Meri Bhavna; मेरी भावना | My Prayer | My Aspirations

in Sunday, January 10, 2010

जिसने राग द्वेष कामादिक जीते सब जग जान लिया
सब जीवोको मोक्षमार्ग का निस्पृह हो उपदेश दिया
बुध्ध, वीर, जिन, हरि, हर, ब्रम्हा, या उसको स्वाधीन कहो
भक्ति-भाव से प्रेरित हो यह चित्त उसी में लीन रहो ||1||
विषयो की आशा नहि जिनके साम्य भाव धन रखते हैं
निज परके हित-साधन में जो निश दिन तत्पर रहते हैं
स्वार्थ त्याग की कठिन तपस्या बिना खेद जो करते हैं
ऐसे ज्ञानी साधू जगत के दुःख समूह को हारते हैं ||2||
रहे सदा सत्संग उन्ही का ध्यान उन्ही का नित्य रहे हैं
उन्ही जैसी चर्या में यह चित्त सदा अनुरक्त रहे हैं
नहीं सताऊ किसी जीव को झूठ कभी नहीं कहा करू
परधन वनिता पर न लुभाऊ, संतोशामृत पीया करू ||3||
अहंकार का भाव न रखु नहीं किसी पर क्रोध करू
देख दुसरो की बढती को कभी न इर्ष्या भाव धरु
रहे भावना ऐसी मेरी, सरल सत्य व्यव्हार करू
बने जहा तक जीवन में, औरो का उपकार करू||4||
मंत्री भाव जगत में मेरा सब जीवो से नित्य रहे
दींन दुखी जीवो पर मेरे उर से करुना - स्रोत बहे
दुर्जन क्रूर कुमार्ग रतो पर क्षोभ नहीं मुझको आवे
साम्यभाव रखु में उन पर, ऐसी परिणति हो जावे ||5||
गुनी जनों को देख ह्रदय में मेरे प्रेम उमड़ आवे
बने जहाँ तक उनकी सेवा करके यह मन सुख पावे
होऊ नहीं क्रुत्ग्न कभी में द्रोह न मेरे उर आवे
गुण ग्रहण का भाव रहे नित दृस्थी न दोषों पर जावे ||6||
कोई बुरा कहो या अच्छा लक्ष्मी आवे या जावे
अनेक वर्षो तक जीउ या मृत्यु आज ही आ जावे
अथवा कोई ऐसा ही भय या लालच देने आवे
तो भी न्याय मार्ग से मेरा कभी न पद डिगने पावे ||7||
होकर सुख में मग्न न दुले दुःख में कभी न घबरावे
पर्वत नदी श्मशान भयानक अटवी से नहीं भय खावे
रहे अडोल अकंप निरंतर यह मन दृद्तर बन जावे
इस्ट वियोग अनिस्ठ योग में सहन- शीलता दिखलावे ||8||
सुखी रहे सब जीव जगत के कोई कभी न घबरावे
बैर पाप अभिमान छोड़ जग नित्य नए मंगल गावे
घर घर चर्चा रहे धर्मं की दुष्कृत दुस्खर हो जावे
ज्ञान चरित उन्नत कर अपना मनुज जन्म फल सब पावे ||9||
इति भीती व्यापे नहीं जग में वृस्ती समय पर हुआ करे
धर्मनिस्ट होकर राजा भी न्याय प्रजा का किया करे
रोग मरी दुर्भिक्स न फैले प्रजा शांति से जिया करे
परम अहिंसा धर्म जगत में फ़ैल सर्व हित किया करे ||10||
फैले प्रेम परस्पर जगत में मोह दूर हो राह करे
अप्रिय कटुक कठोर शब्द नहीं कोई मुख से कहा करे
बनकर सब “युगवीर” ह्रदय से देशोंनती रत रहा करें
वस्तु स्वरुप विचार खुशी से सब संकट सहा करे ||11||

Janism and Peace; Jainism in world with the symbol of Nonviolence / Ahimsa

In Jain Dharma, We are fanatic about non-violence, most fundamental value of Jainism is nonviolence, or ahimsa. This great word is usually found on the Jain symbol of the open palm (which means “stop”). Ahimsa is the first of the vows taken by both Jain householders and monks. Ahimsa means harming no living being as well as protecting all living beings from harm.

Jainism in world with the symbol of Nonviolence / Ahimsa. That means harming no living being & protecting all living beings from harm.

JIVAS, KARMA

While several religions practice nonviolence and peace as a fundamental principle, Jainism is unique in extending this principle to all jivas (living beings). For Jains, living beings include not only humans and animals, but everything one finds on earth. Ahimsa must therefore be extended not only to humans and animals, but also soil, sand, oceans, fires, insects, microbes and plants.

For this reason, most Jains are not just vegetarians but “fruitarians” - they eat only fruit, nuts and milk. These foods are acceptable because they are only the by-products of the living beings and not the living beings themselves. To pull up a carrot or chop a potato would be to do violence to a living being (actually several living beings, as root vegetables are seen as multi-organic and therefore multi-souled).

This unique concept of nonviolence also explains why some Jain monks and nuns wear masks over their mouths and noses or carry whisks with which they brush chairs before sitting. To inhale or squash even a microbe would constitute violence to a living thing, resulting in unwanted karma.

Gods in Jainism; Jain principle of ahimsa (nonviolence) extends to all jivas

Gods in Jainism

The Jain understanding of an uncreated and eternal universe leaves little room for an Almighty Creator God. Jains do, however, believe in a “perfect universal presence,” as well as multiple deities who dwell in the heavens. As mentioned above, the realm of the gods consists of higher and lower gods. The lower act very human, and often rule as despots. Humans may call on these deities for assistance. One of the most important deities is Ambika, the Mother Goddess of Jainism. She is the patron deity of material prosperity, childbirth and protection of women.

Being eternal themselves, humans can also attain “perfect beingness,” or divinity.

Jivas

Along with the detailed description of the cosmos seen above, Jains have also categorized all the living beings (jivas) that can be found in the earthly realm. This is important because the fundamental Jain principle of ahimsa (nonviolence) extends to all jivas.

In Jain thinking, a jiva is a soul attached to a body. Since a soul is of flexible size, the same soul can fit inside an ant’s body as a human’s.

Jain beliefs have their historical roots in Hinduism

संपूर्ण विश्व में एकमात्र जैन धर्मं ही इस बात में आस्था रखता हैं की प्रत्येक आत्मा में परमात्मा बनने की शक्ति विद्यमान हैं. अर्थात भगवान महावीर स्वामी की तरह ही प्रत्येक व्यक्ति जैन धर्मं का ज्ञान प्राप्त करके उसमे सच्ची आस्था रखकर, उस अनुसार आचरण (कर्म) करके बड़े पुण्योदय से उसे प्राप्त दुर्लभ मानव योनी का ‘एक मात्र सच्चा व अंतिम सुख’ संपूर्ण जीवन जन्मा-मरण के बंधन से मुक्त होने वाले कर्म करते हुए मोक्ष महाफल पाने हेतु कदम बढ़ाना तथा उसे प्राप्त कर वीर महावीर बन दुर्लभ जीवन की सार्थक कर सकता है.
जियो और जीने दो : भगवान महावीर स्वामी द्वारा इस सन्देश में संपूर्ण जैन धर्मं का आधार व्यक्त किया गया हैं.
भगवान महावीर स्वामी ने हमें अहिंसा का पालन करते हुए सत्य के पक्ष में रहते हुए किसी के हक को मारे बिना किसी को सताए बिना, अपनी मर्यादा में रहते हुए पवित्र मन से, लोभ लालच किये बिना, नियम से बंधकर सुख दुःख में समभाव में रहते हुए आकुल व्याकुल हुए बिना धर्मसंगत कर्म करते हुए ‘मोक्ष पद’ पाने की और कदम बढ़ते हुए दुर्लभ जीवन को सार्थक बनने का दिव्य सन्देश दिया हैं.
क्या आपने वीर महावीर स्वामी बनने के पथ पर कदम बड़ा दिए हैं या यूँही दुर्लभ जीवन के बहुमूल्य पल गँवा रहे हो? जागो भाई जागो, फिर मौका मिले न मिले.
भगवान महावीर स्वामी की जन्म जयंती एक बार फिर हमें अपने ही कल्याण हेतु जगाने आ गयी है. हमें इसे बड़े धूम धाम हर्षोल्लास के साथ मानते हुए अपने कल्याण का सूत्रपात इस पावन पवित्र दिवस से प्रारंभ कर देना चाहिए.
Jain beliefs have their historical roots in Hinduism, but there are many distinctive differences between the two Indian religions.

Who's Jain?

Jain, who?
Is soft-spoken
Laughs are seasonal
Are used to entertain guests
Love is the most
Stay away from the melody is hate
Does not have any criticism
Are too polite with enemy too
Vision is to keep Straight
Keep in life are honesty
Peace in the world wants
Prevents people are unaware
It’s selfless and altruistic
Keep the spirit of sacrifice are
Name does not do anything for

जैन कौन?
जिव्हा पर नियंत्रण रखता हैं
मृदुभाषी होता हैं
समयानुकूल हँसता हैं
कठुवानी से दूर रहता हैं
बडो की आज्ञा का पालन करता हैं
मेहमान का सत्कार करता हैं
सबसे प्रेम रखता हैं
राग द्वेष से दूर रहता हैं
किसी की आलोचना नहीं करता हैं
शत्रुओ से भी नम्र बोलता हैं
पक्षपात के झाल से दूर रहता हैं
छुआछुत नहीं करता हैं
अनेकांत की दृष्टी रखता हैं
गुमराह को सही रास्ता बताता हैं
दयालु होता हैं
धेर्यवान होता हैं
धन के मोह से बचता हैं
जीवन में इमानदारी रखता हैं
संपूर्ण विश्व में शांति चाहता हैं
लोगो को अज्ञान से बचाता हैं
निस्वार्थ एवं परोपकारी होता हैं
आत्मसाधुक होता हैं
शुभकार्यों की ओर बढता हैं
त्याग की भावना रखता हैं
झुटी शान से बचता हैं
नाम के लिए कुछ नहीं करता
भूल स्वीकार करता हैं
संतोषी होता हैं
हितकर वचन बोलता हैं

The Jain Community; contributed enormously to the arts, trade, politics and philosophy of India

in Saturday, January 9, 2010

The Jain community has contributed enormously to the arts, trade, politics and philosophy of India. Its most visible contribution can be seen in the nation’s sculpture and architecture.

The Jaina Community is a loving community and is proud that no war has taken place in the globe in the name of this great faith although many Jaina householders have fought for many Jaina causes. It is a prosperous community mostly into trade, business, agriculture etc. numbering around 10 million scattered all over the globe. They run many charitable institutions and when compared to thier small number the charity they carry is proportionately large. they believe in selfessly giving, charity in the form of food, shelter, books clothes to the needy and spend crores in building temples, libraries, prayer halls. The women are given equal status and the caste - system is irrelevant in Jainism.

Jain Practices; following vows in thought, speech, and action

Jains believe that to attain enlightenment and ultimately liberation, one must practice the following vows in thought, speech, and action:

• Non-violence: The fundamental vow from which all other vows stem. It involves minimizing intentional and unintentional harm to any other living creature.
• Truthfulness: Practiced in order not to harm others by speech.
• Non-stealing: Principle of not taking, or having intentions of taking, what belongs to others.
• Chastity: For lay Jains, this means avoiding sexual promiscuity. For monks and nuns, it is complete celibacy.

• Non-materialism: By limiting the desire for, and acquisition of, material goods, we can reduce attachments and focus on achieving the ultimate goal of nirvana.

History of Jainism; Jainism is one of the oldest living religions

Jainism is one of the oldest living religions, predating recorded history. It is an original system, quite distinct and independent from other systems of Indian philosophy. The term Jain means followers of the “Jinas” (Spiritual Victors), human teachers who attained omniscience through their own personal efforts. There have been 24 such Spiritual Victors (also known as “Tirthankars”) and Mahävir was the last of these.
Mahävir (The Great Hero) was born 2,600 years ago in 599 BCE. At the age of 30, he left home on a spiritual quest. After 12 years of austerities and meditations, he attained omniscience. At age 72, Mahävir left this mortal world and attained Nirvana, that blissful state beyond life and death. Mahävir was not the founder of Jainism. He consolidated the faith by drawing together the teachings of the previous Tirthankars and by emphasizing the principles that are important for our time.

About Jainism : Jainism is a religion of Non-Violence, Non-Absolutism, Non-Possessiveness

Jainism is a religion of Non-Violence (Ahimsa) propounded by a “Jin” i.e., the spiritual victor. The principles enunciated by a “Jin” constitute Jainism and the followers are known as “Jains.” Jainism represents a symbiosis of the religious and scientific approaches, for better living based on the foundations of non-violence, peace, compassion, and humility toward all living beings. Jainism is the union of personal independence with social and ecological interdependence, and believes in harmony and love toward all living beings. For millions of Jains who have been practicing Jainism all over the world, it is a way of life!

• Non-Violence (NV/Ahimsa) promotes the autonomy of life of every living being. If you understand and believe that every Soul is autonomous, you will never trample on its right to live.

• Non-Absolutism (NA/Anekantvad) strengthens the autonomy of thought of every individual. If you perceive every being as a thinking individual, you will not trample on his or her thoughts and emotions.

• Non-Possessiveness (NP/Aparigrah) supports the autonomy of self-control, of striving to balance our personal consumption of things by rationalizing between our needs and desires. If you ultimately feel that you own nothing and no one, you will not trample the ecology on which our survival depends.

The most fundamental principle of Jainism is the concept of Non-Violence (Ahimsa). Therefore, Jainism has based its ethical code entirely on the observance of the tenet of non-violence, and hence it is said – “Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah” meaning “Non-violence is the supreme religion.” The Jain dictum, “Parasparopagraho Jivanam” means “Souls render service to one another.” It emphasizes the balance and harmony both among human beings, and between humanity and all other forms of life. Jains actively reflect on these values and incorporate them in daily practice. Specifically, they are strict vegetarians, minimize the use of leather, silk, and animal products, and manage their households so as to minimize harm to even insects and other small living beings. In addition, Jains engage in business practices which involve fair treatment of employees, buyers, suppliers, and they practice philanthropy.
Jain values of non-violence, compassion, tolerance, and humility are extremely relevant in the world today.

Bhagwan Mahavir Swami, Birth, Moksha, Keval Gyan (जीवन, मोक्ष मार्ग, केवल ज्ञान)

भगवान महावीर स्वामी का जन्म चैत्र शुक्ल तेरस दिंन राजा सिद्धार्थ के यहाँ हुआ था. माता का नाम त्रिशाला जिसे प्रियकारीनी भी कहते हैं. भगवान महावीर का जन्म विदेह क्षेत्र के अंतर्गत वैशाली गणराज्य के अंतर्गत कुंडू गों में हुआ था जो वर्तमान में मुजफ्फरनगर बिहार प्रान्त में आता हैं जिस भूमि पर भगवान महावीर का जन्म हुआ था, उसके जन्म के बाद आज तक हल नहीं चलाया गया, उस भूमि को जैन अजं इतनी पवित्र मानते हैं की उनके यहाँ कोई मांगलिक कार्यक्रम होता हैं तो उस भूमि पर आकर पूजन आदि क्रीयाए करते हैं जैन अजं सभी पूजा करते हैं. सन् १९५५ में इसी भूमि पर भारत के तत्कालीन राष्ट्रपति डाँ राजेंद्र प्रसादजी ने मंदिर का शिलान्यास किया था. तब से बिहार सर्कार प्रतिवर्ष भगवान महावीर की जयंती पर तीन दिन का एक विशाल सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम वहां आयोजीत करती हैं
भगवान महावीर स्वामी की माता रजा चेटक की पुत्री थी
भगवान महावीर बाल ब्रम्हचारी थे
भगवान महावीर स्वामी के कोई भाई नहीं था
भगवान महावीर स्वामी ने तीस वर्ष की उम्र में दीक्षा ली थी, भगवान महावीर स्वामी नें बारह वर्ष तक घोर टाप किया और बयालीस वर्ष की उम्र में चार घातिया कर्मो को क्षय करके केवल ज्ञान को प्राप्त किया, देवो ने समवशरण की रचना की
भगवान महावीर स्वामी का निर्वान पावापुर (बिहार) में हुआ था
भगवान महावीर स्वामी के जन्म के समय विश्व भर में हिंसा, झूठ, चोरी, बलिप्रथा, बलात्कार, कुशील का बोल -बाला था, महिलायों का उत्पीडन, अशिक्षा, कुरीतिया, अंधविश्वास आदि का साम्राज्य विश्व भर में छाया हुआ था.
भगवान महावीर स्वामी ने जीओ और जीने दों का सिधांत प्रति पादित किया
सतीप्रथा, बलिप्रथा, बलात्कार आदि कुरीतिओं को बंद कराया और सत्य, अहिंसा, अचोर्य, ब्रह्मचर्य एवं अप्रग्रह - अनेकान्तवाद - श्याद्वाध का सिधांत पालन करने का उपदेश दिया
उनके उपदेशो का पालन कर करमा कालिका को काट कर प्रत्येक आत्मा - परमात्मा बन सकता हैं
प्रत्येक आत्मा में परमात्मा बनाने की शक्ति मोजूद हैं
भगवान महावीर स्वामी का जीवन, मोक्ष मार्ग, केवल ज्ञान

Jain Temple Deogarh, In Deogarh, Thousands of Statues (Jain Gods)

Jain Temple Deogarh, भारतीय शिल्पकला के सर्वोत्तम उदाहरण
Outer & Inner wall of different Jin Mandir (Jain Temple) at Deogarh are the best example of Indian Handicrafts. Here 32 Temples and 200 different inscriptions.

In Deogarh, Thousands of Statues (Jain Gods)

Wonderful statues of Sarswati, Chakreshwari, Jwalamalini & Padmavati devi in devgarh.

Paryushan Maha Parva; Most important festival among the Jain festivals

The Paryushan Parva is the most important festival among the Jain festivals; and it is observed during every Chaturmas commencing on the twelfth day of the fortnight of the waning moon, in Bhadrapad and ending on the fourth day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Bhadrapad. During these eight days, the entire Jain Society becomes spellbound in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and felicity. All Jains, the young and the old perform Atthai Tap - fasting for eight days at a time. Some men and women; and even children take the vow of Paushadh Vrat also for eight days During these days, the spiritual preceptors read out and explain in detail the Kalpasutra, the most sacred scripture of the Jains. All the members of the congregation listen to that explanation, overwhelmed with the emotion of devotion. Seven days are days of attainment and the eighth day is one of fulfillment or achievement In this manner,the Samvatsari Mahaparva the annual festival is celebrated. Listening to the holy voice of the spiritual preceptors when they explain the 1250 fundamental Sutras; performing the Samvatsarik Pratikraman, (the annual atonement) for seeking the forgiveness of those people whom one hates or against whom one nurses a grudge; forgetting all hatred and spite-these, constitute the Samvatsarik aradhana -the annual atonement

Tarun Sagar Ji Maharaj, Tarun Sagar Ji, Muni Tarun Sagar

Pujya Shree Krantikari Rashtrasant Munishree Tarun Sagar Ji Maharaj

Tarun Sagarji Maharaj, Country's first saint, who address the nation from the historical Red Fort in Delhi,

Spread the Mahavir Vani through Zee TV & other TV Channels to 122 countries including India,

Country's first saint, who address the Indian Army & got the Gord-off-honor,

Kadwe Pravachan In six different languages,

State Guest for Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat, Karnatak, Maharashtra Country's first saint with Z-Plus Security,

The country's most famous, and famous Digambar Muni

पूज्य श्री क्रन्तिकारी राष्ट्रसंत मुनिश्री तरुणसागरजी महाराज आचार्य कुंद कुंद और आचार्य जिनसेन के पशचात दो हज़ार वर्षो के इतिहास में पहली बार १३ वर्ष की सुंकुमार वे में दीक्षा लेने वाले देश के प्रथम मुनि हैं
दिल्ली के एतिहासिक लाल किले से राष्ट्र को संबोधित करने वाले देश के प्रथम मुनि.
जी टीवी सहित अन्य टीवी चेनलो के माध्यम से "महावीर वाणी" को भारत सहित १२२ देशो में पहुचाने वाले देश के प्रथम मुनि.
भारतीय सेना को संबोधित करने वाले व् सेना द्वारा "गोर्ड - ऑफ़ - आनर" पाने वाले देश के प्रथम मुनि.
हर जिले के पुलिस मुख्यालय पर पुलिस अधिकारियो और जवानों को संबोधित करने वाले देश के प्रथम मुनि.
गुरुमंत्र दीक्षा देकर जैन परंपरा में विधिवत गुरुदीक्षा की शुरुआत करने वाले देश के प्रथम मुनि.
जिनकी बहुचर्चित पुस्तक "कड़वे प्रवचन" की देश की छह भाषाओ में पॉँच लाख पुस्तकों का प्रकाशन जैन इतिहास में विश्व रिकॉर्ड बनाने वाले देश के प्रथा मुनि.
म.प्र. गुजरात, कर्णाटक, और महाराष्ट्र सर्कार द्वारा "राजकीय अतिथि" का सम्मान पाने वाले और अब "जेड़ प्लस" जैसी सुरक्षा पाने वाले देश के प्रथम मुनि.
अपने कड़वे प्रवचनों और सत्संगों के हर जगह, हर रोज़ ५०-५० हज़ार श्रोताओ को सम्बोथित करने वाले देश के प्रथम मुनि.
देश के सर्वाधिक चर्चित, ख्याति प्राप्त और दिगंबर मुनि की पहचान बन चुके देश के प्रथम मुनि.
राजभवन (बंगलोर) जाकर वहां अतिविषिस्ट लोगो को संबोधित करने वाले व् राजभवन में आहारचर्या करने वाले देश के प्रथम मुनि.
भगवन महावीर के मंदिरों और जैनियो से मुक्त करने वाले तथा जन-जन के बनाने वाले देश के प्रथम मुनि.
दिगंबर जैन और श्वेताम्बर जैन जिनके नाम मात्र एक हो जाते हैं और जिनके कार्यक्रम सकल जैन समाज के बेनर टेल होते हैं ऐसे देश के प्रथम मुनि.
जिनके कड़वे प्रवचनों की मिठास की चर्चा देश भर में होती हैं और कड़वे बोल पसंद किये जाते हैं, देश के प्रथम मुनि.
"आनंद यात्रा" कार्यक्रम की शुरुआत करने वाले व् इस कार्यक्रम में लोगो को ठहाके लगाने के लिए मजबूर कर देने वाले देश के प्रथम मुनि.

Prayer of Jain Religion

Prayer of Jain religion:

Every day Jains bow their heads and say their universal prayer, the Navkar-mantra. All good work and events start with this prayer of salutation and worship.

Namo Arihantanam: - I bow to the enlightened souls

Namo Siddhanam: - I bow to the liberated souls

Namo Ayariyanam: - I bow to religious leaders

Namo Uvajjayanam: - I bow to religious teachers

Namo Loe Savva Sahunam: - I bow to all monks of the world

Eso Panch Namukkaro: - These five salutations are capable of

Savva Pava Panasano: destroying all the sins and this is

Mangalancha Savvesin the first happiness among all forms

Padhamam Havai Mangalam: of happiness.

In the above prayer, Jains do not ask for any favors or material benefits from their Gods, the Tirthankaras or from monks and nuns. They do not pray to a specific Tirthankara or monk by name. By saluting them, Jains receive the inspiration from the five benevolent for the right path of true happiness and total freedom from the misery of life.

Mahavir Swami 24th Jain Tirthankar

Lord Mahavir was the Twenty fourth and the last Tirthankara of the Jain religion. According to Jain philosophy, all Tirthankaras were born as human beings but they have attained a state of perfection or enlightenment through meditation and self realization. They are the Gods of Jains. Tirthankaras are also known as Arihants or Jinas.

Tirthankara - One who establishes the four fold order (Monk, Nun, Layman, and Laywoman) of religion.
Arihant - One who destroys his inner enemies like anger, greed, passion, ego, etc.
Jina - One who conquers his inner enemies like anger, greed, passion, ego, etc. The followers of Jina are known as Jains.

Mahavir was born in 599 B.C. as a prince in Bihar, India. At the age of 30, he left his family and royal household, gave up his worldly possessions, including clothing and become a monk.

He spent the next twelve years in deep silence and meditation to conquer his desires and feelings. He went without food for long periods. He carefully avoided harming or annoying other living beings including animals, birds, and plants. His ways of meditation, days of austerities, and mode of behavior furnish a beautiful example for monks and nuns in religious life. His spiritual pursuit lasted for twelve years. At the end he realized perfect perception, knowledge, power, and bliss. This realization is known as keval-jnana.

He spent the next thirty years travelling on bare feet around India preaching to the people the eternal truth he realized. He attracted people from all walks of life, rich and poor, kings and commoners, men and women, princes and priests, touchables and untouchables.

He organized his followers, into a four fold order, namely monk (Sadhu), nun (Sadhvi), layman (Shravak), and laywoman (Shravika). Later on they are known as Jains.

The ultimate objective of his teaching is how one can attain the total freedom from the cycle of birth, life, pain, misery, and death, and achieve the permanent blissful state of one's self. This is also known as liberation, nirvana, absolute freedom, or Moksha.

He explained that from eternity, every living being (soul) is in bondage of karmic atoms, that are accumulated by its own good or bad deeds. Under the influence of karma, the soul is habituated to seek pleasures in materialistic belongings and possessions. Which are the deep rooted causes of self-centered violent thoughts, deeds, anger, hatred, greed, and such other vices. These result in accumulating more karma.

He preached that right faith (samyak-darshana), right knowledge (samyak-jnana), and right conduct (samyak-charitra) together will help attain the liberation of one's self.

At the heart of right conduct for Jains lie the five great vows:

Nonviolence (Ahinsa)   - not to cause harm to any living beings

Truthfulness (Satya)     - to speak the harmless truth only

Non-stealing (Asteya)   - not to take anything not properly given

Chastity (Brahmacharya) - not to indulge in sensual pleasure

Non-possession/Non-attachment (Aparigraha) - complete detachment from people, places, and material things.

Jains hold these vows at the center of their lives. The monks and nuns follow these vows strictly and totally, while the common people try to follow the vows as far as their life styles will permit.

At the age of 72 (527 B.C.), Lord Mahavir died and his purified soul left the body and achieved complete liberation. He became a Siddha, a pure consciousness, a liberated soul, living for ever in a state of complete bliss. On the night of his salvation, people celebrated the Festival of Lights (Dipavali) in his honor.

Significant points of the life and teachings of Lord Mahavir.

The spiritual power and moral grandeur of Mahavir's teachings impressed the masses. He made religion simple and natural, free from elaborate ritual complexities. His teachings reflected the popular impulse towards internal beauty and harmony of the soul.

His message of nonviolence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), non-stealing (Achaurya), celibacy (Brahma-charya), and non-possession (Aparigraha) is full of universal compassion. He said that, "A living body is not merely an integration of limbs and flesh but it is the abode of the soul which potentially has perfect perception (Anant-darshana), perfect knowledge (Anant-jnana), perfect power (Anant-virya), and perfect bliss (Anant-sukha)." Mahavir's message reflects freedom and spiritual joy of the living being.

Mahavir was quite successful in eradicating from human intellect the conception of God as creator, protector, and destroyer. He also denounced the worship of gods and goddesses as a means of salvation. He taught the idea of supremacy of human life and stressed the importance of the positive attitude of life.

Lord Mahavir also preached the gospel of universal love, emphasizing that all living beings, irrespective of their size, shape, and form how spiritually developed or under-developed, are equal and we should love and respect them.

Jainism existed before Mahavir, and his teachings were based on those of his predecessors. Thus, unlike Buddha, Mahavir was more of a reformer and propagator of an existing religious order than the founder of a new faith. He followed the well established creed of his predecessor Tirthankara Parshvanath. However, Mahavir did reorganize the philosophical tenets of Jainism to correspond to his times. Lord Mahavir preached five great vows while Lord Parshva preached four great vows.

In the matters of spiritual advancement, as envisioned by Mahavir, both men and women are on an equal footing. The lure of renunciation and liberation attracted women as well. Many women followed Mahavir's path and renounced the world in search of ultimate happiness.

In a few centuries after Mahavir's nirvana, Jain religious order (Sangha) grew more and more complex. There were schisms on some minor points although they did not affect the original doctrines as preached by the Tirthankars. Later generations saw the introduction of ritualistic complexities which almost placed Mahavir and other Tirthankars on the throne of Hindu deities.

Idol Worship

The idols of twenty-four Tirthankaras in the temple are the same because they represent the quality and virtues of Tirthankaras not the physical body. However, at the bottom of each idol a unique symbol is placed to differentiate them. Lord Mahavir's idol is recognized by the symbol of a lion.

Adinath Bhagwan 1st Jain Tirthankar

in Friday, January 8, 2010

Adinath Bhagwan : 1st Jain Tirthankar

Bhagwan Adinath (Rishabh Dev) was born in ayodhya, on the eighth day of the dark half of the month of Chaitra, around midnight. His father name was King Nabhi and Mother name was Marudevi. After long span of life time (around 60 lakh years), he took diksha on eighth day of the dark half of the month of chaitra along with 4000 other men's.

After 1000 years of diksha and worldly life abandonment Lord Rishabdev attained (kevalgyan) salvation on 11 th day of the dark half of the month of Phalgun and constellation of uttaraashada in Purimtal town, close to Ayodhya.

On the thirteenth day of the dark half of the month of Magh, a little before noon time, Bhagwan Rishabhdev, along with other ten thousand saints was liberated and attained nirvana on Ashtapad mountain.

Bhagwan Rishab Dev lived for 84 lakhs purv of which he spent 1 lakh purv as an ascetics and 1000 years of Meditation and Spiritual Practices (Meditation and Spiritual Practices (sahdana/tap).

It is believed that Rishab prabhu was 500 measure of bow(at that time unit of measurement was bow i.e. bow of bow & arrow) in height.

Jainism History, Religion, Pictures, Temples,India