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LETTERS
251 2. Time is divided into innumerable Kalpas (Cycles). Each Cycle is divided into an ascending era and a descending era. In each era 24 Tirthankaras (Jinas who teach the way of Salvation) appear at long intervals, preach Jainism and re-establish the Dharma. Lord Mahavira who lived from 599 B. C. to 527 B.C. was the last and the 24th Tirthankara in the current Cycle of time. Many thousands of years are yet to pass before the advent of the next Tirthankara (World Teacher.)
3. Jainism teaches that God, Universe, and the Souls are existing from eternity and will continue to exist for ever.
4. God according to Jainism is neither the Creator nor the Destroyer of the world. He is not an angry, playful or unthinking being. He has infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite power, infinite bliss etc. He is the greatest benefactor of the world. We worship Him not because He is said to be the Creator, Ruler, Judge or Destroyer of the world, but because He has taught us all about the Reality and shown us the way to Salvation while He was a Tirthankara in this world. By praising the infinite qualities of God, by bowing down to Him and by thinking of Him we purify our own selves. Our worship to Him is not to get any favour nor to avoid frown.
5. The fullest, the truest and the greatest manifestation of God is in the Tirthankara. God lives, moves and reveals himself as the Teacher and Saviour of all living beings in the person of the Tirthankara. The Thirthankara knows all things of the past, present and the future. His body is extremely beautiful. Miracles are seen wherever he goes. The lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, the dumb speak and the maimed are made whole and the sick people become healthy and strong. Nature bows down to Him and ministers unto Him. All living beings live in friendliness. The lion, the tiger, the deer, the cow, the sheep, the snake, the mongoose, the rat, the cat etc., sit together forgetting their enmity. Not only men but all sentient beings gather around the Lord to listen to His Teachings. His teachings are not for man alone but for all living beings He does not speak in any man-made dialect. He speaks
in a language whicb is understood by all men animals and birds. Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
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