Guest Editorial:
by Dr. Nemi Chand Jain
The import of the present editorial by the scholarly writer, Dr. Nemi Chand Jain, is that, in our festivals, celebrations and observances, we Jains often indulge in activities deprecated by Bhagwaan Mahaveer, violate the basic principles of the Jain religion and sacrifice its unique features.
- D. C. J.
A variety of grandiose, magnificent and extravagant programs have been organized to celebrate the twenty-six hundredth birth anniversary of Bhagwaan Mahaveer. A careful analysis of these celebrations reveals that they embrace nothing that can be portrayed as substantive or constructive, nothing that revitalizes or lends prestige to the spirit of Bhagwaan Mahaveer's teachings. We are indulging in exhibitionism - in stickers, postage stamps and calendars. We are looking for cheap publicity through books, folders, brochures, cassettes and similar charades of self-promotion. We arrange floats, parades and shout slogans. We should realize that we continue to slight the soul of our eternal religion in such endeavors. Indulging in these activities keeps us from having a meaningful celebration that would highlight the importance of humanism and have an enduring impact.(2)
Before organizing any celebration, we should critically examine our individual, social, cultural and national life. We should look deeply inward and discern our individual shortcomings and offensive social customs and traditions. It is imperative that we eradicate these shameful attitudes, trends and practices. The auspicious occasion of the twenty-six hundredth birth anniversary of Bhagwaan Mahaveer coincides with the beginning of the twenty-first century. Cleansing individual character and the character of our social institutions is the only way to provide any credibility or altruistic status to our celebrations of this auspicious occasion. We should conduct a thorough and impartial scrutiny of our conduct and roles played in social, cultural and national domains during the twentieth century (and the past few centuries). We should determine the basic values and unique features on which the entire structure of Jainism endures. Are we attempting to preserve them in spirit? Are we making any effort to reinstate them? It seems that we are doing just the opposite. It appears that we are personating the popular proverb, 'there is darkness under the lamp.' Will the brilliance of Bhagwaan Mahaveer's teachings shine through our celebrations consisting of ritualism and exhibitionism? Are we in a position to provide a suitable effective cure for the ills of the society such as violence, untruth, stealing, possessiveness (that involve exploitation, oppression and duress of the poor and helpless) and unchastity (impurity of mind and body)? Does our conduct conform to our speech? Is our character immaculate so that we can confront the storms and cyclones of apparent discrepancies and inconsistencies? In stead of the usual empty, dull and insignificant shows/programs/projects/charades, are we prepared to purify the means of earning our livelihood? Do we have a genuine desire to purify our conduct? Do we have a firm resolve to improve our morals and ethics? It should be pointed out that such a genuine effort (to exemplify Bhagwaan Mahaveer's teachings) does not entail the expenditure of any wealth. It does not require any thunderous noise/speech. It only involves moments of self-examination - moments of cold, exacting acid test. Is any organizer, leader, scholar willing to undertake such a formidable task?
A significant celebration of Bhagwaan Mahaveer's birth anniversary entails the following teaching of Acharya Amitgati:(3)
May I have feelings of friendship towards all living beings,
may I show joyful respect for all with virtuous character,
may I have concern and compassion for those in distress,
may I develop tolerance for those having adverse views.
O Bhagwaan, may I develop such traits and character.
To summarize, we have to inculcate the above teachings in our personal and social lives. Such should be the conduct and character of Jain individuals and institutions. Unless we win back the trust of others through our moral conduct, our celebrations will not have any significant impact.
Footnotes:
1) Adapted from the prestigious Hindi journal "TIRTHANKAR", Volume 30, Issue 4, 2000. We are grateful to Dr. Nemi Chand Jain, Editor of TIRTHANKAR, for his kind permission to adapt articles from the TIRTHANKAR.
2) Bhagwaan Mahaveer taught us to be self-reliant (SHRAMAN) and endeavor to improve ourselves regardless of all the imperfections in our surrounding environment, making a minimal adverse impact on others and on the ecology. Nevertheless, in most conferences, celebrations, designs and projects involving the so-called 'good causes', the focus is on the external, on tax deductions and on selfish motives of individuals and groups. They do little to address the root causes of the problems. In such undertakings, we Jains continually violate the spirit of the teachings of Bhagwaan Mahaveer. - D. C. J.
3) BHAAVANA DWAATRINSHATIKA by Acharya Amitgati (10th century A. D.)