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10th Biennial JAINA Convention
JAINISM
Compiled By: Pravin C. Shah, Garden City Park, NY Abbreviated from the works of Pujya Shri Sheelchandravijayji & Pradyumnavijayji. and P. K. Jain and Jain Magazines.
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Jainism originated for the benefit of all beings. Its main aim is the welfare of the whole universe, not only of humanity. It teaches us to love and help one another for the benefit of all. It preaches friendship with all living things. This is the central theme governing Jain philosophy
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Twenty-fourth Tirthankara, gave this mantra 2600 years ago. Furthermore, when Mahavira said "Live to let others live", he was not only referring to human beings; he was speaking for all life, including animals, earth, water, fire, air, and trees. All are living elements and all serve humanity. We should honor this debt, this obligation.
The root question is why humanity should kill other living things, why should we hate and neglect our fellow beings? It should be our firm conviction that amity between all humanity and all life is the real wealth. Non-violence is the only way to revolutionize humanity. Only through non-violence we can survive.
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The philosophy of Tirthankara Mahavira goes beyond the principle of modern science. It teaches us to live a life that allows all the elements of nature to remain in peace and harmony, without fear. Fearlessness is the foundation of supreme truth. It is rooted in non-violence.
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Origin
Jain comes from the Sanskrit word.Jina, "one who has conquered his/her inner enemies" of anger, greed, ego and deceit and implies conquest over all pain and bondage of birth and death. Jains believe their religion to one of the world's oldest, predating Hinduism and handed down from the remote past by series of enlightened sages and teachers called Tirthankaras.
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Serine of
The 24th and last Tirthankara, Lord Mahavira, was born in 599 B.C. in Bihar, India. He brought together in a systematic form Jain beliefs and philosophy. Mahavira was an elder contemporary of Buddha. At the age of 30, he gave up his family and possessions even his clothes and lived for 12 years as a wandering ascetic, fasting, doing penance and practicing deep meditation. He is then said to have reached enlightenment and until his death in 527 B.C. he spread the message of Jinas, founded an order of monks and nuns and laid the foundation of modern-day Jainism.
Scriptures
Jainism's beliefs, principles and philosophy expounded by Lord Mahavira were preserved orally until being written down about 800 years after his death. Many of them are now preserved in India
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Jain Education Interational 2010_03
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