Thursday 4 September 2014

JAINISM SMALL THINGS THAT MATTERS-----!!!

Jain community have so far contributed much for the betterment of society. In traditional ways there are temples, hospitals, sanatoriums
,Upashray, Stanaks, college, educational aid trusts, money assistance  widows and poor section, concessional medical stores, libraries, and
cataract surgery, blood donation camp endless too much good works 

The new concepts that catches my attention are  Chowihar houses and pigeon houses. Chovihar houses is spreading it's wings in major metropolitan cities. They aim to serve foods to fellows who wants to follow Jainism. Most Jain do not take dinner after sunset. They also do not eat roots and prefer boiled or ash mixed water for drinking 
( Dhowan Pani ).They also avoid food in mixed restaurants mostly.
This is possible  only if they are at home. Now most of us Jain has to leave home for business trips, job or education. For such a class the Chovihar houses provide Jain food before sunset. Noble purpose behind running such houses is to help people following Jainism.
With this facility such devoted people can carry out their Pachkans smoothly. In sunlight we can see tiny insects and can avoid it. More over sunlight prevents bacteria. Better if we can follow it as routine.
 I attach herewith list of such houses in Mumbai available on net. Managing such houses is noble work of Dharmaprabhavana, I feel,
Second one is pigeon house. Most countries have it. In India, I can found one in Hyderabad-Malakpeth- through net. I am not aware of the founder, but must be follower of faith similar to the Jainism.    Pigeon, sparrows are vegetarian and innocent birds. To provide for their shelter and food is an excellent way to serve humanity. I very much appreciate such efforts for birds who are not able to speak.
For entire life, we run here and there to earn money and to build the empires for us and relatives. But just remember ,we also carry our obligations and responsibilities towards society, religion and nation.  If we can do our share for them that can certainly add to our good deeds. Small things done for others offers much more satisfaction and peace to us. Just have experience of same by doing possible small things for others as taught by Jainism. Arranging drinking water for bird in summer and other work like one can easily do.Same
distribution of blankets on street in winter, can be similar small but essentials job. All great and big things are small when initiated. Let us bear it in mind and start working for it. Let us give it a thought. To provide free medicines or free medical treatment  for Jain monks
can also fall in this category. Many doctors make it point to provide
their services to weaker section at free or reduced cost. The list is
endless. The thing needed is ready mind frame of all of us for such.


To cover all water taps in home with cloth bags, may look a small 
thing but it can protect tiny souls from water. Similarly to donate
unused wears in home to needy one also a good but needed one. On
road if some sharp objects like nail, blade or knife are noticed then
putting it on a safer place can ensure safety of next pedestrians. Thus
so many small things can be done to prove that a lamp of humanity
is still burning inside the soul. It can be done by small efforts, and less money. Even few sweet words can make difference for a person who is caught in some difficult situation. To help to accident victims, to put warning on oil slippery road such small care points can offer much consolation to sufferers Let us try ,think and practice possible.
In so many cities in India people run "Roti Bank" tempo visits and collects waste food. Opposite to Jodhpur railway station, I saw 24x7
run concessional food thali and tea at a minimum token fee of Rs.10.  In kitchen ladies can prefer to cut vegetables by hand instead of use of choppers. As such she can note tiny insects inside and initial little pain to vegetable. All put together is termed as Yatana care for other



A sticky note of  "Namo Sidhhanam" at eating places at home or Derasar or Sthanak can easily remind to chat Mantra  before food.
Just give a thought to  concept, options can be endless coming out.

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



Monday 1 September 2014

JAINISM-ESSENTIALS FOR AALOCHANA AND KHAMATKHAMNA-----------!!!

All Jains have celebrated this Savastari to it's fullest. The last day of Parryushan is marked as Savastari and supported with Aalochana and Khamatkamna. Both are much important soul cleaning tools indeed.
Aalochana means regretting own misdeeds and  "Khamatkhamna " means asking forgiveness from all living souls for harshness if any towards them. It is not to be done as a formality but requires very meaningful efforts from the soul seeking it backed by real feelingd.

If a same sin is committed frequently then it takes concrete shape making it difficult to nullify it. But if one adds a feeling of regret and decides not to make it again or to a lesser extents ,then it takes a washable form. A yearly review of own deeds make it possible 
Gurudeo told to spare twenty minutes for these two rituals( on daily
basis if possible). First we have to list down all 18 sins on a plain paper. Then to review past year being cut off date as Savastari. We have to weigh compulsions and intensity to commits such sins. We can warn our soul that it is prohibited by Jinwani but committed by us. So just have regret and decide not to do it again or to maximum possible lower extent. It is true Aalochana to reduce burden of soul.

Second part is Khamatkhamna. It is not just picking up mobiles and to call known circle or to send mails of Khamatkhamna. Again we have to note down five major disputes in past, heated arguments and quarrels that we made during the last year. At least two cases you will note that you were wrong or could have been avoided. Just think of the injury to receiving soul. You have to address to them with heart felt sorry  saying "I was rude for that time, please forgive me" It can be a true Khamatkhamna. It is a two way ritual--secondly we have also to forgive others who dealt with you with cruelty just as Bhagwan forgave Chandkoushik snake.
Medical research has covered study of heart to good extent but study of brain is yet to be completed. Heart may forget the mistakes of others but brain tends to keep Xerox of it to it's tiny cell for future.
To wash it out it fully from it is a real challenge. Let us use this unique opportunity given by Jainism to clean our soul and march on road of salvation. Let us start new year with clean slate for self and others. Be careful for dealings with others. The homes where seniors are available has tradition to do Aalochana in group at home from books known as "Brihataalochna" by Shri Ranjitji Shrawak
and Jadavjisati. It covers all sins in lucid language and stanzas. One
must aim to do from it.
             
JAI JINEDRA-----------!!!---- JAI MAHAVEER------------------!!!.




Friday 22 August 2014

MOST AUSPICIOUS WEEK FOR JAIN--PARYUSHANPARVA.---------!!!

The most awaited week of Praushana starts from 23/08/2014 and ends on 30/08/2014.( One day difference may occur due to Thithi calculation by various sub sections.).One can follow as his branch.
The last day is celebrated as Savastari. It falls due after 50 days of Chaturmas with balance of 70 days of it. As per  Samyangsutra's 70 Samyay it always falls due on Shukla Panchmai of Bhadrapada month. Jains attach so much importance to this days since for most souls next life fixation chances are higher on this particular day. This particular time is unknown to all living souls hence it is always better to have good thoughts all this week. First seven days are meant for preparation and last 8th day is examination day.
By tradition in this week Jainism followers visit Sthanak and Jain Temples to listen Antagarhasutra read by Gurudeo. The Sutra covers stories of recent past of this Avasarpinikaal .It covers souls who attained salvation .Total stories are 90.Out of it 41male and 10 female souls got salvation in the era of Arishtanemiji Bhagwan. 
16 male and 23female gender got salvation in period of Bhagwan Mahaveerswamiji. Listening can Shrawak motivate to take Diksha.
The purpose behind reading this Sutra is that the listener shall purify their thinking process and think to change their life style so as to march on road of salvation as a minimum. He can also take Diksha.
The inspirational stories covers life of Arjunamali, Queens of Lord Krishna and king Shrenik, Gajsukumalji and others. The Shrawak knowing the importance keep themselves busy in  various religious i.e. fast ,Samaik, Swdhya ,Aalochana ,Pratikaman ,Sawar, Poushdha etc.So many couples take vows of Sheelvrata ( Bramachary)-the most difficult Tap ever. In spite of wife and husband relationship they decide to end physical relations for ever. It's a great vow of life.
This great week is said to be celebrated even by Devata from heaven and Thirthankar Bhagwan in Mahavedhaha region.

Newcomers ,NRI,Students and youngsters living out of home ,working out of county may not be aware of all of it but definitely they can try not to eat roots ,fruits, vegetables and have dinner before sunset and Jaap of Navkar Mantra in this week to best of own ability.
Movies or picnics in this week can be avoided. In simple word have the week with most simple ways as monks follow to the maximum extent. On last day we have to seek forgiveness for mistakes committed in the year knowingly or unknowingly form all living souls. It clears personal account with each others.
Overall very good week to add good deeds and cut off bad Karmas. For major part of year we enjoy outer connections, let us keep a week reserved for inner connection and purification of our souls.
Let us move to purification of soul. Just determine to celebrate last day with full day fast .Take care to break fast next day minimum after sunrise with hot milk with pure Ghee, drinking water is not advisable while breaking fast. One can search for Parna centers in near by area, Mostly all Jain Temples and places of Chaturmas of Maharajasaab try to keep this facility. All the best--

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









Friday 15 August 2014

JAINISM-HINTS NEXT BIRTH AND LAST MOMENTS------------!!!

Bhagwan Mahveerswami in 07/01 chapter of  Aagam Bhagwatisutra discussed second part of this subject with Gurugautamswami in the chapter titled " Anahark and Alpaharak ka kaal " for last moments.
He told that soul has minimum food intake for two times in a life span-first at the time of birth and secondly in the last phase of life. The reason behind it being minimization of soul in fewer organs of body at departure time. It confirm the old saying "Anna Chuta To Ghar Chuta "( If intake is deprived likely home may be deprived ).
In 3/04 Shatak Bhagwatisutra ( Utapanna Honewale Jivoki Leshya) and in seventeenth chapter of Pradhyapanasutra Bhagwan has also described Leshya in details. For details one can refer  Aagam Sutra.
03/04 chapter says that which ever type Leshya soul captures before death, with same Leshya the soul takes new birth. With passing of Antrarmuharta ( less than 48 minutes) from particular Leshya and balance of it for for another one Antramuharta soul goes for his next birth. Reference to book can provide more clarity and explanation.
It is the life long devotion which gives the soul good Leshya at his  last beathing automatically .Leshya already being explained earlier.
Now let us  recollect what is Leshya and  it's related aspects.
For easy understanding Leshya is a color meter of soul. There are six Lesya and numerous sub types of it. Sentiments give this color to us.
 Out of six Leshya  Krishna (black),Neel (blue),Kapot (grey)-are bad three and Tejo (yellow),Padam (light yellow),Shukla ( bright white) all are good three one. Good intentions help to build good Leshya.
Transactions of mind, speech and body generate Yoga of a soul.
The feelings, intensity and sensitivity with which such Yoga is done  or performed causes creation and fixation of Leshyas to soul.
Soul going to hell is marked by any one out of first three bad Leshyas while soul going for Vemainikdeo is marked with any of last three good Leshyas. Other  sub details--Ekendriya,Bhavanpati and Vyanvantar---------first four, Viklendriya-----first three, human and Tiriyanchpanchedriya all six Leshyas.Last three are good Leshyas.
Leshyas accompany soul up to 13th Gunastana. Soul enters fourteen The Ayogigunstana and gets salvation. Leshays remains constant in hell and heaven. The study reveals importance of emotions.
Leshaya guidance helps us to maintain calmness and even state of mind in testing times. If the sufferings are faced with Karma theory in mind it ensures good Leshya's results for soul for cool sufferings.
 It makes us more vigilant in our conduct and dealing with others. So always remember to have good Leshyas all the time.

JAI JINEDRA--------------!!!-------JAI MAHAVEERA---------!!!.

Monday 4 August 2014

JAINISM----INDIA AND U.S.A. DIFFERENCES----------!!!.

I happened to meet my relative after a gap of three months. She returned from U.S after completing her assignment over there. I casually asked her how was the trip--how were the people and what difference she found if compared to our beloved country India.
So far I avoided to cover personal things in this blog. Here I am sharing her views  to account for good things of human behavior.
Her trip was fantastic She found the people very awesome. One quality she liked about them was their equality towards all human beings. She told me that those people are good with every one. Once you have eye contact with them they will definitely respond with a smile .The attitude less behavior in spite of achievement is a special feature of the people. The personal attachment might be less but they respect every individual. It is an encouraging begin once you meet.
In our country we search for various common link in form of family,
friend ,relative, gender, caste, location, business connections, city.
state etc.to respond. If there is no common link ,we behave with them as a man from another planet. Here we fear marketing trap and cheating so we restrain ourselves from establishing new connections.

Here there is too much attachment if the relations are backed by a common link. Such deep attachment causes building Mahamohniya.
Karmas. To adhere to relations we may commit sins like favoritism, cheating. undue preferences, denying others legitimate rights etc. All these causes more sins for us. People over there are some what individualist busy in work, money ,new ideas and self comfort and enjoyment. If  they have a spirituality connection  and get tips from Jainism ,they can work better for salvation-she felt. No doubt this her first impression and short span of her stay can not bring all good things immediately.

Second thing she liked for them was manners and high regards for women. It is evident in road crossing, during travelling, assistance to pick up your luggage, opening doors and so on. It's nice to adopt it. 
Thirdly they are very much well mannered and law binding humans. Following Law and order due to fear of law forcing agency is not evident any where. That can be reason of  comparatively less deaths in road accidents and less traffic jams. The people are very fond of
democracy and loves individual liberty. They do not waste food in Restaurants, balance food  being taken as parcel to home.     Only thing she disliked was free license for weapons and it's probable misuse. Secondly self love may cause more mental tensions and make one prone to problems of aloofness. Thirdly commodities rates are comparative costly it is okay as compared to earning level. Medical treatment is too costly unless backed by insurance coverage.

She has limitations to judge the political pattern and Government policies since she is too young for the subject. But it is the people who builds the nation and she appreciated them. other thing big roads, skyscraper, good infrastructure came as a result of economy  of  the developed status of country. But for her she missed Jainism culture existence. No Sadhus majority of non vegetarians. This is the only reason she do not wish to settle there in spite of opportunities
I ended the topic saying let us exchange good qualities from them and make our country advance in equality and manners by offering some spiritual teachings in return. Let us give the exchange a try.

JAI JINENDRA-------!!!---------- JAI MAHAVEERA--------!!!.



Friday 1 August 2014

JAINISM-----CLOSING 18 SINS ACCOUNT-----!!!

Some of us might be anxious to know what is  fate of  attached sins?. Will they stay with human soul for ever, or there can be a time when  all sins account can be closed and nil sin status can be obtained by us in future.--? Let us examine it with reference to Aagam Bhagwatiji.
Sins are as a river continue to flow unless get itself mixed to ocean.

To similar query by Guru Guatamswami ,Mahaveer Bhagwan has provided answer in 26th Bandhi Shatak of Bhagwatisutra, which I share briefly herewith for viewers of this blog for clarification.
Bhagwan has stated classes of soul and sins done by soul as follow-
1-Committed sin, committing sins and will continue to commit sins. Y+Y+Y. For such souls, there is no closing of sins account.
2-Committed sins. committing sins but will not commit sins--------.
Y+Y+N. Soon they will realize mistake and will correct it.
3-Committed sins, not committing sins but will commit sins--------.
Y+N+Y. It happens if the soul gave up correct faith in sometime---.
4-Committed sins, not committing sins  and will not commit sin----.
Y+N+N. Such souls are in at present in last phase to obtain salvation.
Thus we can see that committed sins is common for all souls. There is not a single soul who has not committed sins or no sin history.
Thus even all liberated souls have history of sins. With Nirjara they, 
(cutting off Karma )freed themselves from it forever and liberated.
Now let us see bifurcation of all above four categories group wise.
A. Abhavi souls ( Not eligible for salvation) belongs to first category. Unfortunately nature of their souls do not never approve Jainism. 
B. Souls without Leshaya who are in Ayogi state ( No change in status by transaction by mind. body and speech) falls in this fourth category. Soon they will get liberated by reaching Siddasheela.

C. Bhagwan has provided 47 sub section of main 11 sections for all souls and discussed the changes in above four classes. The main 11 sections are related to soul, Leshaya, Pakshik, faith, absence of the knowledge, with Dyan, Sadnya, gender, Kashay, Yog and utilization 
Humans fall in all 47 categories as  given on following lines of blog.
1-Aleshi,Kevaldyani and Ayogi-------They all have only forth option.
2-Mixed faith, No gender ,No-Kashayi- They -third and forth option.
3-Correct faith. correct knowledge and Asadnni--first ,third and 4 th.
4-Krishnapakshik--- first and third options.
5-Balance all 33 sub sections can have all options as detailed in Sutra

Thus with our Purushartha ( Maximum utilization of human capacity ,we can reach to fourth options. For deep understanding one needs to visit said chapter of Bhagwatisutra. It can assure that even with bad past history we can hope for bright future of clean slate as envisaged for forth option. As the case of  Shri Arjun Mali of Antagarh Sutra.
Sins and Karma are like a flow of river. New water is added, old
drops are being left and the cycles goes until the river get herself
 mixed with ocean. With hope and deep determination, let us start the mission of complete closing of sin account. Good luck best wishes-!.

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