Some Gems From The Past Issues Of Jain Study Circular:

When a man dwells in his mind on the objects of senses, attachment to them is produced. From attachment springs desire and from desire comes anger.

KAAM means desire. Desires may prove to be as relentless as the most powerful external forces. They may lift us into materialistic glory or hurl us into disgrace.

Anger breeds bewilderment, which in turn leads to memory loss. Loss of memory (confusion) destroys intelligence, and decline of intelligence (failure to discriminate between right and wrong) spells demise (downfall) of the individual.

Being beyond attachment (likes) and aversion (dislikes), an individual has little interest in sensual pleasures. He/she has minimal desires and is not disturbed by external things. Such individual has control over self and attains genuine happiness and peace of mind.

When an individual's spirit becomes pure (without likes and dislikes), all sorrows and grief disappear and his/her intellect settles in the spiritual bliss.

On the other hand, a person who lacks intelligence (to discriminate between good and bad) and proper aspiration does not attain peace of mind, and there is no happiness in life without peace of mind.

The person who sheds all longings (desires) and moves without concern, free from the sense of "I" and "mine" - he/she attains peace.

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The term Jain is derived from JIN, a spiritual conqueror, who conquers enemies like attachment, passion, jealousy and so on. Modern scholars prefer to call Jainism, along with Buddhism, a religion belonging to SHRAMAN (ascetic) tradition as opposed to the Vedic or Brahmanic tradition.

Jainism is a religion native to India. For the most part, it has remained an Indian religion. Jainism has no beginning. It is eternal. Its fundamental principles are rational perception, open-mindedness, clear thinking and common sense. It teaches us to accept and practice only what seems to be logical on the basis of observation and experimentation.(1) It does not require us to blindly follow what is written or preached. Jainism is not bound by a particular book, prophet, preacher, name or label. Thus, Jainism has existed ever since there have been rational thinking human beings.

Another school of thought, held by some modern non-Jain scholars, is that Jainism dates back to the sixth century B.C., a period of great intellectual activity not only in India but also in other parts of the world like Greece, Persia and China. At that time in India, there was heavy emphasis on asceticism (renouncement of comforts and pleasure). The last Jain TEERTHANKAR, Mahaveer lived during that period.

Jainism is not a proselytizing religion. Jainism does not postulate a leader and its followers worship no deity for any kind of favors, although image worship was introduced some years after Bhagwaan Mahaveer's NIRVANA. Since Jainism does not believe in a creator - God, there is no scope for worship of a godhead in Jain philosophy. The images of TEERTHANKARs remind us of the basic principles of the Jain religion and we worship them to have pure thoughts and as reminders of our ultimate goal of purifying our souls.

Jains follow the teachings of the twenty-four TEERTHANKARs. The word TEERTHANKAR is derived from the Sanskrit word TEERTH meaning a ford, the place which enables a person to cross the river of worldly existence and suffering. TEERTH is also called the fourfold order - SANGH. Jain TEERTH consists of monks (SADHUs), nuns (SADHVIs), laymen (SHRAVAKs) and laywomen (SHRAVIKAs). One who reestablishes the Jain order (TEERTH or SANGH) and rejuvenates the society is called a TEERTHANKAR. The last TEERTHANKAR was Mahaveer. The only woman TEERTHANKAR of this era was Mallinath, the nineteenth TEERTHANKAR. ARHATs (the supreme human beings) including the TEERTHANKARs and the liberated souls (SIDDHAs) are referred to as DEVAADHIDEVs - the most sacred and revered souls. Next in order are the Jain ascetics, ACHARYAs, the leaders of groups of monks, UPADHYAYAs, readers of sacred texts, and SADHUs, monks in general. ARHATs, SIDDHAs, ACHARYAs, UPADHYAYAs and SADHUs are called the five supreme benevolent personalities (PANCH PARAMESHTHI). Jains pray to them and seek their guidance in their spiritual pursuit.

There are an estimated 4 million Jains in India today. Most Jains belong to the mercantile community. There are two traditions in Jainism. DIGAMBARs - the sky-clad ones who believe in nudity for the monks. Their nuns however wear white clothes. As a corollary to this, the DIGAMBARs believe that it is necessary to give up all material possessions including clothes and perform penance of highest order to attain salvation and hence only men can attain salvation because women can not give up all clothes. Thus they believe that all TEERTHANKARs including Mallinath were men. This is of no consequence as far as our practice of Jainism is concerned because no one can attain NIRVANA in the present times. The other tradition is SHWETAMBARs - the "white-robed". Their monks and nuns wear white clothes but have no other material possessions, like the DIGAMBAR monks and nuns.

Like Vedanta and Buddhist systems, Jainism believes that the worldly existence of souls, the cycle of birth and rebirth, is caused and guided by karma. The association of karma with the soul has no beginning. Jainism also believes that the universe is eternal. There is no periodic dissolution and creation of the universe as in the Hindu system nor is there any place for a Creator or God. Every individual soul in its pure state of liberation from karma, becomes the object of worship for man. Salvation is attained through the three spiritual jewels: Rational perception, rational knowledge and rational conduct.

Two convictions followed by Jains are extreme pacificism and asceticism. These are practiced through five vows: Nonviolence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy (total or partial) and non-possessiveness. Jains, ascetics as well as householders, are expected to avoid passions of anger, pride, deceit and greed. Both, monks and laymen, meditate and practice self-denial to various degrees. Jains observe periodic fasts to cleanse their bodies. Drinking filtered and/or boiled water and taking the last meal of the day before sunset are practices which are good for health. Many Jains, especially in India, observe them.

Nonviolence (AHIMSA) is perhaps the most important contribution of Jainism to the world. Jainism teaches us to minimize physical and mental injury to all living creatures. AHIMSA is the supreme ethical requirement, the fundamental principle which governs all of man's activities and social relationships. Mahatma Gandhi used AHIMSA as a means to gain the independence of India from the British. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., used nonviolence in the civil rights movement to win equality and dignity for the disadvantaged. R. Williams writes: "The differences which separate Jainism from Hinduism and Buddhism are largely differences of emphasis for all have been constituted from common material. AHIMSA, for example, is preponderant in, but not particular to, Jainism . . . but it is the central position and pervading character of AHIMSA that separates the Jain ethic sharply from Hinduism as well as Islam and Christianity."

The influence of Jainism at the Moghul court of Emperor Akbar is a bright chapter in the Jain history. Hiravijayasuri, the then leader of Shwetambar Tapagachh was invited and honored by Akbar. Later, his successors and disciples received respect from Emperors Jehangir and Shahjahan. Even Emperor Aurangzeb had issued orders prohibiting animal slaughter near Jain sites at Girnar, Shatrunjaya, Mount Abu, Rajgrah, etc., during the celebration of spiritual awareness (PARYUSHAN). Jehangir also issued orders for protection of the Jain sacred place of Shatrunjaya. Aurangzeb gave orders in favor of Shantidas Sheth of Ahmedabad donating proprietary rights over Shatrunjaya Hill. Jains have made significant contribution to the history, art, architecture and literature of India. The colossal statue of Bahubali at Shravanbelgol near Mysore, the temples on Mount Abu in Rajasthan and many other temples are glorious examples of the many contribution of Jains.

Jainism has impressed many western scholars and philosophers. The famous German scholar, Dr. Herman Jacobi has observed: "Jainism is a very original, independent and systematic doctrine of which the realistic and rationalistic tone does not fail to attract the notice of even the casual observer."

We Jains will become better human beings by understanding and practicing the teachings of the Jain religion.

Footnote:

1) It should be pointed out that we should not violate the basic teachings of truth, nonviolence, non-possessiveness, etc., in making choices based on our observations, experience and understanding. - D. C. J.

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Look at the Jain community in India. The grown-ups have abandoned the (true) religion, the scriptures, Bhagwaan Mahaveer and are indulging in religious rituals. The new generation, having no interest in the religious rituals and equating the rituals with religion, is becoming disenchanted with religion and is blindly copying the western culture. The religious order has landed into such a pitiable condition.

. . . How many Jains have started eating meat in India? Meat may be cooked at home or not, they eat it in restaurants without any hesitation. They drink, they gamble. There seems to be no limit to the numbers of such people. . . . Have you ever given a thought to the moral degradation of the society? People have been blinded by the glare of the western culture. Have they ever made any effort to make their lives pure and uncomplicated?

The interpreters (GANADHARs) of Bhagwaan Mahaveer's sermons were Brahmins. Many of the great Jain theologians (Acharyas - philosophers, preachers and writers) were Brahmins. In ancient times, Brahmins carried on the tradition of religious studies, preaching and writing. However, ever since the business community assumed the leadership role in Jainism, the Jain religion has taken quite a different physical form. The religion which was dynamic and living, secular and accommodating, that used to welcome people with different backgrounds and viewpoints, changed into a system of religious rituals and observances. Money is needed for rituals and show of wealth satisfies the ego of the rich. It was proclaimed that study of the scriptures does not suit the laymen (SHRAVAKs). Thus the laymen remained ignorant and the clergies, monks and nuns, started exploiting the situation. Many people made up stories of different kinds. Rituals like the worship of SIDDHHACHAKRA were started to ward off inconveniences and undesirable events. There was the talk of wealth, comforts, status, power and royalty.

Study of scriptures was neglected. The preachers, whether monks or laymen, indulged in telling stories to amuse the public. Jain religion which preaches self-control, conquest of desires, and renunciation, became a vehicle for attaining material comforts.

This is the result of the neglect of knowledge.

To breathe new life into Jainism, we need selfless, studious scholars - the true Brahmins, who can reinstate the Jain tradition of the study and research of scriptures.

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