JAINA Convention 2005 07 JCNC

SR No.: 527527
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 204
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Convention JAINA, & USA
File Size: 10 MB

Page 115

2005 der to Almighty).
Thus, so far as human life is concerned, it is endowed both with the demonic as well as divine traits of living and is further endowed with discriminative intellect to keep former tendencies under its complete control by developing the later virtues in one's own life day by day. The choice is thus left to us to make or mar our life by following either of these traits in our daily life. Our choice for the former will make us, two-legged animals and a choice for the later will make us Narayana from Nar, meaning a living God upon the earth.
'Look within' and 'discriminate rightly' is the only way out to conquer the demon in us with the aid of the Divine, which is our real nature. The questioner himself is the answerer in this inquiry of the Self and if he is sincere and truthful, the answer is bound to be correct provided the mind does not take resort to its defense mechanism. Such a correct answer is bound to lift you up even from its grassroots level and by scrupulously adhering to the same, one can easily realise the SELF (ATMAN) which 'Look within' is eagerly awaiting to take us in its lap and shower its Bliss on us. But unfortunately, we are today so much pre-occupied with our activities in the
and outer world of objects and beings that we hardly find any time to 'look within' and 'discriminate 'discriminate rightly' in the great rush of events of our hurried life from the womb to the tomb.
rightly' is the We have no great ideal to live upon nor do we ever think of any higher goal to be achieved in this short span of our life. We are all living a routine mechanical life as
s only way out to others live in the society around us. A great ideal or a higher goal is a prerequisite for
conquer the treading on the path of spirituality It is only with the help of this torch-light that we can dive deep into our bosom and have a victory over the demonic tendencies in us. demon in us
This process of introspection or say 'looking within' should start from our childhood and must continue till we breathe the last. A lapse even for a moment is likely with the aid of to cause great harm not only to us but to all around us. We have, therefore, to be
the Divine, always vigilant to ourselves and allow not the demonic tendencies to raise their hoods even when the situation so demands. This is possible only when we have developed which is our a capacity to observe every thought arising at every moment in our mind and to discriminate it rightly.
real nature. The Rishis of the ancient times have, therefore, divided our life span into four parts with specific duties to be performed by us in each span of life. These spans in our scriptural language are known as Ashramas (stages of life) namely: Brahmcharyashrama or the period of training. Grahasthashrama or period of work in the world as a house holder. Vanprasthashram or the period of retreat for loosening the social bonds and Sanayasashram or period of renunciation. In the first span of our life, namely Brahmcharyashram, we are required to devote ourselves singlepointedly only to our studies which should be both academic and spiritual. In this span we prepare ourselves steadily to plunge into the life of house holder to live a controlled life of Dharma (righteousness), Artha (security). Kama (desires) and Moksha (liberation) and which are the four Purusharthas (ways of life) to be accomplished in our life
wtending Jain Heritau
in Western Environm
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