Atmanandji Jainacharya Janmashatabdi Smarakgranth

Author(s): Mohanlal Dalichand Desai
Publisher: Atmanand Janma Shatabdi Smarak Trust

Page 229

Teachings of Mahavira
Mahavira's great message to mankind was that birth is nothing, that caste is nothing and that Karma is everything and on the destruction of Karma, future happiness depends.
According to Mahavira, a monk should avoid untruth, sinful speech, and should not be deceitful. Nothing sinful, hurtful and meaningless should be told. He should sally forth and return at the right time. He should collect alms freely given. He must learn and conquer 22 troubles e. g. hunger, thirst, cold, heat, nakedness, erratic life, women, abuse, corporal punishment, dirt, ignorance etc. He should try to get distilled water. He should not walk beyond the prescribed time remembering the teachings of Jina. He should meditate on the law. He should not be angry if abused. He will be a true Samana if he continues to search for the welfare of his soul. Loss of comforts should not be lamented for. He should cast aside all fetters and all hatred. Pious ascetics get over the impassable Samsara. A houseless monk should not desire women, Monks should go to the highest place after annihilation of their Karma. A true monk is one who does not care for his life, who abandons every delusion, who always practises auste rities and avoids men and women. A monk should not take from the house holder bed, lodging, food, drink, etc. He who practises self-discipline meditates on his soul, wise, hardy, calm and does not hurt anybody, is a true monk. He should not occupy places for sleep or rest frequented by women. He should take up a detached lodging not frequented by women to preserve his chastity. The pious monk should abstain from ornaments. A monk should be steadfast, righteous, content, restrained and attentive to his duties. Birth is misery. Old age is misery and so are disease and death. Nothing but misery is the samsara, in which men suffer distress. A monk should be impartial towards all beings in the world & careful to speak truth. He should keep the severe vow of chastity. Mental and bodily penances should be practised. An ascetic will by means of his simplicity enter the path of Nirväņa. A monk should destroy doubts; passion should be subdued. Those who truly believe in the subject of exertion in righteousness taught by Mahavira, put faith in it, give credence to it, accept it, practise it, comply with it, study it, understand it, learn it, and act up to it, have obtained per148 :
[ Shree Atmaramji