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JAIN DIGEST .. May 2011
understand the reality of self." Acharyaji stayed in living was to stay within the bounds of reality and moun until he was able to realize his self-Who I not delusion. am? - That name-less self.
For people living in foreign countries, he laid As the discussion progressed from maun to to his emphasis on the importance of imparting right decision to come out of the maun state, Acharyaji sanskar, to the younger generation. A simple tensaid:
minute prayer prior to the meal could go a long નિશ્ચચટ્ટષ્ટિ હૃદયે ઘરીજી
way. A lively discussion of human value systems
could also have a profound impact on the young જે પાળે વ્યવહાર.
minds. However, his most pertinent observation
was that children always observed their parents Only after one realizes the power of ego-less self,
and unless they lived a life of Dharma (not just in one can give the message of truth to the outside
the traditional sense but in sense of basic integrity world.
and human values), all later efforts could go "My Parmatama's message was to first realize the waste. power of the ego-less self. With that realization
At the end of the interview, Acharya Maharaj came a unique joy (anand). The second part of the
Yashovijay Suriji explained the Jain teaching in message was to guide others to realize the same
few words: "Mere observation does not result in anand. A book of knowledge only provides the
karmas; being in a state of equanimity is outline, but the joy of one's soul can inspire
meditation (which is elimination of karmas), a another soul to the same joyful state." - Acharyaji.
desire to do something results in karmas. To Coming to the topic of Sadhutva, Acharyaji understand the finer implications of the shastras explained how to look within and realize the
one has to look within to understand the true immense anand of the soul to be able to motivate nature of self. others to feel the same anand was the essence of Sadhutva, everything else was just a procedure or tradition. Dharma was nothing but learning and practicing the true art of living. Deep introspection brought one to reality of self (soul) and the art of
Acharya Vijay Nandighosha Suri
Acharya Nandighoshavijayji is a revered monk who is exploring science and studying its compatibility to the Jain scriptures. He is very certain that it is essential to represent the scientific principles that lay hidden in our Jain scriptures. He received his vows of monkhood almost 37 years ago under Gacchadhipati Acharya Shri Suryodayasuriji. He was born as Nirmal Kumar Nagindas Shah and was a keen student of math and science. After almost 8 years of monkhood and having mastered Sanskrit and Prakrit, he was able to study
the Jain scriptures in depth. This study along with his keen interest in science enabled him to relate to the scientific thoughts in the Jain scriptures with modern day science. In addition to the routine chores of a Jain Monk his celestial mind is also occupied with pure physics, Einstein's theories, quantum leap etc. He has made a deep study of various profound topics in mathematics and physics along with the Jain Agams vis-à-vis modern theories. He got the book "Jainism through Science" published in English and Gujarati.
Acharya Vijay Nandighosha Suri
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