Jain Digest 2001 01 Vol 17 No 01

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

Page 13

Bhagwan Mahavir’s Last Sermon (cont.)
as:
considered to have negative Leshyas which will attract bad Karmas 4. Develop a religious habit for self study of scriptures and make ones life miserable. On the other hand, a person who (Swadhyay) on a daily basis for a minimum of one hour. is kind, loving, merciful, and spiritually aware, will have men
5.Search for a self realized teacher or a guide (advanced tal disposition characteristic of Tejoleshaya or Padamaleshaya, or
Mumuxu) for spiritual guidance. Suklalesya all three being considered as positive emotions and therefore attracting good Karmas and leading to a happier and
6.Regular participation in spiritual discourses is absolutely a blissful life.
must for a genuine seeker of self realization. Question: How can one free his soul from Karmas completely
7.A serious study of the scriptures dealing with the metaif one keeps on attracting either good or bad Karmas?
physics of soul and matter is highly recommended. Examples are
Atmasiddhishatra, Tatvarthsutra, Samaysar, and Adhyatmasar. Answer: In chapter 29 of this text, Bhagwan Mahavir provides a practical workbook to attain liberation of soul from all
8.Develop reverence for all life and practice "Live and Let karmas. Bhagwan says that when a disciple destroys his self ignorance and becomes a self-realized person, when the dark- 9.Cultivate self control habits and develop ability for diness of ignorance is destroyed by the divine light of self realiza- vine forgiveness. tion, the cycle of life and death comes to an end as the new
10.Practice of Yoga and Meditation for peace of mind and karmas can not bind the soul any more since the field force is healing of body and soul. Good text to study is Acharya absent. Field force to attract new karmas is present as long as one Haribhadra's Yogdrastisamuchaya. is ignorant of his self. A self realized person does not have the karma binding field force. Instead, a divine light (Samyakdarshan)
A careful study of Bhagwan Mahavir's teachings condensed in
Utradhyayan Sutra and other Agam texts makes us feel really is illuminted to destroy all the old karmas and attain complete
appreciate how scientific the principles are to attain spiritual liberation or Moxa.
awareness. It is said by Shrimad Rajchandra and Anandghanji Question: How can I put this science of healing my spirit and that no other religion or philosophy in the world comes close being self aware in practice in the 21" century? Does it really to Jain metaphysics of soul and matter (Dravyanuyog) in terms of work?0
its depth and completeness. Many scientific principles of Answer: Yes, it does work. Bhagwan Mahavir guarantees us that Bhagwan Mahavir postulated 2600 years ago have been since any one who is serious to attain self realization and to become proven by modern science such as life in vegetables and microorfree from the bondage of karma can attain it in modern times ganisms in water etc. provided he or she follows Bhagwan's ten commandments.
Today as we enter the 21" century, the world is filled with pain Question: What are Bhagwan Mahavir's Ten Commandments? and misery of crime and violence, dogmas and sects, stabbing Answer: Chapter 29 of Utradhyayan Sutra lists 73 steps or tools
and killing in the name of political. Religious, and domestic disfor self realization. The ten most important commandments or
putes, power struggle and greed, and lack of trust and respect steps are listed here for daily practice no matter where we live:
for each other. We need to apply Bhagwan Mahavir's teachings
of non violence, reverence for life, and self control if we want to 1. One must have very strong and genuine desire and a
find true happiness and peace. The gateway to Heaven starts burning passion for attaining self realization and liberation of
liberation of with Bhagwan Mahavir's teachings of forgiveness and equanim
with soul as attained by Bhagwan Mahavir.
ity towards all living beings. Let us make a commitment to 2. Our biggest enemy is our ego. In chapter one, Bhagwan become a true disciple of Bhagwan Mahavir in the 21st century says that a person without humility and humbleness can not to find spiritual bliss and ever lasting happiness. Let us do a enter into the path of spirituality. Most of our actions are random act of kindness every day. Let us be more kind to fellow based on satisfying our ego whether it is a charity we do or a Puja men than proving to be right. Let us practice kindness, compaswe may sponsor. Bhagwan Mahavir praised Gautam Swami for sion, and tolerance for others and live every day using the pricehis humility and Vinay when he was asked to seek forgiveness less teachings of this divine sermon of Bhagwan Mahavir. This is from Anand Shravak and did so without any hesitation; a great the best tribute we can offer to Bhagavan Mahavir to commemoact to follow for all of us indeed!
rate the 2600th Janma-Kalyank of our Bhagwan. Vande Viram. 3.One must develop unshakable faith in Bhagwan Mahavir's teachings and doctrines of nine elements and six steps of soul
JAIN DIGEST. SPRING 2001/11
Jain Education Interational 2010_02