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Letter 19
129
Belief. Here are the names of them in their serial order (1)Jeev (soul) (2) Ajeev (non-soul) (3) Asrava (influx), (4) Bandha (bondage), (5) Samvar (stoppage) (6) Nirjara (gradual shedding or dissociation) and (7) Moksha ( liberation or emancipation ). Is it not easy? The names can be memorised quickly.
Reena you have seen for yourself at Pune that 3 years old Sanika, 5 years old Natasha and 7 years old Raunak and many other kids could recite the names of all the seven Tattvas and six substances on the tips of their fingers.
In last letter we have seen the stages of Charitra with reference to absence of different Kashayas. Their names were known by heart to older students. It was very pleasing to see that these young students, studying engineering and dentistry etc. were perfect in their knowledge of Jainism in only one or two seminars.
Despite the fact that they have been studying with English medium in their schools and colleges, they were attending the lectures (which were delivered in Marathi) daily for about 7 to 8 hours. Also they were looking after the general administration of the seminar. Having their dinner before sunset i.e. 6 p.m. they were attending class conducted by Reena at 6.30 p.m. The grasping power of today's young generation is amazing. And therefore the teacher feels more enthusiastic to teach them.
We have just gained the primary knowledge about the Prayojanbhoot Tattva. In the following letters we will be discussing them in details. We will tap on the following points.
What is Tattva? Which are the Prayojanbhoot Tattvas ? How many are they in numbers and what are their names? Discussion regarding their nature or characteristics in details. The wrong belief about the Prayojanbhoot Tattva which are held since times immortal. Out of the seven Tattvas which are the Heya (), Dnyeya () and Upadeya (a) Tattvas? How to know and identify or cognise Atma after knowing the seven fundamental principles? In other words how to differentiate between 'Swa' and 'Para' and have Atmanubhooti. Because, our motive in reading and studying the scriptures is not for knowing only their literal meaning but it is to have the knowledge and experience of Atma through them.
Further discussions about the above things will be in my next letters. We are leaving for Deolali to attend the Prashikshan seminar held from 14th May to 31st May. Till then revise all we have learnt so far.
With love.
Your Mom.