Jain Thoughts And Prayers

Author(s): Kanti V Maradia
Publisher: Yorkshire Jain Foundation

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REFERENCES
Jaini, P.S. "Jain Path of Purification" Berkeley, 1979 (Reprinted by Motilal Banarsidass).
Marett, P. "Jainism Explained" Jain Samaj Publication, Leicester, 1985.
Mardia, K.V. "The Scientific Foundations of Jainism" Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 2002, 2nd Edition.Hindi edition (2004).Parsvanath Institute, Varanasi.
Jain, D.C. "Studies in Jainism; Reader 1." Jain Study Circle, New York, 1990.
Jain, P.S. "Essential of Jainism" Jain Center of Greater Boston, 1984.
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1- JAIN THOUGHTS
THE ESSENCE OF JAINISM
Jainism is derived from the word 'Jina' which means a person who has conquered himself or herself and Jainism is equivalent to the quality of "Jainness".
Jains believe that the religion was founded by Rishabha (Aadinaath) and is extremely ancient. The last Tirthankara (spiritual path-maker) of twenty four was Mahavira (599 B.C.-527 B.C.); the twenty third was Paarsva (872 B.C. - 772 B.C.).
The essence of Jainism is as follows:
1. Self-Conquest
Each person is the architect of his/her own fate. Each individual has the potential to reach the highest spiritual level by self-improvement. There is no single supreme power, every thing exists within the self-regulatory laws of the universe.
2. Karmic Matter
It is regarded as a natural law that soul is For Private & Personal Use Only www.yjf.org.uk
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