I happened to meet young Jain students in a meet called Jain Unity Group of city in age group of 20 -30 years.There was a large crowd
In a formal chat with Gurudeo some youths raised some questions-
1-What are different sections of Jainism------?.
2-What are their features and main differences with each other---?.
3-Which is most correct sub-section----------?.
4-Which is best Aacharya of current time----?.
The discussion followed is being summarized in following lines-.
"Friends,your questions and curiosity is natural to your age. There are two main sections of Jainism-Shwetamber ( shwet means white and amber means sky used to replace clothes ) and Digamber .
( dig means without, with no clothes. ).It's Sadhu don't wear cloth.
In Swetamber again there are two main sub-section -Murtipujak-
( worshiping idols in temple ) and Sthanakwasi ( visiting holy place called Sthanak- with no idols or photo.).
Even there are more sub-sections in all the branches of Jainism named with founder Aacharyas. Knowing main features can be sufficient for you. If somebody is going to elaborate more, it can harm basic name of your group i.e. Jain Unity Group.As it create confusion in understandings each other, difficult to change in life.
All differences points will not exceed 15 to 20 points. But these are man made to have smaller manageable groups. Jainism is mainly guidance for salvation of soul. One can carry on with any section one is following. But knowing differences will widen the gap between various sub sections and will create hate and superiority complex in each other. So better to leave the subject as it is.
Naming any one individual as best Aacharya will cause injustice to efforts (Sadhna) of others. They have formulated their salvation path with original Aagams but with own interpretation. So it is always better to study Aagam and know the right path. Any sub-section which advocate keeping away from sins and Mithyatava
( wrong path) is best one. But one has to decide it oneself. One can check if major principals are being taken care to fullest.
Mahaveer Bhagwan himself advocated theory of Anekantwaad. It means- there can be more than one view for each thought. With this principle, we shall learn to respect beliefs of others. Not knowing dispute points, can some time prove to be better form of knowledge. Any one elaborating is making you, biased towards others for ever .Such situation has to be avoided for benefit of soul. There is no need of correcting others. One must respect his faith.
Just ignore what senior generation has done but you can always start with a clean slate and respect all sub branches, Each path may be slightly different but ultimate aim is purification of soul leading to salvation. The basic guidance to each branch is by "Aagam".
In spite of all differences we must respect fundamental common thread binding all of us i.e. Navkarmantra .Jaijinedra , Bhagwan Mahaveerswami and Kewaldyani. So concentrate on main course ignoring small or otherwise difference".-the meeting concluded. I
was relived and admired Gurudeo's broad vision.
.
JAI JINENDRA----------!!!------- JAI MAHVEER------------!!!.
Combination of deeds accumulated and present Karma is basis of results out of Karma theory of Jainism. Karmas play important role in our happiness or misery. Many times ,we get disturbed with our failures.In spite of our efforts expected results are not forthcoming. Delay in marriages,failure in examinations, time taken to get relief from illness,legal hassles and so many other disappointing results
disturb us and we find it difficult to pinpoint the cause.With such disturbed state of mind,we search for the reasons behind the results.
In such events of frustration, we start cursing Karmas unknowingly and loose hope and peace of mind.Why it happened to me-- ? Such
question disturb us and family.Let us study the reasons of such case
Well known Jain Aacharya Shri Siddasen in his book Sanmati Tark has written that combination of five ( Samyayang) is shaping result for any event.They are Kaal ( period ),Swabhav (basic nature ),
Niyati (destiny).Karma and last one Purushartha.( human efforts).
Now let us study combined effect of those five points one by one.
1-Period--Every thing require specified time.For example soul comes to outer world after stay of 9 and 0.25 months in mother's womb, we have mangoes in summer only. An athlete may eager to get gold medal but he has to wait till Olympics or other sport events to take place. Thus particular time is essential to arrive for a result.
2-Nature-- It is original nature of a thing. Thus if one saw seeds in
non fertile land, one can not have tree. Similarly taste of sea water will be always salty while poison will be always a threat to life. Thus every living and non-living things are being characterized by their special feature and inherent quality. Change to it is impossible.
Again for example water and ice can be changed with each other. But check another example. Milk-curd-butter are 3 transformation process. Then one cannot regain milk from butter.The every thing
carry it's specialty or temper which is difficult to get changed.
3-Destiny-- It is being shaped by Karma. We came to a particular decision at a particular time as per destiny.The decision may prove to be correct or wrong though taken most logically and rationally. Destiny is nothing but unfolding of Karma.It is fixed at life fixing time that which Karma will arise in particular life. For all events,there is fixed time as seen by Kewali Bhagwan. It is called Fixed time or predetermined ( Niyat Samay ) time of event happen.
4-Karma--It is the most important and major element-as per Karma doctrine you will get what you have done. Some deeds can give results in current birth and some may require so many cycles of birth and death. Unless one cleared all good and bad deeds salvation is not possible. As per Karma and happiness spread to others- it can make the recipients cause (Nimita ) for our well being or opportunities obtained.Thus Karma is invisible guiding force.
5-Human Efforts--- One has to make best of ability all the time because that is the only thing in hand which one can do. With study
observations,study of Jainism, we can bring desired dimensions to our efforts and will hope to have best ever results. Jainism attach grater importance to this factor, Do not give up shall be the main approach till the results turn in our favor.One has to discharge duty.
So friends do not loose hope ever and continue with your efforts and good deeds. No use of cursing past Karmas,just wake up and start journey with correct knowledge and faith.The destination may
seem to be far away from sight but soon it can be reached-------!!!!.
JAI JINEDRA-----------!!!----------JAI MAHAVEER---------!!!.
Jainism has taught us two small but very powerful words. They are
Kamatkhamna ( forgive me) and Michhami Dukhadam ( sorry and regret). Second one is a request to nullify sins done unknowingly or in absence of control. If these two words are accompanied with the genuine heart feeling, the severity of committed mistakes or sins can be reduced to a great extent. Thus the burden of sins can be reduced.
So many times in anger or misunderstanding we say harsh words to others and hurt their souls. If we can review our actions and offer apology and regret ,we can feel peace and the relations between the two can be restored. With ego one may not go for such apology.
We can study two cases from era of Bhagwan Mahaveer for such incidents. They can definitely bring necessary changes in oneself.
1-Bhagwan Gautamswami and Aanand Shrawak-- Pujya Aannad Shrawak was from Vanijyagramnagari and was devotee of Lord
Mahaveerswami. During his Santhara Gutamswami happened to meet him. In their meeting Shrawak told Guatamswami that he has obtained Awadhidyan and can see all things within a specified area. Guatamaswami told him- yes Shrawak can have it- but doubted the area covered and asked him to say Michhamidukhdam for his false claim. Aanand Srawak refused and told that truth does not need it. On meeting Mahaveerbhagwan Guatamswami narrated the incident to him. Bhagwan told Guatamswami that he is wrong and Annand Shrawak is right .On hearing it immediately Guru Guatmswami met Aanand Shrawak and made Khamatkhamna to him and gave his Michhamidukhdam for mistake done. Guatamswami was principal Gandhar of Mahaveerswami and Sadhu but without delay of a seconds he offered apology to Shravak. The story is given in Aagam Upasakdashangsutra. Anandshrawak got place in first Deolaga and on completing life term he will take birth in Mahavideha and become Siddha, Great person can also review own actions and make the due
correction for it. This is the moral of such case involving own fault.
2-Sadhvi Chandanbala and Sadhvi Mrugawati-------- Both were disciples of Bhagwan Mahaveerswami. Mrugawatiji is junior of the AaryaChandanbalaji. One day Mrugawatiji returned late in evening to Upashray for which Chandanbalaji expressed her unhappiness. In the night when both were lying on bed Mrugawatiji saw huge snake near Chandanbalaji,she immediately warned her and saved her life. Later on surprised Chandanbalaji asked her how she can see the snake in such a darkness ? Most humbly Mrugawatiji told her that with her blessings she has obtained Kevaldyan. On hearing this the immediately Aarya Chandalbalaji realized her mistake and offered unconditional apology for her wrong behavior. Both these Satiyaji obtained Kevaldyan and got salvation, their last dream.
Both above story teach us to review our actions and if found them incorrect offer sorry and regret unconditionally, it can rectify our deeds and reduce bad Karmas associated with it. Both erring parties in above stories were noble souls but how down to earth they were.
On Prayushanparva all Jain make it point to offer these words for their known or unknown misdeeds or mistakes to all living souls. Remember only who have won ego can go ahead with admitting mistakes and offer regret .Let us try to practice it in our own life.
JAIJINENDRA---------!!!--------!!!------JAIMAHAVEER-----!!!.
From childhood many of us have prayed, below mentioned prayer.
With it we express our respect for Guru. We look at Guru as guide to assist us to have Moksha. Can Guru alone can save us ? Then many cases come up in mind. Let us think and find through this platform.
First it depends on our quality of self grasping. Secondly it is also dependent on qualities of Guru selected for our spiritual guidance.Guru's preaching can be classified in following three major category. Humanity service preaching, second-soul purification preaching and third can be mixed preaching. Jain Guru can assist in soul discovery.
All human have great respect for teachers since they mold our lives. Nobody will like to hear any thing against their choice. Jain Guru are meant to preach soul purification path as Jinwani to their followers. Jain Guru are monks who have taken Dikha for attaining salvation.
They can be Aacharya, Upadhyaji or Sadhus living life as Jinwani.
Every body can not be as fortunate as Guru Guatamswami who got Mahaveer Bhagwan as his Guru. With him as Guru-- both attained salvation with status as -Siddha. Now let us check practical situation.
Unless Guru is following exact path laid down by Mahaveer-Swami he cannot preach the path to us. Wrong Guru (Kuguru) can increase one's cycle of life and death. Hence one must take care if his guide, himself is walking on correct path and taking them on correct path -?
Conduct of Jain Guru is being specified by Bhagwan in Aagaams Uttaradhyan, Aacharang, Nishidsutra, Dashwekalik. We can refer it.Senior generation may not found it suitable to review conduct of the Guru selected due to faith and respect for white clothes. But since in current time under pretext of Darvya, Kshetra, Kaal, Samay Bhava, some relax attitude is being observed in few Sadhus. It is termed as Shithilachari. (easy going) I will like young followers of Jainism to take care for following check points. Bhagwan has told that not taking Diksha is not a big issue but after taking Diksha not to follow Jinwani and mislead masses is a big crime Point list is not exclusive.
1-Is he is taking care in his conduct to protect 6 Kaya lives by not using vehicles, mobile. A.C. fans, speakers, and other luxuries---- ?
2-Is he visiting home to home to collect his food called Gochari and not taking food prepared for him in public kitchen or in lunch box ?. He has detailed guidelines by Bhagwan Mahaveer for following it.
3-Is he keeping safe distance from money and opposite gender.----?
4-Is he making sufficient travel known as Vihar in rest of 8 months apart from Chaturmas and not sticking to one place for reasons other than physical disability or justified medical ground as per Aagam.
5-Is he treating all followers equally irrespective of their status-- ?.If one's Jainism branch wise beliefs are different for conduct of it's Sadhus then please ignore these points. They may have it different.
Parent must check these points of a group before Diksha of their kid, child in particular group for better religious practice and Moksh path.Our selected guide and Sadhus must possess 27 virtues as given in Pratikamansutra. Otherwise the purpose of Diksha will not be served.
These are few fundamental rules Sadhus are expected to follow. Many are following it to core, but we have to find out exceptions and odd one. So with these check points one can decide to continue with existing Guru. Points can help devotees for betterment of soul.
Always avoid not to go for personification any one since nobody is above Bhagwan Mahaveer. Guru is a tool to reach to Pancharmesthi.
Interesting point in this regard as told by Bhagwan is to be noted that only dress or Diksha can not be a guarantee of salvation, it must be followed by correct knowledge, faith and conduct otherwise Sadhu not following it ,have more cycles of life and death in 4 Gati than us.
I cannot comment on Sadhus other than Jain since I am not in touch with them. But if present scams in India by so called God men is seen it gives the impression that spirituality is becoming a gloominggrowing industry to cash innocence and faith of ordinary lay men.
They are building empires of crores based on their knowledge and oratory skills. One must keep safe distance from them at any cost.
It is always better to do charity directly than to offer it to such Kuguru. They can spread light but with darkness inside. Even if you are unable to find right Sadhu, then turn to holy books of Aagams. They can offer you best guidance for ever to get early salvation.
JAI-JINERDA-----------!!!---------JAI-MAHAVEER---------!!!.
- Bhagwan Mahaveerswami prescribed four paths for Moksha--Samayag (correct)- knowledge, Faith, Conduct and Tap ( fast). Firstly one has to obtain correct knowledge. Such knowledge purifies faith. Without correct knowledge one cannot follow the correct religion. With correct knowledge and faith ,one goes for correct character. Character building is comparatively difficult.
- Knowledge is being divided in following categories.
- Matidyan ( original intelligence of soul ),Shrut dyan (obtained by Guru and books) , Avadidyan (knowing things within a limit) Maanprayavarandyan ( knowing things in mind of others) and Kevaldyan ( knowing all things for past ,present and future for living or material things).
- In present age only Mati and Shrutdyans are available .Original Matidyan can be increased by attending lectures of Guru and reading holy books -Aagaams.
- Absence of knowledge (Adnyan) is of 3 categories-Matiadnyan
- shrutadnyan and Vibhagdyan. We can remove them with Jinwani
Faith is classified in four section Chakshudarshan ( vision with eyes Achakshudarshan( vision with mind and organs),Avadhidarshan and Kevaldarshan. Beside vision faith has second meaning being belief.Correct faith removes all doubts and automatically make the conduct of person on right path. Such faith put life and conduct of Bhagwan Mahaeer as a roll model before the person concerned. Tap or fast is a part of conduct. It teaches how to control organs, mind, speech and body. With combination of all those 4 ways one can obtain salvation.
If one is following one or more paths and not all four in combination he cannot attain salvation. Thus one can obtain expertise in theory of Jainism but if the knowledge is for telling others only and not being implemented for self practice then it can not bring salvation to them.
The knowledge must create kindness and care for all living souls and must not differentiate between self and others. All souls are equal only difference in level of Karma, good deeds ( Punya ) and bad deeds (Paap).We must try hard to remove bad Karmas from own soul and help others to do it for them to the extent possible. Once the layers of bad and good Karmas are being cleared and nullified salvation is instant, This is the specialty of Jainism the devotee can get the same status of God he used to worship while as a devotee.
JAIJINENDRA-----------!!!----------JAIMAHAVEERA--------!!!.
In present age with advanced medical treatment most of people can believe that ,yes life span can be increased. Jainism does not support said view. Let us examine the related theory by Bhagwan Mahaveer.
In Bhagwati Sutra in 20th Shatak bhagwan has told that life span is of two types. One is called Sopkrama life ( which can be broken with 7 reasons ) and another one is called Niruprakrama life (which can not be broken by any reason).Only souls from hell and heaven enjoy second type of life. All others belong to first category barring few exceptions. One can refer the relevant reference in Bhagwatisutra.
As per explanation provided, there are two basic ways of putting any principal or theory for masses. They are Finite ( Nichaya Naya ) and Common or practical parlance (Vayhara Naya ). As per the first finite theory life build by any soul in previous life, can never be changed. What ever reason told to be cause of death was in fact prefixed. The Sopkrama life theory is based on common parlance. Thus even the human, animal or plants enjoy exact term. However there can be a
any attributable or apparent reason. But it is not real cause of death.
Real reason is behavior of soul in last life and life built circumstance.The seven reasons ,causing so called deaths given in' Sthanang Sutra can be briefly summarized as being Mental agony, result of weapon or punishment, food ,pain. falling. bite and problems of breathing created. Death can be termed as natural or by otherwise causes.
In Bhagwati Sutra 13 Shatak Bhagwan has specified twelve types of death. Main five among them are Aavichik Maran -( each moment reduction of life Pudagals ) , Avadhi, ( Again to consume same life Pudgal )Aatyantik (not to consume such Pudagal any more) others-
.Bal-maran ( death without Pachkhan and without Samyag/correct knowledge) and Pandit-maran(death with Pachkhan,Pratikaman and Santhara Aalochna).Shrawaks and monks can be Balpandit. Pandit
We have two case study to believe the unchangeable life span. First can be studied from 14 Shatak of Bhgwatisutra which tells story of Laavsaptamdeo. This study exactly shows importance of a fraction
of second out of life term fixation components for death timings.
Only if such category God could increase life span by time in which seven grass leaves can be cut off, they would became Siddha. Due to shortage of few moments they have to take birth in high Deologa---- "Sarwarthsidhaviman" with life span of 33 Sagropam. They have to wait for such long period due to shortage of few seconds to cut their Karmas and become Siddha. Such noble souls are now enjoying Ekabhavaavtari (A single birth then salvation) status at present.
Second case study is from life stories of Bhagwan Mahaveer. At the end of his life span, when he was about to get Moksha, King of God Shakendra requested, Bhagwan to postpone his salvation by fraction seconds since on the scheduled time One planet named Bhasma was dominating the then running Nakshtra. If Bhagwan leave the world on that time ,it can cause deteriorating future quality of followers of Jainism. But even knowing it Bhagwan expressed his inability to do it. On prefixed time he left forever.This is power of scheduled time.
This basic has been very well explained in Brihadaloyana one liner- "Raee (seed of mustard ) Matra Wadhgat Nahi--------- (addition or reduction) Dekhya Kevaldyan----------------!!. It mean to say---
(There cannot be deviation even equal to a seed of mustard in what Bhagwan has visualized for any person in his Kewaldyan.)
Hence the followers of Jainism must remove fear of death and use available time to purify soul to his or her maximum extent
JAI JINENDRA-----!!!----------!!!---------JAI MAHAVEER----!!!.
