Jain Journal 2000 07

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

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JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXXV, No. 1 July 2000
made in modern days which are extremely useful. This does not mean that all modern technological developments are to be discredited. Recalling the established tradition is intended only to point out how people were self-reliant. Getting up early, each one in the family carried out his duties cheerfully, which kept them physically fit and mentally alert. Meditation results in purity of mind. Scientists have declared that meditation diminished and even removed man's anger, pride, greed, mental disturbances and stress. Meditation was thus effective said Acharya Rajyesh Surishwarji in his lecture here.
Meditation has been hailed as a mysterious ladder which connects earth and heaven, error and truth, darkness and light, pain and bliss and, restlessness and abiding peace. It involves setting aside a regular time and place for the specific purpose of discovering wisdom that lies within. It unleashes the immense potential of every person. Proper exercise, proper breathing, relaxation, diet and positive thinking are the requisite attendants of meditation. Food directly affects the efficiency with which the brain functions. Meditation has been defined as the science of supplying the mind with the favourable environment.
Extracts from The Hindu, Chennai, July 24, 1997. Understanding of karma is essential
Hidden within a human being are both good and evil qualities. A riddle was posed in a scriptural text as when does a man conduct himself good, while he is awake or while sleeping. The reply was that in some cases, people will behave well when active and in an wakeful state. They will take up propagation of religion, serve society and reform people. All their attention will be centred around spiritual progress. On the other hand, some will be good only when they are asleep meaning thereby that at least during that interrugnam, they will refrain from harmful work and from indulging in anti-God activities.
This was one of the innumerable questions (nearly 36,000) raised by saints, laymen and women in the "Bhagavati Sutra", the fifth among the 11 Jain Agama texts. The Bhagavati Sutra contains words which have been attributed to Bhagavan Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara of the Jains and preserved by a line of spiritual teachers and monks starting with the illustrious Sudharma Swami, who is accredited with its authorship. This sutra is a colossal work, bigger in size than all the remaining Jaina Agamas taken together. The standpoint of Jainism as presented in the Bhagavati Sutra is in no way different from that in other Agamas.