Jain Center Los Angeles CA 1988 07 Jain Bhavan Inauguration

Author(s): Jain Center So CA Los Angeles
Publisher: USA Jain Center Southern California

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JAINISM
Suketu M. Khandhar
Jainism is an age-old eternal religion. Time and again, our TEERTHANKARS are born and revitalize it. In this time period, there have been 24 TEERTHANKARS. The first was Bhagwaan Rishabhadev and the last was Mahaveer Swami.
Jainism is a scientific religion. It is also known as VEETARAG VIGNAAN (the science of getting rid of all attachment and aversion). The word Jain means follower of JIN, our spiritual guide or TEERTHANKAR like Mahaveer Swami, who has conquered internal enemies like greed, violence, possessiveness, desires, anger, etc. Jainism believes that all souls are equal and inherently pure. However, the worldly souls are covered with ignorance, and delusion on account of their association with particles of matter known as karma.
Jainism is based on three main principles. The first and highest principle is nonviolence which means respect and reverence for all forms of life including humans, animals, insects and plants. Injury can be done by thought, words or deeds, knowingly or unknowingly. Mahatma Gandhi was a strong believer in nonviolence. The second principle is selfcontrol which means a proper regulation of action, speech and thoughts. The third and last principle is penance which consists of fasting, meditation and study.
Our last TEERTHANKAR, Mahaveer Swami gave us 5 vows (VRATs) based on the above three prin
ciples. The first vow is AHIMSA which means not to cause injury to any living being. The second is SATYA which means speaking truth. The third is ASTEYA which means refraining from theft. The fourth is BRAHMACHARYA which entails refraining from sexual activities. The fifth and last is APARIGRAH which entails limiting one's possessions.
Every year, Jains celebrate PARYUSHAN (which is the celebration of spiritual awareness), for 8 to 10 days, during which all five VRATs and penance (TAPA) are practiced for self-control and soulsearching. These are the days of special observance, spiritual uplift, and forgiveness. The day of SAMVATSARI during PARYUSHAN is the most important day of all when we pray for our spiritual
awareness.
According to Jainism, all religious activities, including those of PARYUSHAN, should be performed with humility and in the true spirit of equality of all members of the community.
This presentation by Suketu, the 13 year old son of Mahendra and Vina Khandhar of Cypress, CA, won first prize at the Celebration of PARYUSHAN of Jain Center of Southern California, 1985.
Courtesy: Jain Study Circular, Boston, MA.
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