Quotations from scriptures: According to Jainism, rational knowledge does not mean blindly accepting the 'word' uttered by some 'guru' or written in the scripture. We Jains should study, observe and accept only what is logical based on our experience. This is the way to secure rational knowledge and attain supreme bliss in life.

Quotations From SAMAN SUTTAM The sagacious ones remain immersed in rational knowledge; they obtain satisfaction in knowing attributes of a pure soul; they treasure the contentment derived from enlightenment; thus they get inimitable happiness and enjoy supreme bliss. Link to Complete Article

 

From Religious Books: The illustrious acharya, based on his perceptive observations and personal experiences presents some important concepts for attaining peace of mind and happiness.

The Pursuit of Pleasure & Some Pressing Questions by Acharya Shri Mahaprajna Feelings of pleasure and pain, bondage and liberation are experienced by the ego, which stands between pure consciousness and the material world. It is from the relative point of view that we call the state of pure consciousness a state of bliss and freedom or liberation. This state exists in its own perfection in limitlessness or infinity and boundless bliss. It is a state higher than the state of sense experience, and therefore, one who has achieved the right vision raises himself from a lower state to a higher state. Link to Complete Article

Knowledge of Reality: The aspects of reality in Jainism involve an interplay between soul, karma and other entities of the universe. A thorough understanding of these interactions represents the first step toward spiritual uplift.

Soul and Karma by Smt. Alka Jain Worldly beings continually indulge in desirable and undesirable emotional states. Such thought-activity results in the bondage of karmas of various kinds, merit (PUNYA) and demerit (PAP), beneficial (ISHTA) and harmful (ANISHTA), and, welcome union (SANYOG) and painful separation (VIYOG). In other words, karmas are the material particles that become associated with a worldly soul on account of its emotional states of attachment (RAAG) and aversion (DWESH). Link to Complete Article

Science of Living: Our lives are profoundly influenced by the animate and inanimate objects in our environment. We are expected to keep our focus on what is beneficial for us and for the environment.

Man and His Environment by Jagdish Sahaya By far the most important part of the overall environment of man is the social environment. It differs from one nation to another, one period to another, one class to another, and its influences are outside the control of any one individual. The social system needs to be remodeled such that individual success does not conflict with communal welfare. This can be achieved by encouraging such social traits as altruism, readiness to cooperate, sympathetic enthusiasm, and so forth, instead of putting a premium on many anti-social traits such as egoism, cunning, and insensitivity to human misery. Link to Complete Article

From April 1991 Issue: Dr. Kamal Chand Sogani is an eminent scholar of religion and philosophy. In this article, the distinguished scholar presents some perceptive thought-provoking concepts.

Unfolding of Man by Dr. Kamal Chand Sogani We should remember that intentions, feelings and thoughts that prompt noble actions are extremely important, though others can only notice speech and physical acts. A householder and a monk can play their respective roles in society by exhibiting proper values externally while leading life without internal values. Some people fulfill various needs of society by their authority, wealth, knowledge, expertise, position and judgement. In the background, if they indulge in misdeeds or if their character does not measure up to their position, people may disregard these deficiencies in view of their usefulness and influence. Such people exploit society in a variety of ways because of their particular power. Link to Complete Article

Our readers are expected to enjoy these delightful moral stories.

Three Moral Stories by Shri Yash Pal Jain The monk thought for a while and then said, "O king, you yourself are responsible for your grief. Your thinking is deluded. Desires can never be fulfilled completely. Mind is an active drifter. The more you satisfy it, the more it wants. Desires are like vines that continue to spread. One does not attain happiness by fulfilling one's desires, rather by curtailing them." Link to Complete Article

Here are some thought-provoking reflections about the Jain system.

Water Shall Have To Be Filtered by Dr. Nemi Chand Jain Well, today, the fish (the soul of Jainism) is not only thirsty but it is also suffering in polluted and poisonous waters. Can't we take up the bold task of filtering the waters of the streams of religion and society? Link to Complete Article Similar concepts are presented in the column 'Observations & Views'.