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B.1.2.1.2
Aspects of Social work / Social service in Jainism
Dr. Shugan Chand Jain
1.0
Preamble:
Rahe bhāvanā esi merī sarala satya vyavahāra karūm Bane jahā taka esa jīvana mem auro kā upakāra karūs ||
Maitrī bhāva jagata mem merā saba jīvo se nitya rahe Dina dukhi jīvo para mere ura se Karūņā stotra bahe || 1
May my desire be ever for dealings fair and straight? May my heart only delight in doing well to others to the best of my abilities in my life! May I always entertain a feeling of friendliness for all living beings in the world? May the spring of sympathy in my heart be ever bubbling for those in agony and affliction?
The above four lines have been extracted from the daily prayer of householder Jains which show their heart pouring for social engagements for the well being of the society.
Further even the three distinguishing characteristics of Jina (the perfect beings whose sermons Jains practice) include Hitopadeśa or delivering sermons for well being of the society 2
The above verses and statements show that Jains, though engaged in self improvement and spiritual purity do so by keeping the welfare of the society in their mind uppermost.
2.0 Jain doctrine: The word Jain is derived from Jina, a person who has attained supreme soul status by conquering his sensual inclinations/tendencies so as to be able to meditate and enjoy his own nature of infinite knowledge and bliss. The followers of the path shown by Jinas are called Jains. Thus the entire doctrine of Jainism centers on self improvement, with due consideration to the well being of the society they live in, till the perfect state or nirvana
1 Meri Bhāvanā by Pt. Jugal Kishore, stanzas 4 and 5 2 The three attributes of Apta (Jina) are free from all kinds of flaws (dośa), omniscient (sarvajňa) and delivering sermons of universal beneficence (Hitopadeśa). Ratnakaranda-srävakācāra by Samant abhadra verse 5-8.
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0
