Jain Digest 2007 04

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

Page 47

Jain Digest. Summer 2007
NEW & EVENTS
Pujyashri Chitrabhanuji's visit to London Pujyashri observed that many people are happy sometimes
and unhappy most of the time. People who are millionaires We were very privileged to receive Pujyashri Chitrabhanuji
wish to be billionaires and billionaires, trillionaires. in London in March 2007. At the age of 85, Pujyashri undertook a week long programme of events at various
We are encouraged to start dancing in celebration of our locations across London and the surrounding areas.
lives. We have our senses. Helen Keller who could neither
see nor speak was still happy: One day she had been sitting, With conviction and enthusiasm, Pujyashri spread his
feeling very down and alone due to her blindness. She then message of universal compassion for all souls. Pujyashri
breathed, got up and thought "Still I am one". When in
1 spread the message of the soul being eternal and divinity touch with life, she thought, I am one, I can't do everything being within. Some of Pujyashri's words of wisdom are her can do something We should think about whar we summarized below:
have and what we can do, not what we don't have. "Who am I?” is a question that has existed since time As babies in a crib, we smiled - it is in our true nature to immemorial. Pujyashri shared the message that we are all smile. When we recognize our true nature is that of soul, souls on a quest.
we can feel contentment within ourselves. We should not Our body is a vehicle to reach our destination but we
complain about life, rather we should take self responsibility often think of our body. Our bodies serve to help us on
and if we want to change, we can - no-one can stop us. We our spiritual journey and have a temporary existence as
cach have capacity to make ourselves what we are and what
we want to be. Recognizing and accepting that we have the compared to our soul which is eternal.
power to make decisions and discovering the soul can help We often say ‘mine'.
us to be successful in careers, business and relationships. "Mine' is a good word but the understanding is incorrect We have the freedom of choice to be free from being a slave - We can understand that our body is mine or that I am the to our desires. owner of body but not that I am my body.
We should cultivate amity, appreciation, compassion and Pujyashri explained how by paying attention to labels, caste, equanimity. nationality etc, we have forgotten our real personality i.e. The past is history, the present is a gift and the future a that of the soul. As human beings, the kingdom of wisdom dream - we are alive and can celebrate this today and use is within us. We are cach encouraged to take time to know valuable time well. and discover that divinity is within thy self.
The key message is simple - that divinity is within and we Once in touch with the true nature of the soul, one can should remember the true nature of ourselves. We are each be content in the company of one's self, without the need souls on a journey. We should love all people, animals and for radios, televisions and cell-phones. Pujyashri gave an the universe. example of a man who was once sitting in Central Park, New York, enjoying himself, thinking I am I, I am consciousness. A priest who wanted to convert people approached him thinking he was alone. The man smiled- he said he was in company but the priest made him alone. The beauty of our true nature of soul is that we can find company within and it is in our nature to be comfortable with our soul. We should love everyone as we would ourselves, love all people, animals and the universe. Illustrating love for animals, Pujyashri mentioned one occasion when there was a Gala party in London at which Dr. George Bernard Shaw attended as guest of honor. George Bernard Shaw would not start the party. When asked to start the party as guest of honor, he explained that his stomach was not a graveyard for the dead. He explained "animals are my friends, I love life, I don't eat my friends, do you?"
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