Way of Life Part 1

SR No.: 006513
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 432
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Religion
File Size: 22 MB

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THE WAY OF LIFE
Do you know what kind of man is called a Thirtankar ? Thirtha means philosophy or Dharmashasan. The man who establishes and expounds the true dharmashasan or philosophy is called a Thirtankar. Thirtham Karothi Ithi Thirtankarah. This is the origin of the word Thirtankar. That dharma which takes us across the ocean of Samsar is Thirta. Thirta is that by whose help we can cross the ocean of Samsar. Thiryate Anena Ithi Thirtham. That which takes us across the ocean of Samsar, that is the ocean of sorrow, is called Thirtha. Thirtankar is the name given to those who establish and expound such a thirth. The Thirtankar has this supreme compassion of liberating all jivas from all sorrows.
WE SHOULD BECOME WORTHY OF THE THIRTANKAR'S COMPASSION
That man who becomes worthy of the compassion of the Thirtankar can get rid of all his sorrows. He can cross the ocean of sorrow. So, we should desire to become worthy of the Thirtankar's compassion. In order to attain this worth, we should cleanse and purify our hearts. The divine compassion of the Thirtankar falls into a heart that is absolutely pure. The heart becomes pure only by means of such exalted emotions as amity, compassion, etc. You should not consider any jiva as your enemy; you should not think of causing harm to any jiva. This is the first and foremost condition of amity and compassion. The second condition is that you should consider all jivas as your friends and you should think of liberating all jivas from their sorrows. Your heart must throb with compassion, when you see others in sorrow. You must consider that the agonies of others are your own and you must experience them as your own. Then the Thirtankar Paramatma will remove all your sorrows and his compassion will destroy all your sorrows. First, you show compassion to other jivas. Do not worry about your sorrows. As long as you keep thinking of your own sorrows, you cannot become worthy of the Thirtankar's compassion and grace.
Understand the divine doctrine of the Paramatma's grace