Jainism and Mahavira

Author(s): Bhagchandra Jain Bhaskar
Publisher: Digambar Jain Sahitya Sanskriti Sanskaran Samiti

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Jaina terminology which means to make the body and the passion thin.
In modern days it is named "Euthanasia" or teacher "Right to die" which is a sort of suicide and not the spiritual death. This has come into light the world over and became a subject of debate because of the revolutionary changes in medical knowledge and life-supporting systems which could prolong human life even after the brain stopped functioning. The practice, has, of course been accepted in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom and some other countries. But it should be treated as the case of suicide if it does not follow the line of spiritual death.
Thus the householder's stage is the pre-stage of a Jaina ascetic. It is, therefore, simply natural for him to observe the ascetic practices to certain extent. The daily routine of a Jaina lay disciple starts with reciting the Mahamantra "NAMO ARIHANTANAM, NAMO SIDDHANAM, NAMO AYARIYANAM, NAMO UVAJJHAYANAM, NAMO LOE SABBASAHUNAM” in Brahmamuhurta (early morning) thinking" who am I?" What are my vows"? "What is my Dharma"? etc. He then meditates, studies the Scriptures, worships the Jinas and then takes the meals. Avasyakas and Pratikramana are also to be observed by the householder 9.
Another type of division of spiritual stages is called Gunasthanas in the Jaina scritpture. They are fourteen in number stating the nature of the self in possession of the Ratnatraya on the path of purification. It starts with Mithyadrsti, the lowest one which involves gross ignorence where the self accepts wrong belief as a right, and therefore, the person cannot make a distinction between reality and unreality, and ends with Ayogakevali, the last one and most purified stage where all the passions and karmas are annihilated by the third and fourth stage of Sukladhyayana. This is called Siddhavastha. The spiritual development in fourteen steps can be comprehended by the three main divisions, viz. the external self (Bahiratmana), internal self (Antaratman) and the transcendental self (Paramatman) Jaina Mendicant
Jain scripture prescribes a code of conduct for a spiritual aspirant. It is called Samacaro (Right conduct) which is formulated 29. Dharmabindu, 3.46; Sagaradharmamrta, 5.1-9.
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