Jain Journal 2000 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 32

144
JAIN JOURNAL : Vol-XXXIV, No. 3 January 2000 soul has realised itself, it doesn't need any external aids of devotion. But then, to reach such a stage, one needs a medium !
The revered Panyās Pravar Jain Muni (Saint) Shri Bhadrankar Vijayji aptly remarked;
"In the absence of an aid, the devotion of a devotee is like the construction of a building without a 'plan'. A plan (Blueprint) is very much necessary before one undertakes construction of a building. By consulting the plan at every stage, the workers are able to complete the construction of the building. They have to keep the plan all the time in front of them till the construction is over. Similarly, a devotee also has to have a certain medium which will enable him/her to concentrate and ultimately attain the Supreme Bliss of oneness with the Supreme Spirit. Once this stage is attained, he/she does not anymore have the need for the medium, just as a contractor does not have the need for the plan once the building is constructed and completed fully."
Some opponents of idol worship say that the idols are after all stones and what is the difference between idols and ordinary stones? This is a sheer foolish argument. For example, is there not a difference between a plain unwritten paper and a paper on which a picture is drawn or say a currency note ? Anybody can trample upon a plain paper under his/her feet, but will one do so on a paper on which the picture of someone he/she revers, is drawn or on a currency note ? A money cheque is of no value, without the account-holder's signature, once it is signed its value is immeasurable. Similar is the difference between a plain stone and an idol. Once the idol is consecrated it becomes an object of worship & reverence just as a cheque becomes valuable after a signature ! (Conditionally if there is a bank balance). If simply by writing on a piece of paper its value increases drastically then why should not the importance of a stone should increase after an idol is made out of it ?
The idol worship baiters see the idols as mere stones. I wrote once to a leader of a sect who does not believe in idol worship, that he should not see the idols as stones but should respect the divine personalities that these idols represent. If we accept the idol of the Lord it may sound wrong but then how is it wrong to accept the Lord's idol as an idol of the Lord ? The idol worshipper also while praying in front of the idols experience the presence of the Almighty through the medium. Religion is based on faith. By praying to the idol of the Lord with this faith in mind that we are praying to the Lord himself will necessarily be fruitful.