Jainism For Beginners Level 02

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

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him they requested him to be the king for a day. They wanted to see him enjoy the kingdom and its wealth for at least one day. To honor his parent's wish he accepted their request.
After accepting Diksha from Bhagawan Mahavir and listening to his first sermon as an ascetic, Meghakumar got ready for bed at night. Being the newest ascetic he was allotted the last place near the gate. During the night many monks kept going in and out and bumping Meghakumar with their feet in the dark. He could not sleep all night and started thinking of his life as a prince and how he had received honor and respect. In the life of a monk, he did not receive that honor and respect. On the contrary accidental kicking by the other monks all through the night disturbed his sleep. At dawn he went to Bhagawan Mahavir to tell him about his decision to resume the life of a householder. "Bhagwan," he said, "I think I will be going home today.
Ayear latter a fire broke out in the forest where you were living. With your herd you rushed to the clear area and found that the area was filled with other animals, big and small, who had sought safety from the fire. Animals that may normally eat one another were standing side-byside, grateful to be safe from the fire. You found yourself squashed between all the other animals. Then you raised your foot to scratch. After scratching, as you were about to put your foot down, you noticed that a timid little white rabbit now occupied the spot, on which your foot had been, The feeling of compassion arose within you and you kept your foot raised for three days giving sanctuary to that little rabbit. After three days, when the fire was over and the smoke had cleared, all the animals were happy to go back to the forest. You saw the little white rabbit find his family and scurry away. when you tried to put your foot down you found that your leg was very stiff and hence you could not straighten it. You fell to the ground totally exhausted and died.
LIVING VALUES COMPASSION & FRIENDSHIP
Bhagwan Mahavir said, “Before you return home, I am going to tell you a story of an elephant."
Once there was a great big fire in the forest where you were living. Upon seeing the fire you attained Jatismaran Jnan (knowledge of previous lives) and you remembered a similar situation in which you had died. Remembering that you cleared an area of all vegetation so that in the future you would have a place to take refuge incase of a forest fire.
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