Jain Calander 2016

Author(s): Kishor Bhimji Shah
Publisher: Kishor Bhimji Shah

Page 31

Quotes from: YOGASHASTRA OF HEMCHANDRA
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"All living beings are souls, with consciousness and the breath of life, like me. Just as I welcome happiness and find pain offensive, all beings enjoy happiness and dislike pain. Upon thinking about this, as it applies to all beings, I will not act in a way that would cause such undesired violence, torment, or loss of life to any living being."
ACHARYA HEMCHANDRA
1088 AD - 1173 AD
YOGASHASTRA OF HEMCHANDRA
Acharya Hemchandra was one of the most eminent scholar of his era, a polyglot as well as a polymath. He is not only one of the greatest Svetambara Jain monk of Gujarat, he is one of the greatest monks & literary personalities of India. It is due to the influence of his literary works that the Jain culture still shines brightly in Gujarat today.
The text consists of 1009 verses divided into 12 chapters shedding light on Jain code of conduct as well as a Jain treatise on Yoga.
"Pride is that which makes me blind, because it robs the eye of discrimination. It is also the destroyer of the three goals of human pursuits - Dharma - discharge of duty; Artha - acquirement of wealth; Kama - gratification of desire, as well as of decent behaviour, learning and a good character."
"The darkness of ignorance was blinding my vision. A healing paste has now been applied - the medicine of true Knowledge. Now my inner eyes are open. To the Master who helped me, who removed the layers of ignorance and enabled me to see rightly, I humbly offer my appreciation and gratitude."
Hemchandra highlights ascetic practices for moral upliftment, service to one's parents, meditation, recitation of the Jinas' names & meritorious conduct. It is guide for ascetics as well the layperson on the path of liberation
Hemchandracharya Jayanti on 13 November celebrates his birthday.
"May no one commit evil. May no one suffer. May the entire world be liberated. Such a sentiment is called friendliness."
KISHOR BHIMJI SHAH