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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COMMANDMENTS OF LORD MAHAVIRA
FORGIVENESS - The sense of forgiveness destroys the agony of anger, hatred and enmity, which damages the intellect and decays the soul. The virtue of forgiveness helps in the building of a strong soul and consistent behavior.
MODESTY AND HUMBLENESS - This is an essential part of the conduct which destroys the evils of self-esteem and pride. This creates kindness and generates a helping attitude towards others.
SIMPLICITY - The purpose of life should be to live a simple life free from the complexities of cleverness, falsehood, lust, desire, injustice and over consumption.
4.
TRUTHFULNESS - The behavior which protects the welfare of everyone is defined as the truth. Truth without bitterness saves one from various evils and makes living pleasant.
5.
PURITY - Our objective should be to attain purity, cleanliness and brightness of thoughts, words and deeds. Acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity are the purifiers of the soul.
6. SELF-CONTROL - The control of the instinct by having complete command over the senses has been
stated to be the most essential in fulfillment of the life above the material and animal behavior and to divert the energy and thinking towards achievement of intimate bliss and joy.
FORTITUDE - The sacrifice of material attractions, control over lust and physical desires, endurance, freedom from attachment and to develop the fortitude to bear hardships consequent to sacrifice are the essential virtues in the accomplishment of an eternal and imperishable soul.
SACRIFICE - To regain mental and spiritual freedom, it is necessary to abandon the desires of acquisition of worldly and material possession and aggrandizement.
KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM & JUDGEMENT - By discovering the supreme self and adopting the behavior of knowledge and steady wisdom, one can attain the happiness of the soul rather than finite pleasures. It is only through the behavior of right knowledge and judgement can one aspire salvation.
10. ASCETICISM - The conductof over-consumption, comforts and physical pleasures imprison a person
within the walls of sensual life and handicaps him to adopt a behavior conducive to the happiness of the soul.