$JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 388

F06 Story - Contemporary Jain Legends
01 - Shrimad Räjchandra - 1867 to 1901
followers. Today there are more than fifty ashrams in India and aboard where the followers worship and study Shrimad's literature based on the divine faith and testimony provided by Shri Laghuraj Swami. Shri Ambälälbhai Ambälälbhai, a native of Khambhat, was a very devoted disciple who sacrificed a brilliant legal career to be in the service of Shrimad. Shrimad entrusted him to copy scriptural works and his letters because of his exceptional memory. He and Shrimad's younger brother, Mansukhbhai, were responsible for recovering Shrimad's letters and writings and publishing them. Four years after Shrimad, in 1905 A.D., Ambälälbhai attained self-realization and passed away in deep samadhi at a very young age. Shri Joothäbhai Joothabhai was the first person to recognize Shrimad's divinity and accept him as his spiritual mentor. Their relationship was very close, but also very short as Shri Joothabhai passed away when
he was only 23 years old in 1890 A.D. Teachings and Contribution of Shrimad Räjchandra All of Shrimad's literature is based on Bhagwan Mahävir's teachings. He presented these teachings in simple Gujarati and Hindi in both prose and poetry forms. As we study Shrimad's writings in depth, we find that he has made an enormous effort to shed new light on true spirituality. He has succeeded in reforming the blind faith with real spiritual awakening. His biggest contribution is to point out the mistakes most people make in following a teacher based on the external conduct and dress code. The spiritual journey led by a wrong teacher leads the disciple to extended life cycles of misery and pain. On the other hand, when an aspirant is able to know and follow the teachings of a true teacher sadguru), he will be able to attain true freedom and liberation. 1. Morality: Good manners, good activities, and good behavior are the roots of holiness. All living beings are seen as equal. Therefore, do not cause pain to any soul, nor extort work from any soul beyond their ability and capacity. 2. Human life: All living beings long for permanent happiness, and there is no exception to this. This desire can be fulfilled only in a human life. Yet human beings choose unhappiness. This is due to his illusionary state (Mohaniya karma - Mithyätva) in which he sees happiness in worldly desires and possessions. 3. Non-attachment to Worldly Affairs (Vairagya): Detachment from worldly and materialistic affairs and family relationships is defined as Vairagya, and achieving it is essential for eternal happiness. True renunciation is always followed by the true knowledge of the self or the soul. Without true renunciation, a person will not be able to gain the true knowledge of the soul. If one stops only at the stage of renunciation and there is no desire for true knowledge, his/her human life would be in vain. 4. Knowledge and Wisdom: Through proper knowledge, we are able to know the forms and qualities of the substances of the universe. The Jain scripture, Uttaradhyayan Sutra, indicates that "Knowledge is like a needle with thread. Just like a needle with a thread in it does not get lost, a person with knowledge will not lose the right religious path in this world."
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Compendium of Jainism - 2015