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Celebrating Jain Society of Houston Pratishtha Mahotsav 1995
PRINCIPLES OF JAINISM By Vimal Chheda (1st Place Essay 13-15 Yrs.)
What is Jainism? Jainism is nature in the purest and truest form. Jainism is as old as nature, which has neither beginning nor any end. The purpose of Jainism is the purpose of nature which is to work for the welfare of one and all, to rise from the trap of ignorance and inaction to the spiritual climax of infinite bliss and perfect knowledge, i.e. absolute freedom.
"The energy of intelligence not through mind alone, nor through heart alone but through the whole of your totality is the highest wisdom." says Jainism. You should distinctly distinguish between what you are and what you are not. Jainism starts with the Holy curiosity to know the marvelous structure of reality and ends in the flawless perfection which is the combination of joy, knowledge, and energy.
Jainism is a religion based on vast, eternal principles on which this huge system runs without any mistake or even a single momentary halt. The principles of modern science are true and temporary in the particular context of space and time only, but principles of Jainism are true for all time, for all space, for everybody, and everything. Jainism throws light on the vast structure of the universe. Its shape, size, origin, purpose, and mechanism deals in perfect details with six reals out of which the universe is made. Everything that happens in the universe is according to the fixed pattern of eternal laws which are unshakable and infallible.
The Fundamentals of Jain Philosophy are that the whole universe is self-created, self-ruled, selfregulated, and self-administered, according to powerful and eternal vast laws. Every possible subject is so well explained, that one would realize that if the Jain Doctrines are well understood and practiced, it is certain that the world will enjoy lasting peace and prosperity instead of the present day world of hatred and violence.
Practically all religions have individuals as the Supreme God. Jain religion believes that all worldly souls possess intrinsic characteristics (principle qualities), the 4 originals-Infinite Knowledge, Infinite Cognizance, Infinite Bliss, Infinite Power, but worldly souls are obscured by the veil of Karma and when liberated they can reach the highest state.
Jainism does not belong to any particular sector fixed dogmas. Jainism does not say to give some particular class freedom, while other should remain in bondage; it is a perfect form of democracy. It emphasizes equality of opportunities to achieve perfect freedom and spiritual perfection, be it a highborn or any backward class member, or even the lowest form of life. Each soul has the potential of reaching the highest state. It believes that every soul has immense power, which can be released like nuclear energy.
There are no Commandments; Omniscient Spiritual Teachers (Arhats) show the right path traveled by them, and right conduct practiced by them in their journey to salvation. Their guidance, advice, and teachings are considered and accepted as Commands. The spiritual leaders and mentors never issue Commands. Commands are sacred and any violation results in a sin.
Jainism believes there are two kinds of energies: one is the energy of mechanism and the other is the energy of intelligence. In technical term they are called matter and life (Jada and Chetana). The energies of gravitation, magnetism, and electricity are believed to be three scientific forces which sustain the universe. But the rare forces of silence and solitude, of surrender and prayer, of love and sympathy, of dedication and determination, these rare forces, etc., are a demonstration of the energies of intelligence. It is a rule in nature that these are rare forces of Yoga - the activities of mind, speech, and body are more powerful than the gross forces of material science.
For spiritual advancement, one has to know three points: (1) Heya: worth discarding, (2) Jneya : worth knowing, and (3) Upadeya: worth achieving. These are explained in great detail in the Jain Sculptures. To understand and appreciate from a religious view point, one has to acquire three jewels :
Samyak - Jnana, Darshana, and Charitra which leads to the path of Moksha (i.e. Right / True Knowledge, Right / True Faith, and Right / True Conduct).
The theory of Syadvada is the remarkable feature of the Jain Philosophy. It is an important subject because the doctrine is found only in the Jain Philosophy
"He who does a good deed should be silent, he who has received one should shout it from the rooftop"
(Author Unknown)
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