Dev Dravya

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 8

JAIN DARSHAN www.jsmconline.org Indira Mansukhlal Doshi Memorial Trust A non-profit tax-exempt organization 931 Goldenrod Lane Lake Forest, IL 60045 Send Comments & Suggestions to: Manubhai Doshi - Editor Tel: 847-735-0120 mansukhdoshi@yahoo.com Dilip Shah - Sub-Editor Tel: 847-821-7460 dashah@comcast.net Rajnikant & Chandan Shah - Sub-Editors Tel: 630-876-1279 rtshah41@yahoo.com Indrajit Shah - Sub-Editor Tel: 847-895-2645 ishah@att.net Dr. Chandrakant Shah - Sub-Editor Tel: 847-517-3324 cshah@joltmail.com Neha Shah - Jr. Editor Tel: 630-789-4588 Printed by Kishor & Trupti Kuvadia at Sir Speedy Printing, 311 South Wacker Drive Chicago, Il 60606 .........Countinued from page 3 The main question is, 'Can Dev Dravya be used for because Acharyas like Rajendrasuri and other purposes?' As said above, there are no canoniJaychandrasuri do not object to the use of Dev cal strictures against other uses. Moreover, Jainism Dravya for other wholesome purposes. does permit the change in approach in view of changes in Dravya (subject), Kshetra (place), Kal (time) and In light of this discussion let us consider what should Bhav (mode). Whatever the stipulations might have be the approach of Jain Societies in America. Most of been made earlier, the time and place have changed. them did not have the concept of Dev Dravya till Our approach should change in lieu thereof. In spite recently. As such, their income was put to use for any of that, if the office bearers of a Society want to purpose relating to the community. The people, who refrain from using Dev Dravya for other purposes, came from India during last few years, are tradition they can at least keep in mind the above-cited view of oriented. They were taken aback to notice the use of Acharya Vallabhsuri. A substantial part of the inDev Dravya for other purposes and strongly objected come of Jain societies arises from Poojans associto it. When they pointed out that the use of Devated with conception, birth and initiation of the Lords. Dravya for other purposes would lead to the deluding e.g. celebration of Mother's dreams, Snatra Pooja, Karma for 7000 trillion Sagaropams, the office-bear- Indra Mahotsav, etc. Since those celebrations pertain ers of the Societies became cautious and have been to pre-Kaivalya stages, the income therefrom should increasingly resorting to the conventional view. Who remain exempt from the purview of Dev Dravya. would dare to make use of the money for other That would also apply to the income from the rituals purposes, if he has to face such a long-lasting Karma? performed in front of the idol with Angi, because that Moreover, most of the Jain Societies are still in need represents a pre-initiation state of the Lords. of more resources for expansion, renovation and maintenance of their temples.