________________
264
THE WAY OF LIFE
stand the Dharmagranthas in accordance with their own beliefs and prejudices. They do not form their opinions and beliefs according to the Dharmagranthas. Such people cannot realise the supreme truth.
From the Audience:
Are temples and idols permanent ? Have they been in existence from times immemorial ?
:
Maharajashri Temples and idols are permanent as well as transient. There are millions of temples in the heavenly world. They are eternal and everlasting. There are countless everlasting Jin temples and Jin idols, on the Nandishwardweep. We get a description of them in our Agam granthas. The temples that are built on earth are transitory.
In this period of Avasarpini the first Tirthankar Paramatma, Rishabhdev attained Nirvana on the Astapad mountain. The Emperor Bharatha built many temples in which he installed the idols of the twenty four Tirthankars of the Avasarpini period in these temples. Those idols were studded with gems and precious stones. These events took place in very ancient times.
Temples and idols have been in existence from times immemorial. Those who believe in the Jain Agamas do not discredit these stories. Those who are bound by traditions may not believe them but these stories are believed to be authentic by those who have faith in the shastras and who possess incisive intelligence.
Well, how much contemplation has taken place in respect of violence and non-violence.
From the Audience:
Now, our doubts have been cleared. Maharajashri : You must be free from all doubts. Truth is that which does not give room to doubts. Vijnan or pure knowledge is the fifth quality of the intelligence. Vijnan means a special kind of knowledge. When knowledge has speciality and purity, there cannot be any doubt in it. Pure knowledge is above and beyond all doubts.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org