Essence of Jainism Part 01

Author(s): Kushalchandravijay
Publisher: 108 jain Tirth Darshan Trust

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Explanation of Six-Fold Duties of a House-Holder: 1. Worship of God:
He who truely worships Jina in true form, will himself in course of time, become as good as Jina. In this world even kings, emperors and millionaires do not enjoy peace of mind. Every one suffers from some sort of trouble or the other. Alas! the worldly existence is so imperfect by nature.
We should, therefore, behold in joy, worship and adore that Supreme Soul, who while living in the midst of this miserable world, realised peace within and in course of time became free from the cycle of births and deaths, becoming one who shall no more be born again, achieving perfect happiness for realising that peace that every one craves for.
However, in the absence of a Supreme Soul (Parmatma), to guide us the true path to free ourselves from this world is His Idol and the inspiring Massage contained in His sayaings viz. His Words, Idol and Words are the Jina Murti and Jina Agama respectively.
We learn the Alphabet in our childhood by means of a picture chart. It contains 'a' for apple and 'b' for book etc. It is the picture that helps us to learn the different letters.
Idol Worship (Saguna Upasana - Nirguna Upasana):
After learning the Alphabet and passing the elementary stage, we proceed further in our studies and obtain highest degree. Then we no longer require the help of the picture chart to decipher the script. Similarly, we should first learn to concentrate on the idol worship and so helped take to the worship of a formless God as we grow in devotation.
When we receive a telegram of good news, we feel happy, but if we receive bad news, we feel sad and unhappy. Visual aids like film strips, dramas and TV. etc; help us through pictures and words in understanding a subject. Similarly by worship, devotion and adoration of idol and by reading and meditating on scriptures containing the words of God, we can bring about a transformation in our thinking and perception. Hence, there is the importance of the Idol of God and the Holy Scriptures. To behold in love adore and worship His Idol is worship through form and to study His Words and to remember, recite, envision and contemplate on Him is to worship Him through Word.
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