Introduction To Jainism

SR No.: 034405
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: SKPG Jain Philosophical and Literary Research Centre
Publication Year: 2015
Total Pages: 52
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 1 MB

Page 29

369198188INTRODUCTION TO JAINISM 81818BAS
Three Sensed: - Ants, Bed bugs etc. They have body + Tongue + Nose.
Four Sensed - Flies, Mosquitoes, Bees, Cockroaches etc. They have Body + Tongues + Nose + Eyes.
Five Sensed : Jiwas are with body + Tongue (Mouth) Nose, Eyes & Ears - Five senses living beings consist of human beings, Animals, Birds, Hellish being and Celestial dieties. They with five senses, may be with or without mind (Sangni Panchendriya & Asangni. Panchendriya.
JAIN FESTIVALS Festivals can be divided into two categories Viz: (1) LAUKIK PARVAS (LOK PARVA) (2) LOKOTTAR PARVA Laukik Parva - Public Festivals
These are relating to social, national & other types of non religious festivals. They are celebrated with enjoyment and mainly worldly amusement. These programmes involve consumption of luxurious Food-drinks etc. However, all Jain Festivals are of 'Lokottar type' meant for spiritual uliftment and directed at observation of penance and renouncement of material aspect of life.
PARYUSAN PARVA : Paryusana is king of all festivals. Therefore it is titled as "Parvadhiraja" implying royal nature & status; it is honoured accordingly. Sometimes there is a slight variation of the beginning & ending day amongst the various sects. Sometimes, Swetambar sects, observe 'Paryusana' during Shravana Krishna - (vad) 13" to Bhadrapada Shukla-sudi 5th by Sthanakvasi sub sects, including Terapanthi, whereas Moortipujak - (Deravasi) observe & celebrate from Shravana Krishna - (vadi) 12th to Bhadrapada shukla-(sudi) 4. In case of Digambara sect, they call these festivals as "Das Lakshana Parva" i. e. Festivals Fasting for 10 days denoting ten virtues khanti (Kshama - Forgiveness) etc. Last day of Paryusana parva of Swetambar sect is observed as "Samvatsari". During this festival of eternal nature (it has no beginning nor end, i.e. shaswata) shravakas & shravikas observe, undertake, spiritual activities and rituals consisting of prayers, attending sermons, Lectures, Discourses by monks (sadhu-Sadhvis), based on Teachings delivered by Lord Mahavira during his times and covered in form of sootras in Agamas. "Vanchani" a type of Group reading of Agamas and explaining,
1919 SISISI INTRODUCTION TO JAINISMONIISKISA discussion on questions - (Queries raised on interpretation and solution to their problems faced in implementation etc.) It is a type of coaching class of small group of interested inquisitive devotees eager to know deeply. Morning & Evening Pratikramans a ritual reviewing faults & sins committed during night & day and apologizing for the same, & efforts to avoid them as far as possible for spiritual purification Shravaks a Shravikas also undertake other spiritual activities, programmes involving penance, meditation, rituals like chanting mantras like 'Navakara' repeatedly (JAPA) and undertake fasting and such other Tapas. Observing vrata samayik etc., offer Donations for various types of activities and observe celibacy wholly or partly as per their capacities.
"AYAMBIL OLI' In Jainism this is a unique type of festival of Lokottar type and of eternal nature. It is a chain of festival. Every year it is observed twice - First one from Chaitra Shukla 7 & Second one from Aswin shukla 7 and lats for 9 (Nine) days upto Poornima of, that month concerned. During observance of 'Ayambil Tapa', only one time meal and that too, 'dry' type, is to be taken. Any juicy or tasty diet containing Ghee, Oil, Milk, Curd, Buttermilk, Molaces, Sugar, Sweets, Vegetables, Fruits or even spicy food of any type, whatsoever, is NOT-PERMITTED. Rest of the day till sunset is to be passed with consumption of only boiled water (cooled in natural way). This type of penance carries an inherent principle, one has to consume food & water just to be alive and not to live for eating & drinking popularly known "Eat, Drink & be merry". This is a great penance aimed at winning over "taste" as a part of Spiritual Exercise.
There are arrangements for providing free "Ayambil Food" as described above at "Ayambil shala's attached with Big Upashrayas & Derasars. There Persons holding this vrat for one day and more are honoured & served with all respect and honour, with sense of appreciation & devotion called "Sadharmik Bhakti" However, one can perform Ayambil at his home also if so desired, with permissible items of his choice. In performance of Ayambil tapa of Nine (9) days besides food aspect, the main strees is laid on Meditational thought & ponderence of Navapada i.e. Five pada of Panch Parmeshti. Navkar Mantra and added with four virtues like samyak Darshan,
46