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Jain Study
Circular
Volume 31, Number
1, January-March 2010
Editorial Advisers:
Manish
Y. Modi (Mumbai), Richa Jain, Rashmi Jain, Sunita Jain, Dr. Ranjana Jain, Sundeep
Hora, Ranita Jain, Sean D. DeWitt, Brian Jain, Brittany Jain, Dr. Chandrakant
P. Shah
Glimpses of the January-March 2010 Issue
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Quotations from scriptures:
Selections from TATTVAARTH SUTRA
Acharya Umasvati, in the eighth chapter of TATTVAARTH SUTRA, brings
out features of karmic bondage, which can be compared to the role of
nucleic acids in the bodies of living beings and the working of the memory
of a computer. However, it
should be pointed out that karma particles are extremely minute and cannot
be subjected to any scientific experiments.
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Quotations From Acharya Umaswati's TATTVAARTH SUTRA
Needless to say that passions blemish the conduct of a worldly
being. It corrupts the
propitious qualities, such as nonviolence, modesty and contentment, of an
individual. The intensity and
duration of karmic bondage depend on passions. The efficacy of passions decreases from incessant to
slight. Thus passions of
incessant variety lead to the bondage of intense and enduring karmas, while
passions of slight variety cause the bondage of lenient and short-lived
karmas.
Link to
Complete Article
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Hinduism is called SANATAN DHARM – the eternal religion. Similarly, Jainism is also
eternal. It was not founded by
any individual. The Jain TEERTHANKARs
reinstate and reform it according to the needs of their times.
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Some Historical Aspects of Jainism
By Duli Chandra Jain
We Jains believe that the Jain religion is eternal. … The laws of nature like
gravitation and electromagnetism are also eternal. The gravitational force between the
various masses in the universe has always existed although in recent past,
it was discovered by Newton.
Jains hold a similar belief.
Jainism says that like the universe, truth is eternal. The Jain concepts such as
rationalism (SAMYAKTVA), relativism (SYAADAVAAD) and nonviolence (AHIMSA)
are eternal.
Link to
Complete Article
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A gem from July 1989 issue:
This article brings out the pristine nature of
Jainism and its meaningful practice.
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Genuine Practice Of The Jain Religion
By Dr. A. N. Upadhye
Jainism lays down certain ethical standards, which
are duly graded for the uplift of the individual as a social being. As long as he lives as a member of
society, he owes a good deal to the society in which he is living in
addition to what he owes to himself for his spiritual betterment.
Link
to Complete Article
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From July 1980 issue:
Forgiveness is the prime virtue that is practiced by Jains during the
celebration of spiritual awareness (PARYUSHAN).
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The Day Of Forgiveness
By Duli Chandra Jain & Avanindra Jain
Jains believe that spiritual advancement cannot be achieved without
sound physical health. They
also denounce physical and mental hardships in religious practices. Then why all the fasting and other
similar practices that go on during these religious days? Well, these are for regulating the
system physically and mentally at the end of the rainy season (in India). Further, depending on one’s ability
and physical condition, one can observe total fasts or partial fasts or no
fasts at all.
Link
to Complete Article
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An insightful view of the Jain religion that appeals to the young and
old alike.
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Observations & Views:
Our readers are expected to enjoy the thought-provoking concepts
presented in the following items:
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Spirit Of Indian Religions
Here is an interesting example of exchange of concepts between
religions. Jains believe that
the universe was not created by any supreme or superhuman entity and that
it evolves according to the laws of nature. According to A. L. Basham, “SAMKHYA [school of thought]
resembles Jainism in its rigid dualism and fundamental atheism. … Creation,
or rather evolution, is not due to the operation of a divinity, but to the
inherent nature of PRAKRITI – a term loosely translated ‘matter’.” The terminology is somewhat
different but the concepts are identical. Similar concepts appear in Gita.
Link
to Complete Article
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From the Jain Study Circle:
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