Book Title: ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04
Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
View full book text
________________
2.3 Sy dhy ya or self studying of spiritual development literature
It involves reading either by oneself or in groups, holy texts for enhancing our knowledge about spiritual purification activities. This also involves attending to sermons of monks or special religious classes being conducted from time to time. In Jain philosophy, this is very important activity as without right knowledge, we cannot perform our duties in a right manner.
2.4 Sa yama or self control
Normally a lay person performs this by setting certain limits to be observed by him/her, like eating so many types of food or not going to a place farther than 50 KMS etc. Here the emphasis is on controlling your desire by controlling your activitiesof mind, body and speech. Some people even observe silence for specific periods of time. Jains say that activities of mind, body and speech cause influx of karmas to the soul.
2.5 Tapa or observing austerities
Jains talk of two type of tapa. However layman generally refers to external type like fasting etc to be observed on a regular basis. By observing these, Jains feel that destruction of karmas bonded with soul take place.
2.6 D na or performing charitable activities
Generally it involves offering food to the monks. However these days building temples, organizing group p js, doing socially desirable work like donating to schools, hospitals, natural disaster activities etc are becoming a part of this activity. Jains are known for charity.
3.0 Jain parvas / festivals
3.1 Background
Festivals have been an integral part of Indian cultural. We can learn about the culture, life style and standard of living of a society by observing the objective and actual celebration of its festivals. The word parva in Hindi means an occasions/event/celebration. It is an occasion when we tend to forget our day to day duties, problems etc and try to learn ways and means and then enhance our happiness. We all look forward to celebrates and enjoy our festivals.
3.2 Peculiarities of Jain festivals
Jain philosophy always talk of attaining salvation i.e. purification of soul completely from all types of bondages. Parvas provide an opportunity to focus on this objective and learn more about attaining it and practicing activities accordingly at least during the parvas. A Jain thus things, "I have been going through endless cycles of birth-death for times unmemorable. Now is the time to break this cycle and attain permanent status i.e. Moksa or liberation:
i. Observes fasts of different severity levels so as to develop detachment from our body, win control
over our sensual pleasures an focus on our soul. ii. Spend more time in our temples performing worship rituals / meditation and listening to sermons
from monks. iii. Visiting monks and listening to their sermons. iv. Charity i.e. our gifts (monetary, service, knowledge, medicines etc.) v. Undertaking pilgrimages.
If we analyze the above activities, we shall find that all these activities relate to giving up worldly activities and including more in spiritual purification by minimizing the anger, pride, deceit and greed (passions) and enhancing right belief, right knowledge.
Discussed in earlier lecture separately.
Page 181 of 556
STUDY NOTES version 4.0
