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JAINISM AND GRATITUDE Since Jainism firmly believes in the doctrine of karma, the prayers are deep expression of gratitude, appreciation and adoration of the virtues possessed by the liberated souls or Arihants and the expression of ardent desire to achieve these virtues in one's own actual life. The Namokar Mantra and Jain scriptures have actually enumerated the virtues of different categories of souls such as Arihanta, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya and Sadhu. I believe and have learnt that the practice of Jainism is living in gratitude moment to moment. We study the path shown by those who have achieved liberation with utmost respect and sincerity, because it is the proven path, which they have actually taken during their lives and have obtained the results. We feel very thankful to these great souls for providing us such useful guidance. Therefore, in prayer we express our gratitude, extol and enumerate their virtues and wish that such virtues might also develop in our life. Such prayers constantly reminds us what made them great and in turn Gratitude expressed from help us to develop such virtues in us. In Jain philosophy, this is the process of the heart and sincerity is reverence and celebration of life.
yet to break a
relationship, whether it is Like dharma dhyana which takes our mind away from artta (pain) and raudra (cruel and harsh) dhyana, which cause the accumulation of the
the
at
at work or home. Focus karmas, and are the degrading forces to the self. Having an attitude of on gratitude helps to glue gratitude keeps focused on the goodness of life and living and our potentials and cement the to enrich and enhance life moment to moment and constitutes the best type of Satsanga, which leads us to right path to realize the Truth.
relationship Leading to
Love and intimacy. In WAYS TO CULTIVATE GRATITUDE
this day and age where
violence is so prevalent, • Write thank you notes regularly
any act which stimulates
Love and compassion is Keep a gratitude journal by writing out any number of gratitude's I feel for all the things in your life including the rising sun, the beauty
worth over and above the of nature, various expressions in the form of words and actions that
violence exhibited. we encounter by all that we cross paths with in our life.
Gratitude circle is creating a space for sharing gratitude with the members of the group present usually friends and family. When we visit with our friends, at the end of our stay we sit together in a circle and take turns to share of at least one thing that each member of the group said or did that made life wonderful for us. And also sharing one thing about ourselves that we feel grateful for. <>
"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
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14th Biennial JAINA Convention 2007
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PEACE THROUGH DIALOGUE
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