Essence of Jainism Part 02

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

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Even inanimate things bear desired results if properly controlled. So if a human being controls the senses, accepting vows for this purpose, he would certainly be freed from the bonds of the karmas and the circle of births and deaths. He would get eternal bliss. We should observe the vows as per our capacities to do so in order to close the gates of senses that admit fresh sins and to shed the accumulated sins. This is the purpose of religious life. (Please refer to Chepter No. 1 of Part 1.)
SAMAYKATVA (RIGHT BELIEF): Before observing Twelve Vratas, it is necessary to have right belief in Jainism. If what we believe is not right. vows observed by us, will be useless. Samaykatva Vrat should, therefore, be taken along with any vrat or vratas to be accepted. It means that true faith in Nine Fundamental reals viz. Jiv, Ajiv(non-life) Punya (merit), Pap (sin), Ashrav (influx of karma), Samvar (stoppage of karma), Bandha (bonds of karma) and Moksha (libreation). To believe firmly in the above reals as described in Jainism constitutes true faith,
SUDEV (RIGHT GOD) : We should believe in Arihant anc Siddhas who have preached the above Nine Fundamental reais and who are free from eighteen sins (pap sthanakas).
SUGURU (RIGHT PRECEPTORS) : Suguru is one who practices the five Great Vows, expounds true religion, is not attached to gold and a woman and observes charitra (monkhood)
SUDHARMA (RIGHT RELIGION) : Right Religion consists of Non-violence, self-control and austerity ( 3IH BİGHT TOT 1)
Note : We should sincerely believe in Sudev, Suguru and Sudharma both as means of liberation and dispenser of permanent bliss. We should not believe in any other liberators, nor should we offer our respect and bow down to those of different faiths if required by exceptional force of circumatances, we may show respect to them so as to conduct ourselves as common sense suggests.
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