All in Good Faith

Author(s): Jean Potter, Marcus Braybrooke
Publisher: World Congress of Faiths

Page 56

9. JAIN PRAYERS
Vinod Kapashi
Jainism is a path which leads one to achieve freedom from the shackles of attachment and aversion. Jain scholars have always maintained that attachment to worldly things is the cause of karma or bondage. This path explains and shows the way of true freedom and this is why it is a way of life, an ideology which transcends argument and logic - an ideology which
makes sense.
The philosophy of Jainism has been studied through many many centuries. It is a simple philosophy. A person cannot attain happiness without distributing comforts and happiness to the people and animals around him. One cannot achieve peace without sharing the ideals of universal love with one's surroundings. In this way people will live in perfect harmony with nature. One is advised to see Godhood in everybody because each one of us has a potential to achieve that supreme status. This is a status of enlightenment.
Jains believe in 24 enlightened souls or Tirthankaras. The last to live on this earth was Mahavira who was born in 599 BC and died (attained nirvana) in 527 BC. Mahavira was born on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the month Chaitra. His real name was Vardhaman. He later came to be known as Mahavira (Great and brave), as he had conquered his inner passions and gained victory over all attachments. This is more than a victory in the battlefield. Though born as a prince, Mahavira left his royal household, gave up his worldly possessions and became a monk when he was 30 years old. He spent twelve and a half years in meditation and practising non-violence and self control. He obtained infinite knowledge when he was 42. He spent thirty years in teaching the principles of ahimsa (non violence), self control and austerities. He had also provided guidelines for lay people too.
Jainism is a dharma reflecting the true nature of our inner consciousness which manifests itself in practical life. It is not dogmatic and does not believe in an almighty creator but believes in the potential to become an enlightened soul. It is the path of right perception, right knowledge and right conduct leading towards 'the ultimate'.
Most Jains worship the images of Tirthankaras and pray to or praise the virtues of the Tirthankaras in various temples. Of course one need not go to a temple to pray or worship. One can do this in a quiet room in a house or any other place a person may choose.
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