Jainism For Beginners Level 03

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 94

utensil) is heavy; please let me carry it for you. Gautam-Swami said, "Aimutta, I cannot give it to you because it can only be carried by those who have taken Diksha & have become a monk."
a monk, we do not do any activity that causes sins, Aimutta said. "In that case, Gurudev, I want to take Diksha."
Aimutta asked, "What is Diksha?"
Gautam-Swami explained to him that when someone takes avow of Diksha he renounces the worldly life, his house, his family, & all other social & economic ties. Then he becomes a monk. People take Diksha to avoid the accumulation of bad Karma & to attain liberation; in normal everyday living, people are involved in various activities which cause them to accumulate Karmas. On the other hand, monks & Sadhvijis avoid all the activities of householders in order to avoid accumulating these Karmas.
Aimutta & Gautam-Swami walked to the place where Lord Mahavir was giving a sermon. Aimutta joined the others to listen to his teachings. In that sermon. Aimutta learned what life is all about & what one can do if he or she wants to eliminate worldly suffering. Aimutta expressed his desire to become a monk to Lord Mahavir. Lord Mahavir said, "We cannot give you Diksha without your parents' permission." Aimutta replied, “That is easy, I will go home, get their permission & come back.” Aimutta went home. He told his mother, "Mother, I want to take Diksha. Remember you used to say 'household life is full of violence & causes sins?" Gautam-Swami & Lord Mahavir also said the same. I want to be free of sins. Therefore, please give me permission to take Diksha"
Stories During Bhagwan Mahavirs Life
Aimutta became curious & asked, "Gurudev, you do not commit sins! However, don't you need to eat? don't you need a place to live? All these activities cause sins which acquire bad Karmas."Gautam-Swami was pleased with the child's interest to learn more. So he explained. "We take food but we do not accept food which is made specially for us. We stay in a place but we do not own it, & we do stay there for more than a few days at a time. We do not keep money, & we do not take part in any business or any organization. Thus, as
Aimutta's mother was surprised by his words. She was happy in her
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