________________
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Pujyashri Chitrabhanuji answers the questions of today
Is Jainism a religion or a science?
Jainism is a scientific religion of loving compassion and nonviolence. It is a way of living and thinking in tune with nature. In Sanskrit we call it Jain Dharma. We designate it religion because we do not have an equivalent English word for Dharma. Dharma means nature, nature of the Self. The nature of the Self is consciousness, love, amity, peace, appreciation, understanding, etc. The practice of Jain Dharma is being in tune with these qualities; through this practice one becomes loving, peaceful, friendly, appreciative, understanding and liberated even in daily living.
Jain Dharma is neither serious nor funny. It is a balanced life -sambhav. In sambhav we perceive our potentiality. We realise our freedom of choice. Accepting our life as it is, we make the best of our life. 'Make it or break it' is our choice.
Fun often entices people by offering pleasures and flitting rewards. In pleasure of excitement people lose the awareness of its consequences and get into a mess in the end. Fun can be replaced by pleasant living, loving relations and innocent joy.
Is there a God or a Bible as in Christianity?
In Jain Dharma there are books of Agamas. They are replete with the wisdom and insight of life and its purpose. Among them are Acharanga, Dasvaikalik, Uttaradhyan, Samay-sara, Kalpasutra. All are commonly known. Jains believe in the Peaceful Liberator - Jina. God is an English word. Jains believe in Jina - God not as a Creator but as an Illuminator of the Truth. God is like the sun that shines the light on the
Why is Jainism so serious? Is there no fun or joy path to peace and liberation. It is up to each of us whether we in the religion?
open our eyes and use the light or we close our eyes and stumble down into a pit. The murtis of the Tirthankaras remind us of the inherent power of our Self and of the freedom of choices. In Sanskrit there are many names for God: Jina, Arihanta, Paramatam, Tirthankara.
22
Hinduism believes in Vedas and God as a Creator. Jains believe in Self, the teachings of the Tirthankaras, their own experience, and not blindly in books only.
In reality, Jain Dharma is up-to-date and its guidance helps to direct a healthy, balanced life. Instead of eating late at
What is the difference between Jainism and night, it is better to have supper before sunset for health
Hinduism?
reasons. Late eating causes poor digestion and the food may create nightmares, illusions and may disturb the sleep. In addition, you might have noticed that in the absence of the ultraviolet rays of the sun, insects are attracted by the smell of the food and in that way eating after dark is unhealthy both for us and for the small insects.
Jain Spirit June - August 2002
Why should Jains not eat underground vegetables?
•
When you use certain vegetables, they are plucked and not uprooted. With underground vegetables, the whole plant is uprooted and along with the roots the earthworms and insects are also disturbed. So to minimise himsa, it is better to take that which grows above the ground.
Why are there so many speeches in Jainism?
Because there are so many people. Different folks and different strokes. There are many ways of disseminating religious teaching: through art, theatre, classes, workshops, even film and television. We need to explore and use these alternatives.
Jain Education International 2010 03
Isn't Jainism out-of-date and out-of-step with the modern world (e.g. not eating after dark)?
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
