JAINISM--PREFER DHARMA OVER PUNYA-------!!!

 Friends day 3rd November 2017 marked end of  year's four month's Chaturmas. Here is the coverage of last  useful lecture of Gurudeo. 
 "Brothers, day after tomorrow, we will be leaving this place for next another destination as guided by Mahveerbhagwan after completing four months stay at one place. To avoid deep bondage, this is a very essential duty. As a follower of Bhagwan monks have to follow it.

Three full moon days carry great importance spiritually for all of Jain. They are in brief are as follow. They are worth to be noted.---.
  1-Falgun ( Holi ) Sudhi full moon day (Poornima)-Chaturmas is         being declared on this auspicious day. Generally in March of year.
  2-Aashad Sudhi full moon day-- Chaturmas is being started,
  3-Kartika Sudhi  full moon day--Chaturmas ends.

In all those four months you covered much knowledge of Jainism. Now the coming 8 months is time to implement the learning. Here I share with you the difference between  two major terms. First being Dharma and second one is Punya. Often we mistook the later for the former. Such mistake often leads the task of cleaning soul difficult  and unfinished ,so knowing the difference is most important for all.

 

1-Dharma-The ways adopted  to live life which prevents next birth of soul in worst or bad place is Dharma. (Hindi-Jise dharan karnese Aatma Durgati me Nahi jata, wah Dharma hai.) There is no scope for any sin while doing Dharma. It acts as a floater which prohibits the sinking of soul in deep sea of sins. It is applicable for all living soul

Dharma requires self and soul involvement in  all religious activities.
The only purpose of Dharma is to cut bad Karmas of soul termed as "Nirjara" The components of Dharma are Navkarmantra, Samaik, Pratikaman, Sanwar. Poshad. Pachhkhans .Swadhya,Dhyan and
keeping fast, following non violence and other 11 Vratas, spreading and teaching Jainism and attending monks or Sadhus in Upashray.

If one can become monk after taking Diksha, it is the best option of Dharma. However it is too difficult to follow without determination
Dharma can take the soul to ultimate aim of salvation. It does not require money but self engagement is necessary. The action must be backed by intentions to cut Karmas. Then only it can bring desired effects. Please note Dharma always protects the one who practices it unconditionally and with pure intentions. It makes our faith stronger.

 2-Punya----- Punya is doing good things for others. It can involve charity, donation. serving parents, offering aid to needy one etc..
Punya do not take you to salvation. It can provide only better and favorable circumstances of all types. It is like a ship bringing you to  beach from sea travel, To reach home one has to leave the ship and get down from it. Similarly one has to nullify all Punya before he gets salvation. As a  reward for all good deeds forming Punya one gets birth in heaven or higher class mankind. 

There is a danger in going to heaven without Jainism knowledge. Such souls start enjoying the life at heaven to fullest. As a results more life cycles are being framed. Current knowledge of Jainism  and faith last for next 2/3 births. So Jainism knowledge is a must.
Anyone can get engage in Punya with good intentions, time, efforts,

willingness and money. Thus building temples or hospital without desire for name or fame may fetch Punya but certainly it can not be Dharma. Moreover if any smallest sin is  being committed at such places one has to share the results. Reducing dependency on others to minimum, keeps balance of Punya intact for further carry forward.

 I hope you will definitely note the difference between two. Now please see that you engage yourself in maximum Dharma",Gurudeo concluded. We stood up to offer him respect and left venue.

JAI JINENDRA---------!!!---------- JAI MAHAVEER------------!!!.

JAINSIM-- HOW ONE CAN FORGET---- MAHAVEER BHAGWAN--------!!!

Friends tomorrow on full black day 2544 years will be completd for salvation of lord Mahaveer. He got the salvation in BC 527. His last four moths stay was at Pawapuri in Nalanda district in India in Bihar state. It was kingdom of king Shripal.He got liberated here only.

 Before the Nirvan day. for continuous 48 hours he delivered last lecture, presently  it is available in Utradhyansutra and Vipaksutra.
 His teachings  will be relevant for all the time to come Those teachings become more relevant in 2017 in the background of threat of nuclear war. Any adversity is possible any time in near future.

Now the world helplessly used to hear the threats of Nuclear war. Previously the fear was always there with numbers of such bombs and weapons informed, But now there is open and  new threat with each passing day. I do not know it is a threat or real prior intimation. Only time can tell the reality in future for our worried generation.
We will live or dead to hear it is also not certain. Even it is threat it amounts to indirect cause of anguish and mental harassment to peace

loving counties of both sides. Each day passes with uncalled for anxiety and peace disturbance. We all can couch for this reality
I wonder how world leaders can forget tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki tragedy so early ? It is only 71 years passed from 06/08/1945 when world watched the beyond words tragedy of atomic bomb explode killing humanity and humans.

The period is too small for human race. As a feedback to me visitors to those cities still leave the place crying with a heavy heart. I was not born at that time. With due apology I feel if  at a time death of plus 129000 innocent  people and more than it leading to lead a miserable and pathetic life by radiation ,we fail to learn a life time lesson then it is almost certain that no one can be more unfortunate and fool than us, Both cities will be ambassador of peace for entire humanity .For such peace message we cannot forger Veer Mahaveer.

I wonder whether the parties involved have ever heard the simpler one line theory of war. It says war does not prove who his right, it only proves that who is left after war and in which conditions.
 I am more than 100 % sure if parties involved  decide to go  through the Mahaveer Bhagwan's teaching, they will pass resolution not to involve any kind of war forget nuclear war.
Looking to shortage of time available  to busy authorities, let me explain his 3 principles-non violence. forgiveness and Anekantwad  (Means to agree that other can have other view also not necessarily false-it may or may not match your vies.) It can be a real tribute to him. I briefly summaries herewith those principles.

1-Non violence--It underline the concept that everybody love his life and like to  enjoy life. A beggar, billionaires including all patients .even. dogs .plants nobody like to die ( barring minor % who successfully opt for suicide. Even such category used to live in past but adopt such harsh measures due to lack of proper counselling and sympathy).Love for life is a inbuilt natural feature of soul all over the world, irrespective of caste, creed, status religion and position. 

2-Forgiveness-If one has conquered his ego then only he can go for forgiveness. Only mighty people with brave heart can do it. With such gesture offered the opposite party is bound to rethink his behavior and can possibly change for ever. No doubt results may not be positive in all cases but let us give the concept a try.

3-Anekanntwad (Multi-opions )--The theory allows to respect other's view. If one has a voice of dissent ,i t shall not make him your enemy for all the time. So many time ,it happens that later on one realize his mistake. There are cases in history of world that the later generation offers apology for mistakes and torture done by their forefathers. History can vouch for  such cases,
Tomorrow on Mahaveer Nirwan day his followers will offer him respect for his valuable teaching by keeping fast, offering his praise by 108"Pucchisunam" and Swadhay of Uttaradhyansutra.
 It is simply difficult for any rational man to overlook his precious teachings of "Live and allow others to live happily".
Noble souls like Mahveerswami used to take birth on earth once in a blue moon, after passing of thousand years .Even after such long gap arrival we are free to ignore his  advice at cost of our happiness. Let us change our wrong path as a tribute to him.

Let us pray to this noble soul to allow us some sort of light to overcome the darkness that is creeping in slowly at the horizon of earth. Let us use this auspicious festival of Dipawali to remove darkness within each of us. It can make earth as worthy place to live

JAI JINENDRA---------!!!----------JAI MAHVEER------------!!!.

JAINISM--CHARITRYA BUILDING THROUGH 12 MAHAVRATA-----PART-3.-----!!!

Friends this blog covers balance vows in brief from "Pratikaman" .I am covering it on a request from one of blog readers. In his view, it can put all vows under a a common platform for easy grasping. 

Pratikaman is done on daily basis immediately after sunset and before sunrise. In daily routine, if we get a small cut or wound, we immediately apply antiseptic and apply ointment with bandage to cure the wound in time, Just like it ,it is a remedy to clear off wrong doings on daily basis from bottom of heart to clear soul daily.
It prevents  new bad Karmas to become part of soul. "Pratikaman"  book only can give real idea of contents. I am doing only passing reference towards it's main contents. Let us study those vows-----.

1-Limitation of all directions for own travel to protect small insects. Any how the universe is too big, we do not use all direction all the time. So limit the day's travel boundaries with reference to own plan

2-Limitations of 26 types of human intakes, to control our needs. Food makes body strong. As a result healthy organs demand, more pleasure leading to more sins and luxurious life style, 

3-Limitations of daily action to curtail unnecessary and unwanted sins .Many time we engage in free advice to others without bothering it's results and sins associated. For such bad actions or advice, we will be partners of sins involved equally.

4-Engagement  in Samaik for religious activities. It is source of inner peace. Samik connect you with religion. Just take a example of tree.Till the tree is connected to soil ,it is green and prospering. Once it is cut off from soil, the supply of water and soil will be disconnected and will make the tree dry. Similarly as long as one is connected with Dharma, one is peaceful and happy. Disconnection invites so many bad habits and loose character.

5-Limitation of  dealing with others.

6-Engagement in Poshad. A full night engagement in religious activities. It is done with fast and full time Samaik,

7-To offer necessities to monks and guests. (Athithi),visiting unknowingly. Not to prepare any thing keeping in mind the arrival.
Earlier we completed  major 5 vows  now secondary seven vows of Jainism we have seen, thus it is a total twelve  basic vows covered.

In addition to it, more vows related to actions are given as follow.

1-Admission for mistakes done in reading Aagams.- Aagame Tivihe .It relates to reading without proper care.

2-Admission for mistakes if other faiths followed or Bhagwan's sermons doubted knowingly or unknowingly.-Darshan Samkit.

3-Admission for mistakes if 25 wrong faiths related actions following under category of Mithyatav.

4-Disturbing tiny insects generated in unhygienic places-Samucchim. Such places are 14.

5-Forgiveness from all from Jambudwipa -bigger place where we live. Bharatkhetra is part of it.

6-Forgiveness from 84 millions categories of all living souls.

7-Choti Sanlekhna-Santhara

8- Going forActual Snathara.

Pratikamn is not like reading or speaking from books or hearing a recorded one. It requires own involvement and review of daily actions. If any action was made contrary to Jainism teaching ,one has to offer unconditional apology with heart felt sorry. With it sins get washed out and fails to be part of soul.

 JAI JINENDRA-------------!!!- JAI MAHAVEER--------------!!!.

JAINISM-CHARITRYA BUILDING THROUGH 12 MAHAVRATA------PART-2-----!!!..

Friends, I have attended full series of Gurudeo's lectures based on 12 vows meant for Shrawaks. Out of it we have covered three basics in previous two blogs. In current blog ,I will cover additional two basic  based on lectures by Gurudeo. It can complete main five vows.
For balance seven vows readers can refer Path of Pratikamansutra.
From  those vows ,one can imagine the vision of Mahaveerswami. He knew in the time to come most sufferings and unrest of mankind will be from, sex related crimes fueled by disparity in income problems. So he advocated these important vows for his followers.

4th Vow---Celibacy or Chastity--( Bramacharaya). This vow has two parts. In one part the Shrawak undertake not to marry in life time and take vow not to engage in any type of physical relationship with anybody. In second part if married Shrawk undertake to go only for limited physical relationships with spouse only. Gurudeo covered chapter 16th and story based on chapter 22 Th named as "Rathnemi" from Aagam "Uttaradhyanasutra". " We call it Brahmachrya Vrat".

  5th Vow--This vow cover limitation of self wealth and all type of possessions. One has to donate his excess wealth in various forms if it is there or happens to be there in future. One should not get panic on hearing parting with wealth. One can have assessment of  his own reasonable needs of funds in average life term. He can fix the limit

and go for good utilization of excess. If one wants to provide for next 10 generations, then there is no use of this vow,  This vow can reduce one's running here and there after money by reduced attachment. He can concentrate on spiritual development for his soul.
 Gurudeo covered life of lord Krishna from fifth chapter of Aagam "Antagarhasutra" to support it. Now let us see related stories.
1-Rathnemi and Rajimati Story- Sati Rajimatiji was engaged to Arishtanemiji. But the wedding could not take place as Arishtanemiji decided to become monk in protest of killing of animals for food in celebration of  his marriage .So Rajimatiji also decided to become monk and left to see Bhagwan presently on Rewatak mountain. On the way due to heavy rain she took shelter in a corner of mountain

Due to darkness, she could not see one monk in meditation named Rathanemi. After completion of meditation, monk saw her and very much impressed by her beauty. He expressed his desire to re enter domestic life and marry her. Rajimatiji preached him importance of of Chasity. She invited him to look beyond coverage of skin and think of various impure items every body carries. Coverage by skin makes, the so called difference of beauty. Otherwise, inside it is all impurity. She also explained him how it is the biggest crime to break a vow and reminded him that even a snake prefer to die instead of drinking his omitted poison. She restored his faith. The monk has regretted his action and asked her forgiveness. Both got salvation with passage of time in same life term..
2-Lord Shrikrishna Story-- The story is different than other popular stories on this subject. Shrikrishna was king of three continentals having Dwarika as capital. On  event of killing of his own brother Gajsukumalji  by Somil, he was very upset and worried about fate of himself and his kingdom.He suddenly felt disturbed.
He met Bhagwan Arishtanemiji and asked him  their future. Bhagwan informed him that his kingdom's end is seen nearby and it

will be caused by fire ,alcohol, fights within masses and one saint called Dipayanrishi. He himself will die with shot of an arrow aimed at a deer. Then he will take birth in third earth "Valukaprbha". As a rule kings belonging to Vasudeo category goes to hell due to excessive enjoyment of wealth. But the silver lining is that he will be 12 th Thirthankar in next era in Bharatshektra only named as "Amam". He built this Thirthankara Naam Karma as a result of his  acceptance of guardianship of masses who left to become monk. In near future he will get salvation by reaching "Siddhasheela".

So friends avoid misuse of excess wealth granted by destiny with limitation . One can go for this vow after proper study.
Gurudeo concluded that if one spare time and think for all these vows one can understand that they are designed to regulate one's life with minimum sins by great visionaries Mahaveer swami and it is in ultimate for our soul's benefit only. 

JAI JINENDRA-------!!!--------------- JAI MAHAVEER-------!!!.

JAINISM- CHARITRYA BUILDING THROGH 12 MAHAVRATA------PART-1.-----!!!.

Friends to maintain continuity of earlier blog, I attended the lecture of Gurudeo next day. Only it's coverage has been delayed from my end as usual. The stories from Aagam to support first 3 basic principles of Jainism are being covered here in brief. As Gurudeo has provided pick up reference in last lecture one can refer for details.
1-Non-violence(Ahinsa) --   Each living soul has 4 to10 essentials to live life term known as "Pran".They are 5 viz-- organs mind. speech. skin .life and breathing. Depriving and or hurting anyone for one or more "Pran" is violence. Absent from such act by mind, speech and body is non-violence. This is first and most important principle of Jainism. To follow it one may prefer death as seen it story of Dharmaruchi Angaar (monk).Listen carefully to sacrifice he made.

While seeking food on completion of his 30 days fast the monk happened  to get poisonous vegetable only. He showed it to his Guru Dharmagosh Angaar. Guru smelled it and warned to dispose it off at distance flawless spot immediately. The Dharmaruchi Angaar left the place in search of such land. After some time he selected one land. To test the outcome he put a drop on land. Soon so many ants gathered, tested the drop and died. Monk regretted his action and thought any place will fetch same results. In such situation only his stomach can be the flawless spot. So he ate the vegetable with full knowledge of results and left the body.
We can only imagine how much he cared for life of other souls. 

2-Truth(Satya)- Not telling the facts is untruthfulness. One may be inclined or tempted for it for personal short term gains or other so many factors. It has various forms. Subsequently to maintain it, one has to resort to chain of false statements. While truth needs no such coverage. It is plain and forever same. If one is resorting to false statements intentionally and knowingly, the results are very very severe in view of Karma theory. Let us study related story.

In the era of Mahaveerswami one of his follower "Anandshrawak" has taken "Santharavrata".Gurugautamswami went to see him. Shrawak informed Bhagwan that he achieved "Awadhidyana"and defined the area which he can now know and see. Gautamswami agreed to it but doubted the area and asked Anandshrawak to apologies for untruth. Shrawak most humbly said "Sir.Jainism does not require apologies for truth. Gautamswami kept mum and on his return informed the happenings to Mahaveerbhagwan. Bhagwan approved Aanandshrawak's version and asked Gautamswami to go back immediately and asked for forgiveness of Aanadshrawak and apologies to him for doubting truth.
Without entering the place Gurugautamswami returned to Anandshrawak and did the needful as Bhagwan has instructed.. Gurugautamswami was monk possessing 4 knowledges out of total 5 knowledges and principle disciple of Bhagwan but knowing human error factor in absence of Kewaldyan ,he did not lost a fraction of second to rectify his mistake. It is shows his greatness and pride less personality. That is the importance and sanity of Truth
 as rightly said in India "Satyamev jayate".
3-Non theft (Achorya)- Not to use or take belongings of others known or unknown owners without owner's expressed permission is non theft. Thief not only gets valuables free but also additionally gets curses and abuses from victim as a return gift. It is one of biggest sins out of total 18 sins. If henceforth mother of  every new born pledges not to allow her child for 18 sins, the entire new world will be free from prisons and courts.

In summer 700 disciples of Ambad Pariwrajak were travelling  in scorching heat from Kapillapur to Purimtalnagar. In the travel the stock of water with them got exhausted. They were passing through river Ganges. They searched for other person who could grant them permission to take the water of river to quench the thirst. But even after lapse of considerable time they could not get such person. They don't want to break the vow not to take anything without permission. Just imagine their control over body. Millions of gallons water is

flowing in front of them but they restrained to take a single glass of water, At last they took Santhara at the bank of river and left bodies. What a commitment to vow taken !Great and noble soul indeed.
Gurudeo expressed his desire to explain  balance 2 Mahavrata in next lecture so that  study of basic and major 5 pillars can be completed. Hope readers can be get definitely benefited with it.

JAI JINENDRA----------!!!------------ JAI MAHAVEER-------!!!.

JAINISM- CHARITRYA (CHARACTER) AND IT'S FOUNDATIONS---------!!!.

 Friends as usual, I attended eight days lectures of Gurudeo in "Paryusan".Beside "Antagarhsutra" I was touched by his 3 days lectures on captioned subject which I cover for my blog readers.
"Brothers I seek your permission to speak on subject of falling living standards of our community with reference to way of life suggested by Bhagwan for his followers known as "Shrawak".Good character is one of 4 ways to attain salvation being combination of Samyag- Knowledge, character, Darshan (faith) and Tap. Simple living can lead to a good character and ultimately salvation Moksha.

It is is my moral duty to warn you for present evils creeping in our society in this time slowly. Otherwise with misled path, there is all possibilities to loose our grand heritage of Mahaveerswami to the western culture. Unfortunately we are under wrong impression that one  become Jain by simply taking birth in Jain family. Where as Jainism is being achieved , only by virtues specified by Bhagwan .

 With increased money flow and higher education, the society is witnessing a big deviation from our basics of Jainism. Before forty years parents thought it must to educate kids with twelve,"Vrata" of "Pratikaman". Now it has been replaced by various courses of personality development -dancing. singing. music, karate, sports, horse riding ,club, surfing, painting, craft, mobile use is a normal.

 I am not against good learning. But what happens with so many classes beside course study the kid does not have time for religious study and to participate in religion activities. Here we are the looser
The outer influence causes exposure to so many bad habits like drinking ,smoking .drug. non vegetarian food, tobacco. gambling and so on. If you can check bio data of our youth on various social networks social drinking, being eggetarian and all above are cited as living style preferences, I t is unfortunate that some Jain out of India consider egg's omelet as vegetarian. Parents need to tell them the liquid is nothing but abortion like substance of a living soul with  five organs ready to take birth. Jain must avoid it in all circumstance.

What I quote herewith is based on numerous inputs provided by your own community, since I am not permitted for such surfing and observations. Only I am putting it in mild tone. The show business you adopt in wedding ceremonies, birthday, engagement bash like musical night in marriage and all other social events is self status exhibition. We must be free from all social evils at all cost in time.

The fashions and reduced clothing by our sisters is  the issue which 

immediately require our attention. Even Mahaveerjayanti Yatra not spared. Our daughters and sister prefer road dancing, Previously the  Jain society was under control of senior most members from family ,influential leaders and society. Now scattered families, a growing

sense of equality given rise to independence. The binding connection of society is being thrown as outdated one and freedom allows to adopt things of cinema and others as per personal choice.

 Society is paying heavy cost for it in form of broken marriages engagements, running from home, divorces suicide etc. Now a days it was on an alarming increased scale. previously it was rare now it is

became common one. I am a monk and  do not have anything of interest in your domestic life but only to safeguard Bhagwan's Jain religion I have covered this subject for welfare of all of you.

 I need not to brief you more details since you must be aware of it more than me. In my time attendance to Sthanak or Derasar  and 32 Aagam books at home was compulsory. Similarly on "Sawastari "day, fast, Aaloyana and Pratikaman was almost essential. If we do   not impart such training from childhood to kids they will not know the importance of  those 8 days. But present facts you can ascertain from the current poor  attendance of kids and younger generation.

In next two days I will brief you with 3 stories from Aagam for essential of character, they being non- violence ,non truth and non theft, From it you can know the virtues of followers of Mahaveer Bhagwan. As a result you can compare yourself to them and think on the  huge gap., The word JAIN stands as symbol for simplicity and honesty. Our forefather starved hard for centuries to earn this credit. Let us respect it their foresight for our real happiness while living.

If you can study following references from Aagam you can have  more details in next lecture. Next we will discuss second part.
 1-Dyantadhrama Katha-- Dharmaruchi Angar and poisoned food.-Non violence can be learned from his sacrifice.
2-Bhagwatisutra- 08/14 Ambad Parivrajak and his 700 disciple story.

3-Upasakdasha-01/76 Gautamswami and Anand Shrawak." Gurudeo concluded. I was saddened  by the lecture but tried to calm myself telling that it is good. Some body has to tell that. Keeping silence to maintain diplomacy and ignoring reality can be bigger sin some time, It was right time Gurudeo opened the topic. 

JAI JINENDRA-----------!!!------------- JAI MAHAVEER------!!!.