________________
Letter 3
In these times parents try to put their children in the best available schools at the tender age of 2 - 3 years. They are ready to pay heavy donation for that. Once they secure the admission they feel it's a great achievement. In the beginning the children cry a lot and don't want to go to school. Yet mercilessly parents send them to the school.
20
Because they know the importance of gaining academic knowledge without which monetary gains and sound status both can not be achieved. Unless the parents realise the necessity and importance of Jain philosophy or religion as it is commonly known, how can they impart it to their own children ?
Moreover those children who are studying in English medium schools go further away from our philosophy. Under such circumstances our responsibility increases. We are duty bound to see that they get this priceless treasure of our philosophy which is in the form of Jinavani. These days the translations of our scriptures and other philosophical books are available in English.
These letters are my sincere efforts in that direction.
After reading my first letter in Marathi your cousin Reshma said to me, "I found certain Marathi words and terminology difficult to understand. But after reading them in proper context 3-4 times, I grasped the proper meaning. Earlier I had different notion about Soul and Body. Now I have found out that in reality it is not so. Now I know the exact truth as it exists".
In our daily life in this material world, we do try to acquire knowledge about various things and subjects. Reena, look at your father-in-law Shashikant Bhai. His knowledge about various subjects like modern technology, medical science, film technology etc. is amazing.
Along with that his eagerness to gain more and more knowledge of Jain philosophy is also praise worthy. If one has an open rational mind to know new subject then he can decide and know what is proper and improper or what is right and what is wrong.
Acharya Amrutchandra anar and in his book Atmakhyati आत्मख्याति says ' अयि कथमपि मृत्वा तत्त्व कोतुहली सन् ।' It means that one should at any cost or even at the cost of his own life try to ponder upon and understand the importance of philosophy.
With love.
Your Mom.
