$JES 202 Jain Story Book Level 2 Book

SR No.: 000121
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 160
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Jaina_Education, 0_Jaina_education, & JAINA Books
File Size: 22 MB

Page 25

BHAGAWÄN ADINÄTH
After years of rigorous austerities and the search for truth, Rishabhadev attained Keval-jnän, or omniscience, on the 11th day of the dark half of Fälgun (which usually falls in March). In order to guide people towards the right path, he established the fourfold religious order comprised of monks (Sädhus), nuns (Sadhvis), laymen (Shrävaks), and laywomen (Shrävikäs). In this order, known as the Jain Sangh. Rushabhsen, the son of King Bharat, became the head of the monks and Brähmi and Sundari headed the order of nuns. As a founder of the religious order known as “Tirtha", Rishabhadev was the first Tirthankar of the current Avasarpini part of the time cycle. He is also known as Adinath (Adi means the first or the beginning and Näth means the Lord). After having founded the religious order, Rishabhadev lived long and taught the truth about everlasting happiness.
Shreyans offering sugarcane juice to Rishabhadev
Moral: Along with the rules of ascetic life, Bhagawan Rishabhadev taught the noble and moral ways of a householder's life. The popular Jain austerity, Varsitapa, commemorates his 400 days of fasting; based on the example of the Dāna Dharma (donation of Shreyans. Offering pure food to a sädhu is considered one of the noblest acts for a layperson, so even if we cannot follow the ascetic life, we can show our reverence for those further on the path to liberation in this way.
02 - Questions: 1. What was life like before Rishabhadev was born? 2. What was life like after Rishabhadev was born? To help the people solve their problems, what did he teach
them? 3. Who did Rishabhadev marry? How many children did he have? What were some of them known for? 4. After taking dikshä with 4,000 associates and followers, what happened? What were the followers having
difficulty with? 5. How did Rishabhadev teach them how to get food? What happened when he went for alms to householders? 6. Who finally gave him food? What did he get first? How long was his fast before he got food? 7. What is this long fast called and how is it followed today?
JAIN STORY BOOK