavappanasano
destroying all the sins and this is |
Mangalanam
Cha Savvesim
the first happiness among all forms |
Padhamam
Havai Mangalam
of happiness... |
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