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through resolve and penance," Pragyaji added. Meanwhile, the State government has said that it would abide by the Court's orders over the issue.
Santhara or Sallenkhana is a procedure in which a Jain stops eating with the intention of preparing for death. This is different from suicide as it is not taken in passionate mood of anger, deceit or other emotions, but is undertaken only when the body is no more capable of serving its owner as a instrument of spirituality and when inevitability of death is a matter of undisputed certainty. The intention is to purify the body, and remove all thought of the physical things from the mind.
Jainism was found by Acharya Rishabhdev, who is considered the first Tirthankar (religious teacher). Mahaveer was the last and the most famous. The basic idea behind Jains' fasting is to acquire lowest possible negative karma and purifies one self in the process. Santhara, in this sense, is the best way to purification. Jain women more often do fasting than men. Fasting also purifies body and mind, and reminds the practitioner of Mahavira's emphasis on renunciation and asceticism, because Mahavira spent a great deal of time fasting. The sole intention is to purify the body, and remove all thought of the physical things from the mind. As well as giving up food and water, the ascetic abandons all desires and dislikes so that they can concentrate exclusively on the spiritual as they approach death.
SANTHARA A RELIGIOUS PRACTICE IN JAIN RELIGION TO ATTAIN MOKSHA
Santhara is different from suicide which is an act of cowardice of a frustrated and emotionally unstable mind. It is also different from mercy killing or euthanasia, where a terminally ill patient who is unable to bear pain desires to die. It is also an escapist route. Neither it is like a sati reserved for women who are burnt forcefully on pyre. On the other hand it is considered a more noble action as it requires a very high echelon of thoughts to be able to realise that one is open to death. Death in Jainism is nothing but transition from one experience to another. But it has a profound impact on all our future conditions of life. Here all our unfulfilled desires and ideas condense into an intense feelings and longings drawing us into the new environment and conditions congruent with our feelings. Hence it is equanimity is required at the time of death as it will determine which gati our soul will take.
Santhara is always taken in contemplation of death, where one is sure that ones time has come and all other responsibilities are over. This ensures that all attachment to the materialistic life and body itself ceases. It may be noted that universally, law also treats actions done in "contemplation of death" or "causa mortis" as different actions from normal activities. For example Gift in contemplation of death which would be ordinarily taxed is not taxed by law. In the same way, Santhara in contemplation of death is different from suicide or euthanasia. The principle behind this is that a person while giving up this body with complete peace of mind, calmness, and patience, without any fear at all not only prevents the influx of the new karmas but also purges the old karmas which are attached to the soul. It is done by a person in complete control of oneself. Chandragupta Maurya, Sane Guruji, Veer Savarkar and Vinoba Bhave are all have died through Sallekhana. They all were rationalists. Courtesy: Anish Shah.
JAINS SPLIT WIDE OPEN ON GUJARAT CONVERSION BILL
Ahmedabad / Rajkot / surat/vadodara - MODI continues to court controversy and this time, it is his Government's decision to include Jainism into the Hindu-fold that has unleashed a debate among the community members. While Ahmedabad witnessed dharnas and agitations, Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara remained relatively quiet. In Ahmedabad, this decision certainly has no takers among the community leaders. According to Shobhagmal Kataria, president of Bharat Jain Maha Mandal (Gujarat), the main issue is the Government has termed Jainism as one of the denominations of Hinduism. "We have no problem people converting from Jainism to Hinduism or vice-versa. But to say that Jainism and Buddhism are part of Hinduism is ridiculous. It seems that the Government is not aware of reality," he said, adding, "We are a different religion, different culture and different way of life. Jainism is even older than Hinduism." At a dharna held at the Town Hall members of Jain and Buddhist communities gathered under the banner of 'Committee to Fight Against Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act' to register their protest. They also burnt dummy copies of the proposed Bill while shouting anti-Modi slogans. "We are here to protest the Bill, as it is unconstitutional and misleading," said Dhammachari Ratnakar, convener of the committee. In Gujarat, the total population of Jains is about 5.25 lakh. Jains in Gujarat are considered to be financially strong and highly educated community. This may also be a reason for Modi to touch this subject.
Unlike Ahmedabad, Rajkot did not see dharna or agitations by Jains. But it doesn't mean that the community, which has wholeheartedly supported Modi since his maiden election in 2002, is happy. Modi won the Rajkot-II by-election in February 2002 with the support of around 45,000 Jain voters. The community now stands divided over the issue. People, who supported and later felicitated Modi for winning a case of Cow Protection Act in Supreme Court, are shocked. Though the political leaders affiliated to the BJP have welcomed the amendment, those representing religious trusts and laymen are not happy with the State Government's move.
"Jainism is a completely different religion based on an altogether different ideology. It cannot be part of Hinduism. Jains' religious feelings have been hurt," said Kishor Lakhani, trustee of Digamber Jain Temple in Rajkot. It's the religious leaders of Digambar sect who have started agitation in New Delhi demanding Modi Government's ouster. More trouble is brewing for Modi from Vanik Navnat Sammelan, which is an association of businessmen belonging to nine castes, including Digambar and Shwetambar Jains, Modh Jains and even Swaminarayan. Majority of the members of the association are based in Rajkot. Former chief minister and NCP leader Chhabildas Mehta, who is president of the Sammelan said, "We are planning to pass a resolution against the Bill in our next meeting scheduled for October 1." A Jain himself, Mehta added, "I consider the law unconstitutional. Every individual has right to choose and practice his religion. A law cannot define a person as Hindu or Jain,"
"One of the reasons that Modi won the Rajkot-II by-election in the home town of Keshubhai Patel was Jains' support. During all these years, the Jains have felicitated and honoured him on number of occasions. But now the Jain leaders in Rajkot are having tough time convincing the community to welcome the amendment," said a leader on condition of anonymity. Since the time of first mayor of Rajkot, Arvind Maniyar, a Jain, the community has been loyal to the BJP. Modi, with his communication skills and charisma, has pulled even the new generation of the Jain communities toward the BJP. There are around 90,000 Jains, including all sub-sects in Rajkot
http://jainsamaj.org/magazines/ahimsatimesshow.php?id=105
05/18/2011
