Essence of Jainism Part 02

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

Page 12

attending a procession carrying the idol of Jina in a (silver) chariot etc. (25) Pilgrimage to holy places (26) Equaminity of the soul (Upasham) (27) Discretion-Viveka (between the good and the bad) (28) Samvar (Absataining totally from all sinful activites) (29) Moderation in speech (30) compassion towards six kinds of living orgainsms. (31) Company of religious-minded persons (32) Control of senses (33) To aspire for monkhood (34) Great respect for the congregation (Sangh) (35) Getting written (Scared) Books (36) Distributing gifts to co-religionists especially in a place of pilgrimage, as a token of respect for their religious activite
The Shravaks (Jains) of older generation used to observe these vows and duties firmly. Though unable to accept SarvaVirati (monkhood), they did adjust their life style with that of a Sadhu. They were as self-controlled as monks, in observing the above duties sincerely.
Let us undertake at least two to four duties from the above 36, and practise them. In the present life, we should observe at least a few of the above duties to cultivate good impressions within us, which will help us in next births, to be free from our bonds of karma and in course of time, to get liberation.
The success of human life lies only in cultivating good qualities of character. Lord Mahavir, therefore, used to cite the illustrations of the house-holders to encourage the monks to be more firm in observing monkhood, pointing out how firmly these house-holders had observed the duties enjoined on them.
The house holders observing a Paushadh recite the following Sutra after completing the Paushadha. "All honour, indeed to the royal sage Sagarchandra, King Chand vadasao (Chandravransaka) and Saudarshan Sheth, who observed the (eleven) Paushadh Padimas (as given below) unblemishly until their death. Lord Mahavir also praised the firm observance of the vratas by Shravika like Shulsha and Shravakas like Anand and Kamdev. The 7th Agam 'Upasak Dasha Sutra' gives the life storeis of ten shravakas of Mahavir Swami. They are (1) Anand (2) Kamdev (3) Gathapati Chulanipita (4) Suradeva (5) Chulla-shatak (6) Gathapati-Kuhakolik (7) Saddal Putra (8) Maha Shatak (9) Nandini pita (10) Shalini pita as they demonstrate in themselves ideal of a householder."
The Eleven padimas or stages, practised by the Shravakas in former days, for gradually adopting one's self to ascetic ways-the