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JAINAL 2015 ᅲᅲ
- 2005
JAIN LIFESTYLE
By Samani Madhur Pragya
Universe is eternal and life is the most valuable thing in this universe. Every living being has a soul, which is also eternal. The true nature of a pure soul is beyond our capacity to fully comprehend. However, we can say it has Infinite knowledge, Complete Perception, Permanent Bliss, and Infinite Energy. Unluckily, the inherent powers of our souls are blocked by the Karmic particles that we have accumulated in the past. We humans have the unique opportunity to get rid of these karmic particles and start realizing the true nature of our self. Mahaveer showed us a path to realize our true existence. The people making an honest attempt to follow that path with the purpose of purifying one's own soul is a true Jain.
The path towards our ultimate goal, according to Jain philosophy, is through a combined spiritual practice of Right Faith (Samyak-Darshan), Right Knowledge (Samyak-Gnän), and Right Conduct (Samyak-Charitra). The question that is often asked is: how do I perform these spiritual practices? What is the practical way to do that? Where do I begin?
Acharya Tulsi and Acharya Mahapragya understood the issues confronting the modern world. The pressure of the mundane day-to-day chores of maintaining one's materialistic life has pushed spirituality to secondary level. Religion and religious traditions are practiced more as cultural or social event with very little spirituality in it. Acharyaji is not opposed to these traditions as they do form an important fabric that keeps the society together, in fact it is also one element of Jain Lifestyle. However, only spiritual practice will lead to a truly happy, healthy and meaningful life.
Mahaveer showed us a path to realize our true exis
tence. The people making
an honest attempt to
follow that path with the
purpose of purifying one's own soul is a
true Jain.
Acharyaji has defined a framework - nine elements of an organized lifestyle that is based on Jain scriptures and is suitable for all Jains irrespective of the tradition they follow. Once one starts to follow this framework, one's emotions will start becoming purer resulting in the eradication of many negative thoughts, and finally one will develop amity and compassion. As your mind becomes healthy, you will have a positive outlook in your life. The positive outlook will also bring success, happiness, and overall improvement of your health. However, the most important benefit of the nine elements of the Jain lifestyle described below is that is sows the seeds of spirituality, leading one to practice Enlightened Perception or Faith (Samyak-Darshan), Enlightened Knowledge (Samyak-Gnän), and Enlightened Conduct (SamyakCharitra).
Samyak Darshan - Enlightened Perception or Faith: Jainism advocates that one should first try to know, understand, and comprehend the nature of reality, one's
Extending Jain Herite
se in Western Empironne
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Jain Education Interational 2010_03
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