Jain Digest 2003 09 Vol 22 No 3

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

Page 31

Jainism -- The Art Of Living"
By Ram Gopal Jain
Jainism is the science of nature. Modern science has studied After attaining Samyak Darshan, householder can switch on laws of nature for its material part but Jainism has studied living to life style of monks and nuns for the practice of meditation. A (soul) part of nature also.
monk's and nun's life demands renunciation of worldly When a child takes birth in human life it brings with the soul involvements that is family life, business life, political life or any Karmic particles accumulated in his/her previous lives since soul
sort of commercial occupation. He or she could glean a lot from never dies but it goes from one body to other after death. The
studies of the literature of Jainism or concentrate on Meditation. entering of soul in body is called birth and exit of soul from the
With this monks and nuns will know the truth of natural laws. body is called death. This is a natural process and there is no This is in brief about Jainism that can be called "The art of Creator of this Universe.
living for house holder's and saint's life style. When we would Nature of soul in its present form of human life is in polluted understand this art of living there would be no stress, tension, with the impurities of Karmic particles (smallest atoms in the hypertension ete in our lives. We will have complete peace of form of karmic dust) which are generated from the activity of mind. Hence, to know Jainism is to understand the "ART OF mind, speech and body and also deeds and thoughts negative and
LIVING” positive. Before shedding, these karmic particles give results in the present lives. They are also the cause of creating anger, pride, REGIONAL NEWS: greed etc. In the present form in human life soul knows things of nature through five senses and mind.
ALLENTOWN, PA From the ordinary point of view, the soul in the body is alive with four pranas i.e. the five senses, energy (blood) in the body,
The Allentown, PA Jain Sangh attained two new milestones this
year during the celebrations of Parushana Mahaparva. Mrs. ayu karma (age) and vital respiration. But from the realistic point
Nipunaben P. Shah successfully completed the Masxaman or 30 days of view soul is alive due to its chetna shakti or conscioiusness
of non stop fasting with great sprits and faith. During the entire which is the main property of soul and can not be separated from
30 days she was able to come to the Jain temple and do her its core being.
worship. Other five members of the group did the Athhai followed Now let us discuss about the art of living according to by several persons doing the Attham (3 day fast). Jainism. We should have the right concept (right faith) which is Second milestone was achieved by the invited guest speaker, called Samyag Darshan in Jainism . We should understand that Dr. Pravinbhai L. Shah, a well known Jain scholar from Reading, PA there is no creator of this Universe that we call GOD. This who conducted eight days of Swadhyays using the modern Universe is existing and changing instantly according to its law communication techniques to inspire deep faith in every one on of cause and effect. No body is governing these laws of nature, Jain philosophy. Pravin bhai explained the basic concepts of nine they are automatic. We should also consider ourselves as part of elements (Nav Tatva) from the most popular text Tatvarth Sutra in nature and should remain as viewer about the happenings in our a very scientific way to make it appealing and attractive to every lives. We should not have EGO about the success in our lives one. Pravin bhai provided powerful discourses and kept more than and we should not have depression about negative incidents in 100 people keenly interested throughout the eight days of Parushana. our lives. We should treat them as cause and effect of karmic
Pravinbhai also explained the meaning of each Sutra chanted in particles accumulated through our past lives. We should always
Pratikraman, and the spiritual and health benefits of twelve types remember that every thing this human being posess in its
of Tapas. Paranas were done on the last day with a group Vargodo materialistic form is to be left behind after exit (death) of soul
and Bahkti-sangit. The Sanvatsari Pratikraman was performed by from this human body. There are two kinds of life styles in the
more than 150 people in the beautiful temple of Lord Parsvanathji. worldly society. They are the householder's and the saint's life.
BAKERSFIELD, CA The householder should know what is soul and what is body, what is birth and death, what are the properties of soul and what
The Jain study group of Bakersfield is made up of about 15 Jain are the properties of non-living matter. One should know about
families. The group meets every month for swadhyay. Children's classes karmic particles in the light of cause and effect theory, how one
are also held on the same day. This year, 3 adults, Hashmukhbhai can shed karmic particles, which are accumulated with the soul
Shah, Dipakbhai Patel and Sanjaybhai Shah did "aathai' one adult through eternity. By practice through meditation, the time will
Rajubhai Doshi fasted for a total of 6 upwas and one 13 year old, come when householders will attain Samyak Darshan or right Ruchi Shah fasted for one day. A potluck dinner will be held to faith, which is the base for attaining MOKSHA (Salvation).
honour the upwasees.
JAIN DIGEST-Fall 2003 / 29
Jain Education Intemational