From July 1991 Issue:
"Believe it or not, religion prompts us to pray for selfish ends" is the title of an article by Bhagwat Swarup Goel, published in India Tribune of March 16, 1991. The writer continues, "It may be strange, but it is a fact that the more religious and the more full of devotion (BHAKTI) a person is, the more selfish he or she turns out to be. Though religion may teach the service of humanity and what are called 'higher values of life', the truth is apparently otherwise."
In the opinion of the author of the article in question, "The reason is not far to seek. When a person prays to God or some deity, he asks for blessings for himself or for his family. Generally, prayers are for wealth, health and the betterment of the person who prays, and not for the good of others. . . . The seeds of selfishness are ingrained in the very prayers which are made."(1)
In the article, some examples of such prayers have been cited from various religions. One prayers goes as follows: "Whosoever sings the prayer of Lakshmi (goddess of prosperity), gets happiness and wealth." Another one states: "Allah hath bought from the believers their lives and their wealth in return for the paradise which will be theirs." Yet another prayer reads: "I will sing unto the Lord, because He hath dealt bountifully with me. . . . Thou has given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me. . . . Let my adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle."
The author further observes, "Sycophancy (belittlement) is another lesson that a person learns by [some] prayers. . . . [The devotee] calls himself ignorant, nothing, less than nothing, useless, sinner and what not."
These observations should open our eyes to the wide gap which exists between the principles of the Jain religion and the meanings of some of our prayers, worships and religious songs. Many Jain scholars and reformers observed such undesirable features of Jain religious practices and have composed prayers and worships which conform to the teachings of Jainism. There are numerous compositions of this type in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi and Gujarati. Here are a few such prayers and worships in English:
1) CHAUVEES SANTHAV (LOGASSA) SUTRA, English adaptation published in Jain Study Circular, January 1991, page 20.
2) My Aspirations (MERI BHAAVNA) by Pandit Jugal Kishore Mukhtar, translation into English verse by Devendra Kumar Jain, Studies In Jainism: Reader 1", page 46.
3) Song Of Soul by Sahajanand Varni, Studies In Jainism: Reader 1", page 35.
4) JIN, JIN, Bless His Name by Leona Smith Kremser, Studies In Jainism: Reader 1", page 7.
5) What Are You by Devendra Kumar Jain, Studies In Jainism: Reader 1", page 23.
6) Worship Of Dev (Supreme Souls), Shastra (Scriptures) And Guru (True Sages) composed in Hindi by Jugal Kishore, English adaptation by Dr. Trilok Chandra Jain, published in Jain Study Circular, January 1989, page 12.
Writers and poets are encouraged to write prayers and worships of this kind in English, Hindi and Gujarati.
We should encourage our youngsters to recite meaningful prayers and worships so that they will understand the essence of Jainism. Then our observances will conform to the pristine principles of the Jain religion.
Footnote:
1) Many Jain prayers, worships and religious songs belong to this category. - D. C. J.