Jain Center ST Louis 1999 05 Pratistha

SR No.: 528531
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Center St Louis
Publisher: USA Jain Center St Louis MO
Publication Year: 1999
Total Pages: 40
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Souvenir Jain Center MO St Louis, & USA
File Size: 4 MB

Page 27

Library is a Part of Tirth
Bharat Shah
A Tirthanker becomes a Kevali (omniscient) after shedding four ghati Karmas. He/she establishes a four-fold religious order consisting of: sadhus (monks), sadhvis (nuns), shravaks (laymen), and shravikas (laywomen). Sadhus, sadhavis, shravaks, and shravikas are called a Jangam (mobile) Tirth. Temples, which are established by shravaks, shravikas, and householders, are called Sthavar (stationary) Tirths. People pay obeisance to both the Jangan and Sthawar Tirths.
Lord Mahavira's mobile Tirth consisted of 14,000 sadhus, 36,000 sadhavies, 159,000 shravaks, and 318,000 shravikas. There were 700 Kevalis, 500 Manhparyayajnanies, and 1,300 Avadhijnanies. The mobile Tirth also included 300 people who had mastered all the fourteen Purvas, 1,400 people who had mastered all the Vads, and 300 people who possessed Vaikrayalabdhi. A person who can perceive thought-forms of others is called a Manhparyayajnani. A person who can perceive things that are out of the normal range of senses is called an Avadhijnani. A Vaikrayalabdhi possessor is one who can change his/her body form.
Lord Mahavira assigned the highest priority to jnana (knowledge) over all the other religious
One of the main principles of Jainism that is taught to youths today is Ahimsa, or NonViolence. This fundamental principle of Jainism has helped me mature as a person during my many years of involvement with the Jain Center of Greater St. Louis. Through the teachings of Jainism, I have learned to be non-violent in thought, speech, and action. In order to be nonviolent in thought, I always think positive. No matter what situation I am faced with, I always look for brightness. By having non-violent thoughts, my mind is always focused and able to think clearly. My non-violence in speech is reflected not only by my positive attitude, but also by my ability to communicate. By learning to be peaceful in speech, I get along with others more easily and my ability to make friends is facilitated. My non-violence in thought and speech ultimately reflects in my non-violence in
activities. A person cannot loosen the Mithyatva (false belief, ignorance) without knowledge. The Mithyatva is a very tough wall on the soul's path of purification and liberation. Without knowledge a person cannot observe Ahimsa (nonviolence) properly and cannot know what is the cause of suffering, unhappiness, disgrace, blindness, poverty, etc.
The mobile Tirth is the greatest resource for jnana (knowledge) for householders. Living in North America, the mobile Tirth is scarce. Our main source for knowledge is the library. The library is a stationary or a mobile Tirth. We should pay obeisance to this Tirth by accepting Swadhyay as one of the highest priorities in our daily activities.
Allowing others to read our books will result in the sharing of knowledge. The sharing will shed the Antaray (obstructive) Karmas and Knowledge Obscuring (Jnanavaraniya) Karmas. Creating an obstruction when another is gaining jnana will contract both the Antaray and Jnanavaraniya Karmas.
Jnana is the foundation of faith and liberation. Therefore, one should continuously strive to acquire jnana.
Ahimsa in the Real World Ronak Sheth (Pathsala Student)
actions. In Jainism, this component of Ahimsa is stressed heavily. The first step I learned from Jainism to be less violent in action was to become a vegetarian. By not eating meat, I am not supporting the killing of animals for food. In addition to this, my soul remains as pure as possible. My non-violence in action is also reflected in my temper. When I become angry at something or someone, I do not take it out by fighting or hitting others. Jainism has taught me other, more effective means of solving problems that do not result in violence. Throughout my involvement in Jainism, I have learned many valuable principles. The principle of Ahimsa has been most useful for me in my everyday life. By being non-violent in thought, speech and action, my life has become less stressful and my soul more purified. Through Jainism, I have learned to apply Ahimsa to the real world.
25