JAINA Convention 2009 07 Los Angeles

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

Page 62

15th Biennial JAINA Convention 2009
UNIVERSAL MANTRAS FOR ECOLOGY
Vinod Kapashi, PhD vinod@kapashi.wanadoo.co.uk
Dr. Vinod Kapashi is President of Mahavir Foundation, UK. He earned a PhD in Jain sacred hymns (navsmarana). Dr. Kapashi has lectured in the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago, Cape Town and Barcelona. He has taught Jainism for over 15 years and takes keen interest in interfaith activities. He is the past President of Harrow Interfaith Council, UK.
There are many beautiful shlokas (verses) and mantras in our scriptures. Ancient sages recited these mantras to spread the message of non-violence, goodwill, harmony and brotherhood. Systematic recitations of mantras spread divine vibrations and these vibrations help us in many ways. Mantras were chanted to invoke the hidden powers within us and to pray to Tirthankars or Sashan-devtas for our wellbeing. We can find hundreds or perhaps thousands of mantras in our ancient literature. Hindu scriptures, especially most Upanishads, also have beautiful Shanti-mantras (mantras for peace).
Our Acharyas, hundreds of years ago recited verses and mantras to spread vibrations of peace and harmony. They composed the mantras not just to please the deities but they advised and guided people on how to achieve real and lasting peace in the universe. One cannot attain such peace without also thinking about peace in the environment which surrounds us. Our philosophy is not the philosophy of selfish motives and self-centred gains. Our ideology includes the whole environment, in fact, the whole universe, while chanting mantras. The great Acharyas knew very well that when one obtains a blissful state, everything around him is in perfect balance. If one examines the Shanti-mantras sung by those sages, he or she will be convinced that there is more than just a superficial singing in those mantras.
Mankind has polluted the environment today. We have polluted air, water and many natural resources of our Mother Earth. We have done lot of damage to the ecological balance by our greedy life-styles. We have neglected the value of pure air and pure water. We have caused imbalance by killing not just the rain forests but also many species which existed in the sea and on land.
Jains have placed great importance on trees and animals while thinking about worship practices and while describing the attributes of the Tirthankars. All Tirthankars attained Keval Gnan under a particular tree. Thus, there are different trees which are sacred to Jains. Most Tirthankars have symbols of different
Ecology - The Jain Way
animals. Quite a few animals have been named this way. This shows respect for trees and animals.
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The Brihat Shanti Stotra, one of the most important stotra in Jain literature narrates the following lines:
'Shri Shraman sanghasya shantirbhavatu Shri janapadanam shantirbhavtu...'
And
'Shri paurjanasya shantirbhavtu Shri brahmalokasya shantirbhavtu...'
This shows that those who recite the stotra, recite it for the welfare and peace of everyone in the universe
and not just for himself or herself. In fact, one thinks and prays for the entire universe.
A Jain, while doing pratikraman asks forgiveness from the tiniest living creatures and describes how he or she might have hurt any living beings.
'Abhihaya, vattiya, lesiya, sanghaiya, sanghttiya, pariyaviya, kilamiya, uddaviya, thanao thanam sankamiya, jiviao vavroviya... tassa michchhami dukkadam.'
'I might have kicked them (living beings), rolled them, covered them, assembled them, touched them harshly, separated them from their own kinds or killed them... May my faults be destroyed (forgiven)...in connection of all these things.'
The above shows concern for the smallest creatures
on earth. This is the philosophy of compassion and peaceful co-existence. We have forgotten the ideal of 'Parasparopgraho jivanam.' We all are interdependent. This interdependency includes life in the air, water and even in fire. We are not absolute masters and we have not been given the license to exploit resources and other creatures. We are here to protect and preserve, to care and share.
We cannot achieve peace unless we achieve harmony with nature and everything which surrounds us. There is a beautiful Hindu mantra which narrates this philosophy.
'Om dhyauh shaantih; Antariksham shaantih Prithivee shaantih; Aapah shaantih Oshadhayah shaantih; Vanaspatayah shaantih Vishvedevaah shaantih; Brahma shaantih Sarvam shaantih Shaantireva shaantih Saamaa shaantiredhih
Om shaantih, shaantih, shaantih!'
(O Lord!), May peace radiate there in the whole sky and in the vast space above. May peace prevail all over this earth, in water and in all herbs, trees and plants. May peace flow over the whole universe. May peace be in the Brahman. May there be peace everywhere and at all times. Om peace, peace, peace.'