JAINA Convention 1993 07 Pittusburgh

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

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Bahusali statue is one of the Ten Wonders of the World, and in an object of universal veneration.
Theme: Jainism: Past, Present
and, Future
the mundane souls to free themselves from karmic bondage and attain liberation by means of right believe-knowledge-conduct. Thus, the Jaina concept of attaining the ultimate sage (Siddha) is positive. It not only indicates freedom from ignorance and misery but also the attainment of omniscience and infinite bliss from which there can be no further relapse.
by Dr. Hem Chand Jain "HEM"
Antiquity of Jainism:
Einstein has said that "knowledge and faith are two inseparable companions in the universe. Knowledge is science and faith is religion. Religion without science is blind and science without religion is lame." In this regard, Jainism comes very close in principles in understanding the living and non-living entities of the universe. Its message of peace and happiness is for all beings.
The religion has two-folded connotation: Primarily the nature or substance that exists, and secondarily it connotes the means or the path by which that essential or inherent nature is realized or achieved.
Jainism is an ancient religion, and its philosophy has been expounded again and again by the Jinas in a series of cosmic-cycles having neither a beginning nor an end. According to Jaina metaphysics, the cosmos is nothing but the conglomeration of six types of selfexisting, uncreated eternal substances: 1. infinite soul units, 2. infinite times & infinite matter particles, 3. one ether (medium of motion). 4. one anti-ether (medium of rest), 5. one space (medium of accommodation) and 6. innumerable time particles (medium of changing
ess). In these, only matter is of matetial form and the rest five substances are of immaterial form.
The mundane beings are in impure condition on account of the bondage of Karmas with souls. Upon becoming sure, they are free from further stain foruver. Each soul is a distinct entity and does not merge into another conscious
ess. The one cannot be changed into the other. It is possible and desirable for
Jainism is an ancient religion which flourished in India long before the advent of the Aryans. Archaeological excavations at "Mohanjodaro and Harappa" trace the existence of Jainism five thousand years ago. The Kayotsarga pose of these deities resembles that of the standing image of Rsabha from Mathura.
The antiquities of Mathura are of great importance for Jainism: They brought to light the existence of a famous Jain establishment at "Kankali Tila" of the second century B.C. This site has provided a veritable information of Jain sculptures most of which are now deposited in the Locknow Museum. The idol of Tirthankara Arahnath bears an inscription that this idol was installed within the enclosure of this "stupa" constructed by Devas in Samvat 78.
The Hathigumpha inscription of Udaigiri hill (about 3 miles from Bhuwaneshwar, Orrisa) written in Apb- hransa Prakrit throws valuable light on the antiquity of Jainism. It begins with an invocation to Arhanta and Siddhas The inscription belongs to Kalingo King Kharvela, who ruled Orrisa during 450 B.C.
Rsabha is the first Tirthankara or Jina. The word Bhart, the name for India, was given after Emperor Bharats, the first son of Lord Rsabha. His second son was Bahnsali, has been exquisitely exemplified by the magnificent monolithic statue, 58 feet tall, in Sravanabelagola, Karnathaka, India. The
According to the Jains, the wheel of time incessantly revolves, pendulum like in half-circles, one ascending (Utsarpini) and the other descending (Avasarpini) from pleasurable to irksome period and back to the former, completing one Kalpa-kala. Each half circle is divided into six subdivisions. The subdivisions of the Avasarbini (descending half circle) are known as the first (happy-happy), second (happy), third (happy-unhappy), fourth (unhappy-happy), fifth (unhappy) and sixth (unhappy-unhappy) periods of ages (kalas). At the end of the sixth kala of Avasarpini the revolution reverses and the Utsarpini (ascending half-circle) commences with its first age being again the sixth, followed by fifth, fourth, third, second and first kalas, successively, retracing its steps like the pendulum of a clock and the process goes on ad infinitum. In Utsarpini, gradual evolution and in Avasarpini gradual devolution takes place in human- innocence, happiness, bodily strength and stature, span of life and the length of the age (kala) itself changes the first age being the longest and the sixth the shortest. Conditions in the first, second and third ages are those of a Bhogabhumi (happy and contented, enjoyment based land), while life in the other three ages is that of a Karmabhumi (land of action based on individual as well as collective efforts). The fourth age (unhappy-happy) of either cycle is supposed to be the best from the point of view of human civilization and culture and it is this age that produces a number of Tirthankaras and other great personages.
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"The first poet of the Kannada language was a Jain. The credit for writing the
ancient and the best literary works goes to the Jains."
-R. B. Narasimhacharya 7TH BIENNIAL JAINA CONVENTION - JULY 1993