Book Title: JAINA Convention 2007 07 Edison NJ
Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

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Page 43
________________ RELIGIOUS UNDERSTANDING I am thinking of the name of your organization - Temple of Understanding - and feeling that all the world's problems are coming from misunderstanding, from confusion and narrow-mindedness. There are no differences between religions, although philosophically we can discuss many. For example, some people believe that God is Supreme Being separate from us. They have accepted the king system. God is king and we are his subjects, and by his grace we can attain anything. Others believe in a kind of 'democratic system where God is not alone - every soul is God. There is only karma covering this divinity or perfection. Remove it and you are God. Acharya Sushil Muni Ji (Guruji) His Holiness Acharya Sushil There is need for understanding. Lord Mahavir taught that truth has many Kumarji Maharaj was an exponent angles. If we want to know reality, then we must accept the totality of truth. of Ahimsa and well respected for We have to accept all dimensions of the truth - they are all parts of the truth. We have to accept all dimensions of the his peacemaking efforts. He We can't describe total truth in one word. Actually, we can't describe truth. founded International Mahavir Jain mission, an NGO with UN It can only be indicated a little bit. and Siddhachalam, Jain Tirth. He also founded the teaching system We must be careful when we are judging people and ideas. No one is Arhum Yoga' the science of sound bad, no one is good. No one is only one thing. For example, you can say vibration according to the ancient you are a father, but you are also a son, a brother, a husband, a friend, an Arihant tradition. A spiritual enemy also. There are so many angles. guide to JAINA and Jain centers in North America, he left his physical The same is true in accepting all the angles and dimensions of ideas. This body in 1994. This article is from is Anekant. We must not think that one system of belief is the end of truth. his talk at the Temple of Truth has so many angles. Understanding shows us the way out of narrowUnderstanding in New York City mindedness and separatism. And we have to understand perfectly. on September 29, 1986. When we are thinking "I am Jain" or "I am Buddhist" - this is the start of problems. We are not Jain, we are not Buddhist, we are nor Christian. We are human. The enlightened ones came on this earth and gave us the light of their beautiful ideas. We can benefit from the light of all the great masters and the religions that followed in their traditions. Accept this kind of understanding clearly, perfectly and with respect. If anyone is speaking against us, then there is some truth there. We should not decide rigidly that someone is our enemy just because we don't share same ideas. When I was in Punjab this year, I met with terrorists several times. We are following Nonviolence, and they are following violence. Still, I decided that we must begin to grow nearer to them in order to discuss and understand all points of controversy. A very good result came from these talks, and I will continue this work when I return to India in December. Wherever you go, don't think against others. Respect all opposing ideas. Don't think that only supporting people and ideas are perfect for you. Be humble and open-minded. Be understanding and you will also gain a deeper understanding of yourself. <> 41 PEACE THROUGH DIALOGUE 14 Biennial ) AINA convention 2007 Jain Education Interational For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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