JAINISM--SAFETY OF JAINATVA AND JAINS--!!.

Friends, I was fortunate to participate in events of Paryushan at city Jodhpur. At Sawastari after Khamatkhamna there was a meeting of  major Shrawaks from all over India to discuss vision documents for Jain community. Herewith I cover few points for  this Blog readers. 

1- With family planning and difficulties in upbringing size of Jain families in current scenario has been restricted to a single or at the most two kids. Old times of four brothers with three sister is getting vanished. This will restrict population of Jains in near future. Jain religion being at number ten will soon fall from the present ladder.

Jains all over world in 2024 may be around 47 lacs out of 800 crore world population with a growth rate negligible two percent or less.

2-Second speaker was worried about increasing disparity in society. On one hand there is lavish avoidable expenditure in weddings and other small functions while major portion is facing survival issues, Slowly poverty is creeping in. He suggested to appoint survey teams to know needs of fellow brothers through visits to hospitals homes and colleges admissions windows. A common fund to be established to help really needed Jains. He quoted example of team working in

Ahmedabad. He further added not to arrange five star hotels ,dinner at wedding to avoid lighting and dinner after sunset. One need to avoid lawns for various functions speaker requested. He also warned not to use roots in food as it can damage our own Jain culture. He added that more scholarship funds to be created as number of Jain students going abroad has been increased  at present over few years.

3 -Third speaker was concerned about lack of study of Jainism  with younger generation and kids. He suggested senior to work as teacher

in Jain Pathshala and to start Mahaveer Gurukul in remote villages.

He also suggested to start online classes for Samaik and Pratikaman.

4-Forth speaker was worried about vanishing Jain culture in young ones. He quoted western influence in dresses and fast food likings. Ladies are more inclined to fashion without caring for image of Jain society in metropolitan cities. A self discipline is very much needed.

He urged ladies to use Odani to cover hair while in Stanak or temple.

5- Fifth member cautioned to young generation to keep Jain culture intact .He feared in those days of growing extreme religious pattern.

He said if we failed to go to Derasar or Sthanak with our kids soon in next 25 years they will be victim of other easy religions and may not follow vegetarian foods. It should be our careful watch that can prevent them from wrong food ,drinks habits.at any cost they must not eat eggs and other similar as advocated by Jineshwar Bhagwan

6- Sixth member rose safety issues of Sadhuji and Sadwiji while in theVihar. He asked to ensure to form Vihar Samiti and it's members shall accompany Gurudeo till reach their next planned destination.He also requested to build Vihar Bhavan at distance of 20km in villages,

He added to ensure availability of sufficient shops to provide tools

like Aassan, wind driven and sand watches, Aagam books meant for Swadhya  and to perform Samaik and Saiyam and religious activitiy.  7-Last speaker raised issue of vocal language. He said eventually kid will learn English and Hindi language.But parents must insist kids to

speak Marwadi or Gujrathi language at home as majority Jains are being migrated from Rajasthan and Gujratj, Any language is being shaped in hundred years. It should not happen our kids forget it with western culture abroad, and jobs outside India. Wemust preserve it.  

Friends we may belong to any of branch of Jainism. When a religion

which gave us everything is in danger we must do whatever we can do in our best capacity. Points may be similar or different but it is for sure the future seems to be challenging.Mahaveer Bhagwan said  our Jain religion will last for 21000 years. We need to ensure it's strong presence in the world. As a famous quote goes who lives if India die. On similar line just think which Jain can live without Jain religion.

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

 

 

JAINISM-WHAT IS " SHUDDHA DHARAM"--!!!.

  Friends most of us either Jain or non- -Jain wish to follow a correct religion. However due to basic background of our religious practices we may fail to do it. The reason being we follow religion by tradition rather than studying features. Let us go through Gurudeo 's guidance. He was addressing captioned question put to him by a Jain devotee.  " Devanupriyo the question is too simple but most difficult to reply. If the answer is believed and acted upon the world will be happy and get rid of all ongoing tensions. My answer is based on a Jain quote.

It means Arihant Bhagwan is true Bhagwan, their teachings being a correct and true religion and Guru acting and believing it deeply is true Guru. Let me discuss reasons for those criteria. Ari is meant to be flaws and Hant is winning. A soul who has been successful to win over inner and outer flaws is Arihant. Body and five organs are inner flaws while  Kashay and mind are outer flaws. Arihant Bhagwan has  won over them. As a result they got complete correct knowledge and

vision making them free from love and hate. They are in purest state of soul hence they cannot tell lie or speak with selfishness or motive They care equally for all living souls and free from giving blessings or curses. One can test his selection of God on this criteria. They are neither creator or destroyer. Nether they help us to grow. All Arihants preach the same teachings and has no contradictions. Second one is selection of religion. First important checking if religion approve the

life after death or it is a current single birth ? If it is a only birth then there is no scope for soul or it's liberation. Once the physical body is vanish then the story of human life ends. They don't try to find out what is missing so that the body stops functioning. Such religions treat human as a king in all livings and permit them to kill or eat less powered souls. Feeling of live and let live is absolutely missing. All such religion looks to a living as object  as robot. Any correct & true

religion must not advocate any sins out of 18 sins for any of personal gain.Such selected religion must award any individual as per his own deeds and not out of wishes or mood of an God or superpower. Now

let us check who can be a correct Guru. A true Guru is being looked upon for guidance of Jinwani and ways for salvation. If he himself do not know the exact path then he will definitely cannot help his disciples. On the contrary he will increase life cycles  of life and deaths for both. Guru must be following his 5 Mahavrata which  he agreed to follow at time of Diksha. These are summary check list points.  With my Dikha and learning I concluded that only Jainism is worth to follow. one can have more study and free to conclude for his own conclusion based on truth" Gurueo concluded his lecture.

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

 

JAINISM----------WORSHIPPING BHAGWAN MAHAVEER SWAMI-------!!!.

Friends many of Blog readers may be surprised to read the title. In fact as a Jain since our childhood we are used to worship Pu. Arihant Bhagwan, Siddha Bhagwan, Kewali and 24 Thirthankars in our own ways. I felt one of Gurudeo's lecture can be more useful for us to look at newer ways to offer our prayers towards these all noble soul.

 "Devanupriya, just few days back Chaturmas started. We all doing our best to use this holy period to get rid of our negative Karmas. I do not have any slight doubt for it. Today just I wish with this lecture try to review your methods of worship. Meaningful ways worship are needed to avoid personification of these great souls. It is but natural that we all love our deities souls who showed all of us road to get salvation. Best way to offer them our respect is to concentrate on the their unique virtues rather than their personality. All thirtahnkar have 

"Thirthankar Gotra Bandh" so all of such noble souls enjoy best of particles (Pudgal) to build their body. They are also been gifted with natural as well "Atishay" offered by heavenly God mean very special features of human appearance and structure. As a lay man we all are being attracted by such fantasies though real. It may be 14 dreams of their mothers or celebration of birth by heavenly Devta. In the said process do not overlook Bhagwan's numerous best qualities of souls.

we forget Bhagwan's rigorous Tap for 12.5 years, his forgiveness to all of his ill wishers or souls making attempts on his life ? His love for non violence and truth ,his sacrifice of kingdom ? Just check He has tolerated so many " Upsarg".Be it Sangamdeo, Chandkoushik or

"Gwala" fixing nail in his ears. All these suffering cannot make him to give up his path to salvation. He firmly believed that all those are punishing him against such Karmas built by him only. There is no faults of any one of them. Only such pure faith on Jain principles has made him to achieve the unique Kewaldyan and Kewaldarshan. He

ultimately got for which he faced all mental and physical sufferings.

Even when we chant any small or large praise of Mahaveerswami be it a Navkar, Puchisunam or Loggas our soul with closed eyes must remember his all these virtues. We shall tell ourselves- I need to keep him my role model and live my this life accordingly. I must walk the period henceforth on his teachings and Jinwani. My entire Sadhna will not bring me results if I only love him without following his all path. I wasted so much time in not following his path. Let me rectify

it and  walk on correct path. Taking name or praising Panchparmesti  with "Ahobhav" is a great tool of Nirjara and Punyabandh. We shall remember 108 virtues of them from Panch Padoki Vandana from the Pratikaman and offer our respect to them with feelings  Hopefully it will guide all of you and me " Gurudeo ended his lecture. 

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

 

 

 

 

JAINISM----HOLY PERIOD OF FOUR MONTHS-------------------CHATURMAS-2022--------------!!!.

Friends our most auspicious period of Chaturmas is going to begin from 13th July 2022. As per practice ,I intend to present calendar for it so as devotees can use it. It's as per Stankawasi branch. Followers of other branches can have from their sources with  small difference.

We should now aim for higher engagements so as to have real and lasting benefits.To above time table one needs to add 24th oct being Kartik Vadi Amawasya "Veernirvan" and Dipawali day. Next day is

"Pratipada to be used for reading "Uttaradhyansutra" all 36 chapters.

To utilize it for life's achievements start learning. Please check if you know minimum  of following as a true devotee otherwise start them.

1-Samik.2-Pratikaman .-3- Nine Tatvas. 4- 25 Bol .5-Puchisunam. Any Jain devotee must have these basic. Beginners can aim to learn Navakar Mantra with meaning, Tikkuto, Loggas and Namothunam. Parents shall take care to avoid dinner after sunset and use of roots in

food. Going to hotels, cinema and outing must be avoided. Members of any family should decide to observe fasts as per own capacity. No one should miss fast and Pratikaman on "Sawastari" the day being Bhadrapadha Panchmi being a possible " Aayushya Bandh Day". 8 days " Paryushan Parva" must be used to read " Angarh Sutra". One

can know the great noble souls endless efforts to get salvation. Last day of Sawastari to be used for "Sawastari Pratikaman and most importantly for " Khamat Khamna". Asking for forgiveness gives us a rare opportunity to get soul free from  all four " Kashay" specially  "Anatanubandhi Kashay".Without free from it Moksha not possible. Seniors now aim to move to 32 Aagam Swadhya and" Dhayan and 

" Vutsarg".Aalochna is essential of Sawwastari day for all devotees,

Friends, I don't think anybody will like to take birth in next life in other religion than Jain religion. Jainism has gifted all of us so many things. Specially a clean state of mind, fear from sins and to act as a well wisher of every living souls. So now it is our turn to keep  Jain religion intact and to benefit all our coming generations. These four months are best opportunity for it. So take maximum advantage of it. Our aim should be Nirjaya, staying away from 18 sins and Punya. In case someone needs to overcome difficulty in leaning or has any doubts can always contact me by comment to this blog. I will try my best to offer assistance. Hopefully readers will use this period fully.

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

JAINISM----12 TOOLS TO CUT KARMAS---------"NIRJARA"--!!!.

Friends, getting to Moksha is a long cherished dream for most of us. Bhagwan Mahaveer has provided guidance for such tools in Aagam Bhagwatiji (25/07) and Uttaradyansutra (30).It has been also been covered in 25 Bol. I intend to present subject lecture  of Gurudeo.  "Devanupriya, we all are tired by sufferings of living. All of you can revisit your life lived so far. Majority will vouch  mine statement. Few of instances can be there for few apparent happiness. They all are based on our lack of knowledge being for what is true happiness. A fear of old age and death coupled with parting of near and dear one has always been here. In such a scenario one must try to nullify the root cause of it. Jainism  tells the root cause to be birth. To cut taking birth we need to cut all bad and good karmas. For it Pujya Bhagwan has given following twelve tools. It has also covered in 14th Bol and  nine Tatvas being the basic pillars of Jainism. Let us study them. 

1-Anashaan---It means keeping fast as per capacity. Tapsya is like a fire to burn the negative Karmas. It covers Navkarsi to Maskhaman. As advised by Aagam most Shrawaks observe 5 Thithies  in 15 days. They are Bij, Panchami, Ashtami. Gyaras, Chodas or Pakkhi.Can be observed with fast and Poshad possibly or as per individual capacity.

2-Unodari-------It means daily eating less than prevailing hunger.      3.-Bhikhacharya---It means not to eat home food. Food need to be asked from same culture homes after due inquiry for eligibility. For monks it is  "Gochari" for Shrawaks it is called as " Daya Gochari". It is being designed to know value of food and help to reduce pride  4.-Rasparityag---It means to eat tasteless food free from "Vigaay". 6 Vigaay are milk, curd. sugar, oil butter, and honey."Aayambil Tap" is being designed to follow tasteless food to restrict taste of tongue . 

5-Kaayklesh--It means to reduce body pleasures. Walking bare feet, avoiding bathing and using cosmetics or using fans like measures.

6-Pratisalinta-To control 5 organs of body and four Kashay of soul.  7-Praychit-----It means atonement. It is a self punishment given by Gurudeo after he listen to the mistakes or sins committed by doer. It requires a great courage to admit wrong deeds of self before Guru.    8.-Vinay---It involves offering respect for qualities of monks.            9.-Vaiyavrut------It means personal services for elders or needy. For monks it can be only by monk. A individual can offer  only indirect services to monk without touching body or helping them. For others  one can offer direct or indirect personal help to end his sufferings.       10-Swadhay----It means learning, reading and learning 32 Aagams. 

Reading Aagam make our faith strong and cut Dyanavarniya Karma.
11-Dhayan--It is mediation for soul with concentration of mind.        12-Vyutasarg----It means stopping actions of mind, speech and body getting engaged into remembering " Jinwani".One can recite it with eyes closed Navkar, Loggas, Namothunam, Puchhisunam like Jain Path to offer respect to noble and pure souls Siddha and Arihant.

One can adopt one, more or all 12 tools to cut Karmas. Remember without cutting all bad and good Karmas salvation is not possible.

Hopefully without wasting time we all will do it to our maximum capacity, Using tools can help early Moksha"  Gurudeo concluded.                                                         

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

                                                

 

 

JAINISM-MAHAVEER JANMA KALYANAK-2022-!!

Friends, sun arising om 14th April22 will witness numerous folded hands offering respect to real Sun of Kewaldyan and Kewaldarshan Pujya Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami. The day Jain and other followers  will be celebrating " Mahveer Janma Kalynaka".Janma Jayanti phase used for birthday of  extraordinary souls. Whereas Kalyanak word express the soul who cared for "Kalyan" of mankind and all souls.      Devotees of Bhagwan all over the world with full joy and happiness

will be revisiting his life by short play or telling short stories or decorated procession based on his life. While doing it all chapters of his life Birth, Diksha. vigorous Sadhana of plus twelve years. His enlighten movements and Nirvan will be recalled. His all eleven Gandhars, Sati Chandanbala, Chandkaushik, Arjunmali ,his mother Sati Devananda and Mata Trishala and her fourteen famous dreams.

One who is filled with sense of obligations toward Bhagwan will be doing it in his best capacity. Mother gives birth, parents and teacher develop the kid and Bhagwan Mahaveer and sadhuji following him show the way to end all suffering of life by getting to Moksha. He is a role model for all living soul. He taught the way of living. He show the path of tolerance. coolness in all odds, love and care for all souls. He by his own conduct shown the vigorous ways of fast for Nirjara. Taking his name and remembering him is good. It is not enough, the real aim should be to copy his conduct  and faith in our daily living.  

Only fortunate can follow his path and reach ultimate salvation. On this auspicious day let us pay our tribute by enacting maximum time "Puchisunam". We all pray He shall continue to spread the lights of non violence, truth .non theft Bramacharya and Aprigraha to entire world for all centuries to come. At present world badly needs them.

The great day of Bhagwan's birth was approx. 2621 years ago on the day of Chitra Shukla Teras at the Nakshtra of Uttaraphalguni in the city "Kshatriyakundalpur" in "Bharatkhetra "to King Siddartha and Mata Trishladevi. His soul arrived from 10th Deolog "Pranat". His real mother was "Priyananda" but Karma got him transfer to trishala mata. He married to "Yashoda" for a brief time had a daughter named "Priyasharshana".She got married to "Jamali". Jamali taken Diksha from Mahaveerswami but later parted from him."Nandivardhan" was his elder brother. He has taken Diksha at the age of  only thirty and completed life of seventy two years. He got salvation at Pawapuri having two days fast. Salute to great soul. Let us pray for his best and correct continuous guidance  to us in all our lives till Moksha.

JAI JINEDRA----------------!!!!----------JAI MAHAVEER------!!!.

 

 

 

 

 

JAINISM-PLEASE SAY NO TO WAR LOUDLY--!!!.

Friends human sufferings at large scale just seem to be never ending. First it was Pandemic now it is ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflict. It can be concluded that vested interests have decided to keep the fire burning. Recently, I saw a related video on it and it reminded me the Mahaveer swami's non violence theory. Apparent root cause behind pandemic was bat's meat while it is greed for current conflict. Whole world is watching war helplessly. Nearly 141 members out of the193 members of UNO urged to stop it. Thirty five of members remained absent including India and five voted in favor of war. In this context  I liked a war poem by a Palestine poet. He is Mr. Mahmood Darwish (1941-2008).It is too touching. Have a look at image shared for this harsh but true poem. Poet has nicely summarized evils of any war.

We as human are not new to war. We have watched world war I and  2nd including so many others but forget to remember devastation of  a war. Effects of war haunt us for years Soldiers who have lost lives never come back. Properties and other damages takes so many years to get rebuilt. Have you ever given thought why the whole world is held for a ransom by few individuals or super powers ? Broking of

any war is not a single day event rather it is a too long term process. Masses of any country select a person to lead them. Eventually to be in same office forever this Supreme starts to sell dreams and fear to public. No one cares to challenge him. Super power are keeping eye on such leader. They catch him to get added to their customers long list with small favors. With passage of time when full dependence is 

created either superpower to enhance their own territory boundaries invade targeted country. There is more or less same practice by them.

It may not be same case for every case but  greed of big nations has

always been the underlying aims of any war. If as a parent we cared to cultivate a sense of caring for other living souls tiny or big based on non violence theory of Bhagwan Mahaveer, the leader will think twice before any of such misadventure. From childhood when a kid taste non vegetarian food, he start to loose his value for other's lives. Surprisingly all heads who issue war orders have faith in their God.

Whenever I happen to pass from a butcher's shop I remember a line from a famous Hindi movie. Those line says some thing like follow-

"Ek chutki sindoor ki kimat tum kya jano Ramesh babu-------?". Likewise a life of single soldier or civilian means nothing to all these superpowers. There is total ignorance for Bhagwan's second theory of "Anekantwad".No one ready to listen other's view. Only might is right theory guides the decisions. Moreover nuclear weapons are being used as a blackmail tool. I can feel and see a silver lining in all those odds. That is number of protestors and demonstrators in all the

countries world wide. Even in Russia people are gathered for no war theme. Let us hope for a day when our earth  will be declared as a no war zone by  all the super powers. Yes miracles  do keep happening. Hopefully world soon recognizes and approve Bhagwan's theory of non violence and start to value of a single living soul small or big

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