jainism: October 2015

Oct 27, 2015

Jain Symbols

The comprehensive Jain symbol consists of a Jain emblem, crescent of the moon, three dots, the Swastika, ther Om, the palm of a hand with the wheel (Chakra) inset, and an outline figure encompassing all symbols and several other symbols. Each individual symbol is also separately used in Jainism.

Jain emblem
During the auspicious 2500th Nirvana anniversary of Lord Mahavir Swami in 1975, the Jain community chose one image as an emblem for the Jain religion. This emblem represents the dedication and trust for the religion and the values and many important concepts to show the path to enlightenment by following the basic principles of AHIMSA (non-violence),
The Jain emblem is composed of many fundamental concepts and symbols. The outline of the image represents the universe as described in Jain scriptures. The Jain emblem consists of three LOKS (realms). The upper portion indicates URDHAVA LOK (heaven), the middle portion indicates MADHYALOK (material world) and the lower portion indicates ADHOLOK (hell).

Jain emblem

According to Gommatsara - Jiva-Khand the Loka (Universe) is 14 Rajus high at the base, with a thickness at the base is 7 Rajus, then gradually decreases to one Rajus at a height of 7 Rajus, i.e. at the Middle of the Universe where the Middle World or the region of the human and subhuman being is situated. Then it gradually grows to a thickness of 5 Rajus at the point where the sixth Heavens ends, and which marks the Middle of the Upper World, or the region of the heavenly beings; finally it gradually decreases to a thickness of one Rajus at the top of the Universe. It is here, that the Sidha Ksetra, or the region of the eternally liberated souls is situated. (See the figure given here) .
In the Jain emblem the semi-circular on the topmost portion symbolizes SIDDHASHILA, which is a zone beyond the three realms. All of the Siddhas or the liberated bodiless souls reside on this forever, liberated from the cycle of life and death.
The three dots on the top of emblem symbolizes TRIRATNA (three jewels) – SAMYAK DARSHAN (right belief), SAMYAK GYAN (right knowledge), & SAMYAK CHARITRA (right conduct). Every creature in this world can become free from the cycle of life and death. This gives the message that it is necessary to have TRIRATNA in order to attain MOKSHA.These dots also represent the three worlds: the lower region including hells, the upper region including heavens, and the middle region which includes earth. All worldly (non-liberated) souls take birth, live, die, and suffer (pains or pleasures) in these three worlds.

Three LOKS (realms) or Universe described in
Jain scriptures

SWASTIKA: In the top portion, four arms of SWASTIKA symbolizes the four GATI (destiny): NARAK (demon), TRIYANCH (animal), MANUSHYA (human) and DEV (angel). It represents the perpetual nature of the universe in the MADHYALOK (material world), where a creature is destined to one of those states based on their Karmas (deeds). It also represents the four columns of the Jain Sangh (community): Sadhus, Sadhvis, Shravaks and Shravikas - monks, nuns, female and male laymen. It also represents the four characteristics of the soul: infinite knowledge (Anant Jnan), infinite perception (Anant Darshan), infinite happiness (Anant Sukh), and infinite energy (Anant Virya).

The symbol of hand in the lower portion shows fearlessness and symbolize the feeling of AHIMSA (non-violence ) towards all the creatures in this world. The circle in the middle of the hand symbolizes SAMASARA (reincarnation cycle) and the 24 spokes represents the preaching from the 24 Tirthankars (enlightened souls), which can be used to liberate a soul from the cycle or reincarnation.
The meaning of the mantra at the bottom of mblem (PARSPAROGRAHO JIVANAM) is "Live and Let Live". All creatures should help one another.

Wheel: The wheel of dharma (Chakra) with 24 spokes represents the religion preached by the 24 Tirthankars consisting of nonviolence (Ahimsä), compassion, Anekäntvaad, Aparigraha and other virtues, and equality of all the souls.

The symbol of hand

Swastika
The Swastika is a sacred symbol in Jainism. The four sides of Swastika symbolize the four forms of existence of the worldly (non-liberated) souls. The four forms are; heavenly beings, human, Tiryanch (which includes animals, birds, and plants), and hellish beings. It reminds us that worldly souls undergo a continuous cycle of birth, suffering, and death in these four forms. Hence one should follow the true religion and be liberated from suffering.
The three dots represent the Jain path of liberation (Jain trinity): Right Faith (Samyak Darshan), Right Knowledge (Samyak Jnäna), and Right Conduct (Samyak Chäritra), which together lead to liberation.
The crescent of the moon represents the region known as Moksha. This region is beyond the three worlds and it is the permanent place where the liberated souls reside.

AUM or OM
The Sanskrit word Om is made up of five sounds and letters; a, a, ä, u, and m: The first letter "a" represents Arihants (human beings who have eradicated all four Ghäti Karma. It includes Tirthankars who have established religious order) · The second "a" represents A-shareeri (A-shareeri means without physical body, liberated soul or Siddha or perfected being). The third letters "ä" represents Ächärya (Ascetic who is the head of congregation). The fourth letter "u" represents Upädhyäy (Ascetic teacher) The fifth letter "m" represents Muni (Sädhu/Sädhvi or monks/ nuns who are initiated (who have taken Dikshä) by taking five Mahävrat (great vows)).
Hence the Om represents the salutation to the five revered personalities in the Jain religion. Om is a short form of the Namokar Mahämantra.

Other Symbols
Ashtamangal
These are eight auspicious symbols Swastika, Shrivasta (an auspicious sign on the chest), Nandhyavarta (complex swastika), Vardhamanaka, Bhadrasana (a holy seat), Kalasha (Holy pitcher), Minyugala (Fish-couple) and Darpana (Mirror). They have been auspicious since time immemorial and have been depicted in the Kalpasutra. According to the scriptures every Jain has to draw them with pure un-broken rice-grains before the icon of the Tirthankar. Some have reduced this custom to the drawing of a swastika, along with three heaps of rice-grain symbolising knowledge, vision and character.

Tithankara emblems:
Each Tirthankara has a symbol of their own for their unique identification. The symbols that are found in the centre right below each statue signify the particular Tirthankara.

Flag: Flags used as red for Siddh, yellow for Acharya, white for Arihant, green for Upadhyay and blue for Sadhu.

Jain Flag: Dduring the temple's anniversary the flag is placed on the 'mountain' (shikhar) of the temple. This flag is unique and different from the other types of flags. The flag is very long and dangling.

BITTER DISCOURSES #1

"By virtue of being parents, you may educate and make your children properly qualified, but see to it that you do not over qualify them, so that tomorrow they may 'disqualify' you. If you make this mistake now, then you will have to repent tomorrow in your old age. I am telling you this only because some of the people have committed this type of mistake in their lives, and they have been repenting it. When things go out of control, it is futile to repent for it."
- Revolutionary Saint
MUNISHRI TARUNSAGARJI

Oct 26, 2015

Jain Prayers of Universal Obeisance, Forgiveness, Peace, and Friendship

• Namo Arihantanam|
• Namo Siddhanam|
• Namo Ayariyanam|
• Namo Uvajjhayanam|
• Namo Loe Savva Sahunam|
• Eso Panch Namokaro;
Savva Pavap Panasano|
• Mangala Nancha Savvesim;
Padhamam Havai Mangalam.

Namo Arihantanam means
I bow to all enlighten beings (Arihants) who have attained perfect knowledge, vision, bliss, and power and have shown the proper path of liberation that is Right Knowledge, Right Perception, and Right Conduct; which brings the cycles of birth, death, and misery to an end.

Namo Siddhanam means
I bow to all liberated souls (Siddhas) who have attained the state of perfection and immortality by following the path of liberation and achieving freedom of all karma.

Namo Ayariyanam means      -        I bow to the head of the religious congregations (Acharyas), who follow the path of liberation, preach the principles of religion, and inspire us to live moral and spiritual life.

Namo Uvajjhayanam means      -       I bow to the ascetic teachers (Upadhyayas) who explain the true nature of the soul and karma from the religious scriptures and show us the importance of the spiritual life over the material life.

Namo Loe Savva Sahunam mean   -    I bow to all ascetics who strictly follow the five great vows of conduct, which are total nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy and non-possession; and inspire us to live a simple life.

Eso Panch Namokaro, Savva Pavap Panasano. Mangala Namcha Savvesim, Padhamam Havai Mangalam meansTo these five types of great souls I offer my obeisance. May such obeisance help diminish my transgressions and sins. Giving this praise is the most auspicious as to bring happiness.

As this mantra brings appiness and protects ones soul it is known as Atma Rakshak

Navkar Mantra.

Universal Forgiveness Prayer

Khamemi Savve Jiva, Savve Jiva Khamantu Me,
Metti Me Savve Bhuyesu, Veram Majham Na Kenai.

I grant forgiveness to all living beings. May all living beings grant me forgiveness.
My friendship is with all living beings. My enmity is totally nonexistent.

Universal Peace and Friendship Prayer

Shivmastu Sarva Jagatah, Par hit nirata bhavantu bhutaganah,
Doshah Prayantu Nasham, Sarvatra Sukhi bhavantu lokah.

May the whole Cosmos be blessed. May all beings engage in each other's well beings.
May all weakness, sickness and faults diminish and vanish. May everyone and everywhere be healthy, prosper, blissful, and peaceful.
Jain Prayer for peace
Peace and Universal Love is the essence of the Gospel preached by all Enlightened Ones.
The Lord has preached that equanimity is the dharma
Forgive do I creatures all, and let all creatures forgive me.
Unto all have I amity, and unto none enmity.
Know that violence is the root cause of all miseries in the world.
Violence, in fact, is the knot of bondage.
"Do not injure any living being."
This is the eternal, perrenial, and unalterable way of spiritual life.
A weapon, howsoever powerful it may be, can always be superseded by a superior one; but no weapon can, however.

Oct 25, 2015

Short story about Lord Mahaveer bahavan

Lord Mahaveera was the son of king Siddharatha who lived in Kundlpur City. His mother's name was Trishala. When Mahaveera became eight years old, he took the oath that I will not hurt any creature, not tell a lie and not to steal. He was in celibacy. He believed non-possession.

One day Prince Mahaveera was sitting in the palace with his friends. Suddenly he heard a noise on road. He came to know that an elephant was hurting every body. After hearing this, Prince Mahaveera reached there and caught the elephant. One day Mahaveera was playing in the garden with his friends, at the same time a black and a big snake came there. All the boys feared except Mahaveera who took it outside.

He did not marry in his life and at the age of thirty he became Digamber saint. He remained in meditation for twelve years and got knowledge. From forty-two years to seventy-two years he preached the people. At the age of seventy-two he went in salvation from Panwapur.

JAINISM

Jainism is one of the oldest religions of world. It believes in a universe without beginning, without end and without creator. Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankar , is mentioned in Rig Veda, the oldest scripture of Hinduism believed to be at least 5000 years old. The last of the 24 Tirthankars of this cycle of time was Lord Mahavira. Jainism became prominent religion in India at the time of Mahavira , who was born in about 599 B.C. in the town of Vyshali, (in the present day Bihar) in a royal family. At the age of 30 years Mahavira decided to leave his palace. For twelve years he practiced asceticism and meditated and ultimately started preaching.
Around 80 A. D. the Jainism was divided into two sects. The Svetambara or "white clad" and The Digambara or "sky clad". The Svetambara are more liberal in their interpretation of Mahavirals teaching regarding nudity and allow their monks to wear a white garment. Women are also allowed in their religion and monasteries accepting the possibility that they may find salvation. The Digambara are more traditionalists. They adhere to the old ideals that require their monks to go about naked. The Digambara sect believes that women have no chance of achieving salvation until they are reborn as men.
Ahimsa (Non-violence) is the basic philosophy of Jainism. Anekantvad (Non-absolutism) Syadvad (Relativity of truth) and Karma theory form the basis of Jain philosophy. The scriptures of Jainism are Agana (precepts) or Siddhantas- (treatises). Jain code of conduct includes: Ahimsa (non violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Aparigraha (non-possessiveness), and Brahmacharya (chastity). These are very similar to the Buddhist code of conduct.
Jainism does not believe in God as the creator of universe. The objective of Jainism is to make every effort for Moksha or Liberation from unending cycles of birth, death and re-birth and become a 'Jina'. For Jains the Jina is God. Every human being and every living being has the potential to become Jina or God. Jainism never became a dominant religion in India but always had a peaceful co-existence with Hinduism and Buddhism.
There are about 4 million followers of Jainism in India, predominantly present in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan and also in Delhi, U.P, Karnataka,Tamilnadu & Madhya Pradesh.
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