Quotations from scriptures: Selections from TATTVAARTH SUTRA  Acharya Umaswati's TATTVAARTH SUTRA is a systematic and comprehensive presentation of the principles of Jainism. The eminent acharyas have demonstrated a penetrating insight in systematizing these concepts of reality, as is evident from the exceptional nature of the logical structure and the level of sophistication of Jain metaphysics.

Quotations From Acharya Umaswati's TATTVAARTH SUTRA  (The four instincts are): procuring nourishment (AAHAAR SAMJNA), avoiding danger (BHAYA SAMJNA), seeking sensual pleasure (MAITHUN SAMJNA) and accretion of material (PARIGRAH SAMJNA). All living beings, including the one-sensed ones, have these natural instincts to a lesser or greater degree. Link to Complete Article

'Eight Verses In Praise Of Bhagwaan Mahaveer' is a meaningful prayer written in Sanskrit by Pandit Bhag Chandra.

MAHAVEERAASHTAK STOTRA  (Bhagwaan Mahaveer's) doctrine, comparable to a vast, profound and pure Ganges of knowledge, with waves of multifarious viewpoints, is a source of inspiration to worldly beings. Link to Complete Article

From Religious Books:  The present article brings out the distinctive features of the Jain religion.

Jainism: A Distinctive Religion  Like Brahmanism and Buddhism, Jainism might be defined as a "way to escape" not from death but from life; but unlike either of them, it hopes to escape not into nothingness, nor into absorption but into a state of being without (alien) qualities, emotions or relations and removed from the possibilities of rebirth.  Link to Complete Article

This article raises the question: Can renunciation be equated with charity?

Ultimate Renunciation  It should be pointed out that internal possessions include delusion, attachment and aversion, and feelings of affection toward external objects. Renunciation entails avoiding these passions, thoughts and feelings. One should give up delusions of perception and conduct (DARSHAN MOHA and CHAARITRA MOHA).  Link to Complete Article

President Wilson had agreed to enter World War I because it was perceived as a war to end all wars. However, conflicts are continuing all over the world. Evidently, the solution to the problems of the world lies in nonviolence.

Nonviolence And Relativism: Means To Heal The Scourge Of Terrorism According to Umaswati, the author of TATTVAARTH SUTRA, nonviolence is unlimited, tolerance unconditional, and reverence for life supreme. There is no question of 'just war'. Link to Complete Article

Jainism does not support dogma - we Jains have no commandments to follow. Consequently, Jains have to adopt a code of conduct based on their concept of reality.

Answers To Some Frequently Asked Questions  Jainism does not believe in any supernatural or superhuman entities. It believes that all things and events follow the laws of nature. So there is no room for miracles in Jainism. Being a good person entails creating an atmosphere of trust and well-being by practicing virtues such as nonviolence, truth and non-possessiveness and minimizing passions like anger, greed, fear and pride. An individual resolves to adopt these virtues by his/her own freewill. Practice of ethics for fear of hell or bad karma involves passions. Similarly, doing good deeds because of the lure of heaven or beneficial karma or comforts in the future is not of much avail. Link to Complete Article

Observations & Views: It is hoped that our readers will enjoy the concepts presented in this column.

Realizing the Virtue of Vegetarianism Link to Complete Article Eternal Religion: Unity and Diversity Link to Complete Article Facade of Religion Link to Complete Article