Jain Digest 2015 06

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

Page 13

JAIN DIGEST
Identity and Role of Shravak in Jin-Shasan
Samani Shukla Pragya Adjunct Professor, FIU
Four pillars of Jain palace
Jainism abides by the path propounded by Tirthankars (The Omniscient), the architects of the fourfold congregation comprising Sadhu, Sadhvi, Shravak, and Shravika. In the present era, we follow the teachings of Tirthankar Bhagwan Mahavir.
Origin of Shravak Dharma
During the period of his Sadhana, Bhagwan
Sadhu
Sadhvi Mahavir endured innumerable hardships that
Shravak
Shravika placed his life in peril. One night a demon named Shulpani, disguised as countless wild animals, persecuted Mahavir. However, Shulpani failed in his malicious attempts and could not perturb Mahavir from his deep meditation. Mahavir's equanimity and his power of forgiveness were victorious over the evil rage of the demon.
During Shulpani's attacks, Bhagwan Mahavir succumbed to a short slumber and had ten dreams. A dream reader Utpal was able to explain the meanings of nine of the dreams but could not describe what the fourth dream - two garlands - meant. To quench his curiosity, Mahavir explained that he will propound two categories of religion -
Religion for Sadhu Sadhvi (Ascetics) - Angaar Dharma, and Religion for Shravak/Shravika (Householders) - Aagaar Dharma.
He elucidated that the amalgamation of True Faith, True Knowledge, and True Conduct is the path to liberation. Individually incomplete, collectively these three lead to liberation. For the nourishment of this trinity he propounded the two categories of religion mentioned above. A code of conduct was set for both. These are known as Mahavrat (great vows) for ascetics and Anuvrat (small vows) for householders. The rules prescribed for householders are more relaxed than those prescribed for ascetics.
Bhagwan conveyed that those who renounce the material world with all its bondages of relationships, and adopt monkhood or nun hood, while observing the five Mahavrat or great vows, and practicing equanimity and detachment, are capable of reaching the ultimate goal - liberation. This rigorous path is called Angaar Dharma. However, not everyone is strong enough to be able to renounce the world and practice asceticism. So a question might arise - Isn't liberation possible for a householder?
131 MAY-JUN 2015