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Letter 1
Introduction to Jain Tattva Letter 1
May 11, 1993. Dr. (Mrs.) Ujwala D. Shah
157/9 Nirmala Niwas Sion (E), Mumbai 400 022
Tel. 4073581. Dear Reena & Mona,
Blessings & Best Wishes. Reena, you got married and left your maternal home and entered into a totally different role of a housewife. While Mona when you left to join the hostel for higher studies at first, I was worried about your basic needs regarding your meals and the adjustment to the new environment.
But now what I am more concerned about is that you will be meeting people from all walks of life, with different ideologies and religious beliefs and what will be their impact on you?
In such a critical situation, I feel it very essential to explain to you about the exact nature of True religion i.e. Sanatan Dharma ( HAITA U ).
Right from your childhood you have listened to and practised certain principles and rituals from the elders of the house and have inherited the basic religious culture ( संस्कार).
And while interacting with other people of different beliefs, misbeliefs, conviction of various other religions you will start wondering which is the true and proper religion.
Therefore now it is the time when we should critically examine the principles of Jain philosophy and have our faith confirmed in them.
I hope these writings which is the result of our study, will benefit you and many others who have the urge to know the true principles of Jainism.
Initially one should know exactly the true nature of God. Is it a supernatural power? Is it a Super human being? To know this one should understand some basic things.
So first we will try to understand what is Atma BAT or soul – as it is normally called.
Atma is synonymous with Jeev.or soul. To be very specific, Atma is usually referred to one's own soul and Jeev is a general term for every soulany soul.
All living beings like yourself, myself and all beings who have ability to know, in other words, those who possess the attribute of knowledge,
