JAINISM- BASICS TO START JAINISM STUDY------------!!!

I just asked my friend if he has visited my blog based on Jainism Mokhshasadhana. He replied yes once but could not visit it again. On my perusal he clarified the reasons behind it. He told no doubt your efforts are good but for a lay man like me it is too difficult to digest. Can you write some minimum requirements  to understand Jainism and salvation ?I wish to know about it and it's founder in more detail

I told him that it is not so difficult as he thinks. But no doubt I will try for simpler things. Subsequently I gave it a thought and came across two beautiful posts on Jainism. Thought to be good to share. 
I decided to share it with my viewers. Three basic things one shall know to understand Jainism and path of salvation can be as follow.
1-Meaning of Navkarmantra.
2-Nine Tatvas -particularly difference in living and non living soul and other seven components.
3-Various good intentions ( 12 Bhavna) for purification of soul.
 All related posts are reproduced -here for easy reference.

 I hope my friend and other beginners can have basic guidelines for salvation path with this blog. Once curiosity arises to know the nine Tatvas, virtues of Siddha, Arihant Bhagwan ,Sadhuji ( monk) and good intentions and Jainism, it automatically motivate the soul to have further study and aim for salvation to end sufferings of soul. 
Slowly the soul will opt for study of Jainism based on "Aagams".

Sooner the secrets of life and death will start to be unfolded before him. With guidance from Gurudeo and experts true meaning of life and purpose of living life will be revealed. Can be much of interest.
So start with small basics, definitely one can know and understand Jinwani in more better and detailed ways in a short time frame.

Such study can lead to absenteeism from sin, engagement in good and religious activities. Finally the travel on path of salvation can start. This can be a good beginning for a noble travel to Moksha. 

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

CHATURMAS---A FACT AGAINST MATHEMATICS---------!!!

 Gurudeo has entered our city for Chaturmas ( Holy four months). He told a very interested story in his first welcome lecture. Story was related to Akbar Badshah ( King ) and Birbal-his most intelligent minister. Once in the Rajdarbar ( people's assembly hall)
He put a puzzle to be answered for a handsome reward. He asked the gathering that what is the balance if we subtract four from twelve- ?

Gathered people were surprised with the question. It was too simple mathematics calculation. Everybody thought the answer to be eight. But no body was dared to answer it since in case of wrong answer the penalty was heavy. Around half an hour passed and there was a pin drop silence. People has answer but avoiding to speak by fear.
 Every body was looking downwards. Lastly King turned to Birbal- his most intelligent assistant and asked him for the answer. Most

humbly Birbal said "Sir answer is a zero. With a smile on his face King asked him to explain his answer to the gathered masses.
 Birbal replied------"Sir it is so simple. If we subtract four months of rainy season from the whole year of twelve months, there will be nothing left out in the world because water is life and with out it there can be no life, no harvest, no food, nothing will be left on earth, Every one agreed for the answer.The answer seemed to be ealistic.
Needless to say that King got very much impressed by Birbal's vision and correct answer, he hugged him and rewarded with honor.
Same is case with mankind. If we subtract faith and religious activities from our life ,then there will be zero left in life.

To care that we can complete the backlog- every major religions have their peak religious activities planned in period of monsoon . Chaturmas of Jain is aimed at it.This image explain the details

Similarly Ramzan of Muslims, Bhagwat of Hindus ,X-mas of Christians-almost all major religion have granted this second half the more weight age for spiritual activities. This is a harvesting time for souls. No doubt one shall be engaged in spiritual things for whole of the year. But for a common layman who is preoccupied with living activities our forefathers have set this period.
In this period of four months one can see dramatic change in people's habits majority of people stay away from non-vegetarian
 food, alcohol, roots. eggs etc. Try to have food before sunset etc. There is scientific reason also for such change. In rainy season the digestive system requires low calorie diet for easy digestion. 
Secondly with rains the plants .seeds starts growing so staying at one place ensures their safety. Jain monks stay at one place only for four months of Chaturmas. The reason being to protect tiny insect's life.

Many devotees celebrates Chaturmas with attending lecturers, doing Samaik and various Tap (fast from one day to 30 days or more days).
This Chaturmas starts from 12-07-2014.Let us utilize it maximum  for cleaning of our souls. Best of luck for the mission.

JAIJINEDRA-------!!!------!! JAI MAHAVEER--------------!!!.

JAINISM--WHY WE FAILED TO ATTAIN SALVATION------???

With Swadhaya ( Reading ) Aagams we can change many of our misconceptions. So far I was under the impression that human race is largest living soul category in universe. As per 11th July12 World's Population day- in 2012 world  human population was estimated at a

7.046 billions figure. To my surprise- it was just opposite in reality.
In 25/03 Shatak of Bhagwatisutra and 03 of PradyapanasutraPujya

Bhagwan Mahveerswami informed Gurugautamswami in the chapter 'Gati Aadi ka Alpabahutva " (Minimum and maximum souls in various categories) that living souls are in descending order from

Tiriyanch (plants, air, fire, water and animals),Siddha, heaven ,hell and human. Detailed classification is being summarized here under.
Human lady ,human gents, hell, Tiryachani, heaven gents, heaven lady, Siddaha ( liberated soul ) and Tiriyanch Gati is their specific ascending order. Thus we are at much lower side.

In simple term minimum starts from human lady and it ends with the Tririyanchgati. This can correct our population concept in totality.
I was sadden with the fact that liberated souls are the second most largest group then why cannot we be included in this category ? So many fortunate souls became Siddha with salvation but we are still waiting for our turn -just thinking-- on this subject for a while.

To clear my doubts I met Sugurudeo and discussed the topic with him. He told me that with following three main reasons, we failed to get liberalization so far. These reason can be discussed as under. 
 1--Constantly engagement in 18 sins for living and other reasons.
 2--Following wrong beliefs other than preaching of Lord Mahaveer.
 3--Not giving up  the Mohniya Karma completely ( love and hate for material and non material things ).Those are the main reasons.

He further said--" we took Diksha and became monk. Now we are in full Samaik till last breath, thus will be more closer to get Moksh
or salvation than people who failed to take Diksha. He further added that it may be quite possible that we could have seen or heard Mahaveer Bhagwan or any other Thirthankaras in Samavsaran physically but with layers covering correct knowledge we failed to grasp His/their preaching. So let us cover the shortfall now.

We continued to enjoy other non material things that life offered at that point of time. Our such mistake caused more cycles of life and death and we could not make it during Bhagwan's presence. 
Till it is not too late if we have decided  now to rectify our mistakes and determined to walk on road shown by him ,the salvation destination is not far away. Still there is scope to review our own
conduct, change it according to Jain philosophy and walk on the road of salvation " Gurudeo concluded his answer to my query.
I thanked him and decided to share it with my blog viewers. As a
end result unless we reach near the truth that Bhagwan has told the
salvation process for us will get delayed. The truth is brief is that the
soul is of immense happiness while material things are temporary.

JAI JINENTDA----------------!!!------JAI MAHAVEER--------!!!.

JAINISM-BEAUTY IS TO BE SEEN ONLY NOT TO BE DESTROYED--------!!!

My school teacher was very fond of Irish play writer Mr. George Bernard Shaw who won Nobel prize for his contribution to literature. He used to tell us his favorite stories related to Mr. Shaw. Once his fan came to meet him. He bought a nice bunch of flowers to greet him. Shaw got furious. He yelled with anger at his visitor saying---
"what is this-?" he said  pointing his finger at beautiful flowers. The fan got confused. He humbly replied Sir-----! I heard that you likes flowers very much. That is the reason I choose it ,as a gift for you. Shaw replied in anger" I also likes kids but that does not mean you should kill them and bring them in a plate to present me for my joy."

I remember this story when ever I watch people using flowers as bouquet on the occasions like wedding and birthdays, I feel very sad. I am not aware of religious background of Mr. Shaw, But definitely his ideology was near to live and let live theory of Jainism. Both do not approve harm to others.
Bhagwan Mahaveerswami in 07/08 Shatak of Bhagwatisutra told -Guatamswami that elephant and any tiny insect has same soul. Same thing was also told in another Aagamsutra -"Rajprashniyasutra".
 The apparent body is only to cover the soul for a given particular life. Soul gets the shape of body as per Naam Karma and Gati Karmas built by it. He explained the concept by example of light. If the lamp is uncovered it's light will spread to whole room while the light will be restricted to particular area if a cover was put over the lamp. This is natural self adjustment for accommodation of soul.

Similarly components of soul ( Pradesh ) either gathers or scatters as per the body's shape. Only humans are fortunate to have all five organs. But that does not mean that creatures with lesser organs have no life and one can play with their life as per his choices. Soul makes them living at par with us. Thus all living things have same soul as of ours's. Better to watch beauty of river and other nature's gift in the
form of fish ,dear, butterflies and so many other beautiful things of nature than to kill them for our selfish purpose. We must stop this.

It is unfortunate that Authorities have to pass legislation to protect wild life. forests, trees and other precious things to protect nature and environment. Legislation  is being needed where conscience fails.
More over only legislation are not enough separate task force is deployed to see it's proper execution. It is irony of human behavior. Unless spiritual awareness is increased, we will not understand value of life of others .People offer flowers to God to please him. By plucking them, we deny them right to live. Just think if God is happy

or unhappy with such gifts to him  . I do not think he can be happy.
So live and allow others to live. I appreciate a wedding invitation card lying on my table which said----- " No Gift, No flowers--Your blessings are more than enough for us ---!!!. At least there exists  someone caring for flower .Let us learn to respect nature and beauty.

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

JAINISM---CAN GOD SEE ALL OF US---------???

I was attending summer camp by Gurudeo for kids education for   
(Sanskar Shibir). It was meant for imparting preliminary of Jainism to them. I was very much impressed by it, hence sharing for readers.

Since they were under ten years of age the lecturers were giving preliminary information of sins and good deeds etc. The session  was being followed by questions and answers. Two or three questions by kids made me surprised and delighted. The questions were simple but much difficult to answer .Those question are summarized  hereby

1-Can we see God-----?
2-Can God see us------?
3-Where do God live-----? Whether they live in sky since we always look above if we are in problem they live in holy places like temple ?
4-What is death--? Why some gets abnormal  other than natural one?
I heard the answers with passions. They were summarized as follow.
1-We cannot see God on our present planet Earth. But if we happens to be in Mahavidhehakhetra we can see Arihant Bhagwan known as Viharman Bhagwan and Kewali. Sidda Bhagwan are in body less form so human cannot see them. Here God is Kevaldyani Bhagwan. Other gods (Lokikdeo ) are not covered for our vision purpose.. 

2-Yes both Arihanta and Siddha Bhagwan can see us- Bhagwatisutra.

3-Siddaha Bhagwan are liberated souls they live in high sky place known as Siddhasheela at the end of Universe, God is not living in temples. It is man made arrangement. It is our faith that we imagine God to be in statue since we have limitations to see them with our physical eyes. Lokikdeo means soul residing in heaven ,they are not God but have much wealth and power due to their accumulated good deeds. They may cause some favor to us if warranted by our good deeds. Arihant and Siddha only guide us to walk on salvation path. They do not grant any favor to devotees nor they curse opponents.
4--When one completes present life term built in previous life soul leaves present body known as death. Soul leaves immediately for another predetermined location and reach there in micro time.

Second part of your question is too difficult to understand for your age. Once you study Jainism fully you can know why souls are being killed by others. Briefly if we kill some soul they build negative revenge feeling for us and some of them may kill us in their next birth with revenge feeling to nullify the revenge. Hence if we adopt live and let live philosophy we can avoid such misfortunes.
I came back from camp. But in my mind I was puzzled for one question that whether God can see us? Because if He is not watching us how good things done can be noticed ? I turned to Aagams to check whether God can see us. I got the answer in 14/10th chapter of Bhagwatisutra. One can refer it for more clarity and knowledge.
Pujya Bhagwan Mahaveerswami has answered questions of 

PujyaGurugautamswani on this subject. He informed that Siddha can see and know ordinary human .They also can see other Siddhas and Arihant as well. They do not have organs they see Dyan and Darshan
Similarly Arihant Bhagwan and Kevaldyani can see and know all of those three Only Siddhabhagwan cannot speak. We are not in front of them constantly. For it they have to use special Dyanaupayog. Thus it satisfied my query can HE  see  us--Definitely yes-so carry on with good work and cutting of sins. Karma theory is there to watch us and plan results for us. We call it destiny. Thus we conclude the session.

JAIJINEDRA------------!!!---------- JAI MAHAVEER----------!!!.

JAINISM--PACHKKAN--SELF IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS-----!!!

Jainism believes in control over five organs. Winning over self is too difficult than winning over enemies. Self imposed restrictions on self for consumption and comforts is termed as Pachhakhan.

It is part of Aabhyantar Tap meant for soul. It plays a great role in reducing bad Karmas. With lot of balance  of good deeds one may afford to have many pleasures for comforts and consumption in exchange of money. Still if one selects to have own rules and restrictions and opts for simple living he is walking on the path of 

 salvation. For taking Pachhakhan one has to simply take oath by one self. One may also seek it from Sugurudeo. It can be crafted to suit individual requirements. Thus one can think not to take food after sunset. One can know the details from Gurudeo or books.

 In Bhagwatisutra Bhagwan Mahaveer swamiji explained concept of Pachhakahn in 07/02 chapter. Before taking Pachhakhan one must have knowledge of living and non-living things so that he can minimize use of living things like water, roots, vegetables, fruits etc.
He has provided two divisions of Pachhakhans i.e. Mulaguna Pachhakhan and Uttarguna Pachhakhan either entirely or partially. One interesting thing to be noted in this context is that only human race and selected animals with five organs can go for Pachhkan.     Souls in hell or from heaven can not go for it. Pachhakhan taking immediately changes category of human from Avirati to Virati--
 ( with Pachhakhan).Virati enjoys all good Karmas building as a result of Pachhakhan. Next life of Deologa is possible for them.

Human actions are divided into three category. Actions done by self, ordered to be get done by others and approving actions of others. All 3 actions may be supported by any of  mind, speech or body. Thus with permutation and combination there are 49 options are created for Pachhakhans, Combination of it is being called Yog and Karan. Yog means involvement and Karan means actions as per own choice.

Thus one can suitably choose the oath he can perform by Yog and Karan. Fully giving up requires three Karan and three Yog.

Now let us discuss how practically Pachhakhans are being taken. If one decides while going to sleep that he will not eat any thing for 50 minutes after sun rises ,he can take Pachhakhan of Navkarsi -if the oath is extended for three hours from sun rise he will have to take oath of Porshi. Minimum Navkarshi is desirable.

 Similarly for ordinary days, one can select only to eat maximum five vegetables, five liters of water and so on for other eatables. One can also decides that on Thithies (specified days like-2,5.8.14.15), he will not eat after sunset or will not eat roots For details one can refer 14 Niyams and twenty six Pachhakhan as provided in Anuvrata in Pratikaman. After due study one can decide possible one Pachkhan.
Similarly one can go for material pleasure curtailment. For example restriction on use of fan, television, air conditioner etc. Pachhakhan implies sacrifice in favorable conditions. If doctors prescribe limits on salt and sugar to control high blood pressure and diabetes and then one go to have  Pachhakan of sweets and salty items-then it will not amount to Pachhkhans. It involves care for body as advised.

Till all is going well go for sacrifice or Pachhakhan and prove to one  self that -Yes ,I am not slave of organs, I am master of them and can put restrictions on them up to a permissible limit. I am inheriting the great legacy of Jitendra Bhagwan--who have conquered all organs. If one has faith and willingness then procedural part is not difficult. One can even say I will not eat for 1 hour till I speak Navkar Mantra-it will amount to Pachhakhan. So friend let all of us Jain devotees
use this easiest way to reduce bad Karma's layers,

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

JAINISM-84 MILLIONS PLACES OF BIRTH--YONI----!!!

84 is current number of this blog. Incidentally  same number 84 is important one in Jainism. As in Pratikamansutra there is a chapter of "84 millions Jivyoni Khamatkhamna Path." Yoni means the place of probable birth. To understand it, we can divide the related theory in following 3 parts. This classification can give better idea of subject.

Kaay means a bunch or Samuh representing common broad features. 

Majority of souls starts their life journey from Tiriyanch Gati having Nigod nature ( tiny plant,single body accommodating many souls).In Jainism  for example a onion may be one from outside but many souls within.With eight Karmas mixed with Kashay, soul decides his next life. With invisible Karman (  Karmas bunch) and Tejas body--,

( Aura and digestion power ) soul enters mother's womb in prefixed Gati. It was shaped as per conduct of his immediate last birth where soul has built it's Gati, Naam, term, Jaati, Structure and experience. 

The soul gets food to build body provided by relationship entered by his mother and father, Some Gati ( called as Sammuchhim does not require  parents.) Above two invisible bodies remains with soul till salvation. Odarik, Vekriaya and Aaharak are other three bodies type.

1-Preliminary Division.-----In this category broad classification is available of 4 Yonis--Hell, Tiriyanch ( plant and animals ).Human and Deo or Heaven. There is more divisions based on organs one to five. It is termed as Ekendriya to Panchedriya ( one to five organs.).

2-Summary.All categories are summarized in 24 Dandak (division ) in Bhagwatisutra .The classification is based the on common feature.
They are1 place in any of 7 hell/Narki--- Rayanprabha to Ahesaptma 
+ 5 places of non-movable living (Sthawar- air, water, soil ,fire, tree )
+ 3 places in insufficient organs ( Vikalendriya ).
+ 1 place in Tiriyanch with five organs viz animals and birds.
+ 1 place in Human +13 places in Devata-heaven
 (10 Asurkumara+one Vyanvantar+1 Jyotishi+1 Vemanik=Devata).
Bhagwatisutra contains minute details of such Yonis and causes of birth in a particular Yoni. It can be an important study for readers.
3-Detailed Information.-7 lac ( Millions) earth +7 lac water+7 lac 
fire+7 lac air +10 lac special plants +14 lac ordinary plants +2 lac with two organs +2 lac with three organs +2 lac four organs +4 lac hell+ 4 lac heaven+4 lac Tiriyanch Panchedriya+14 lac human in all total 84 millions birth places. We had taken birth in most places. The two class of Vanaspatikaay is Pratek and Sadharan. Pratek mean one and separate body while in later many souls are combined in one.   

Unfortunately Abhavi  (not eligible for salvation) souls may pass through all these Yonis  one after another .While Bhavi souls may need not pass through all these Yonis continuously. Depending upon his built Karmas and Purushartha (efforts) to cut Karma ,he will get salvation. Provided he cuts off all positive and negative Karmas.Soul have 1 to 5 organs. Their classification is based on organs. Ekendray has only body, it is added by taste in Beindyiya, next addition is for    nose then eye and last it is  ears. Tree, shell. ant, butterfly and human are the examples for souls from one to five organs.     

All births and deaths causes so much pain and sufferings. One can be surprised to note that in each category, we have completed numerous birth and death cycles. It is really a surprising and alarming truth.
Let us try to minimize such cycles by adopting principles of Jainism and walking on road of Bhagwan Mahaveer. Only with Moksha or
salvation we can give full stop to shunting between all those places. One can also refer 25-Twenty five Bol for a study it all at a glance.

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