Jains Through Time

Author(s): Shilapi Sadhvi
Publisher: Veerayatan

Page 21

In the Rig-Veda, it is written: kālō ha sarvasyēśvaraḥ "Time is the Lord of the universe. Time alone determines everything; it is the universal executor and legislator'. Tirthankar Mahavir said: vattaṇā lakkhanō kālō - 'the characteristic of Time is that it makes things change. It determines and regulates a system in the universe.' Time is instrumental in making new things old and old things new. In the words of Tirthankar Mahavir, 'He who grasps the present moment in its entirety acquires a knowledge of the endless past and the infinite future as well.' Time is that which knows all that is, all that was, and all that will be; Time has a trikalvarti existence.
One of the oldest religions of the world, Jainism, accords Time an honoured, sovereign, irreducible and metaphysical status. Like Time, Jainism too has no beginning and no end; it is limitless in its scope. Just as every moment of Time is connected to every other, so too is Jainism logical and coherent. It seems as if Time and Jainism exist on a parallel. Although Jainism is a proud symbol of human civilisation and has a fascinating past, not much is known about it. Since Time witnesses everything that happens in this universe, let us look at the glorious past of Jainism through the eyes of Time.
That splendid past, each moment of which is replete with simple austerity, the purity of the inner self, and ablaze with the light of compassion for all. Every aspect of the chronicles of Jainism is embellished with the swastikas (auspicious symbols) of service,
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devotion and spiritual enlightenment, but along with these propitious symbols, some and inauspicious signs of division disharmony well. can be found as Nevertheless, it is our past that keeps our present alive and gives us inspiration for the future.
Veerayatan, having embraced that imposing past, is no mere institution; it's a living breathing form of an undying commitment
working for people's welfare, a reverberating echo of the magnificent achievements of Jainism. The hallowed ground of this place of spiritual development is consecrated by the practical task of reconstructing the world through welfare work, thus demonstrating the quintessential application of timeless truths in the principles of Jainism.
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Dedicated as it is to samast-lok-kalayan, an all-embracing concept of human welfare, Veerayatan is a true emblem of Jainism. On the auspicious occasion of its Silver Jubilee, some glimpses of Jainism's splendid past, forming the basis for a new direction, are presented here. It is important, therefore, to absorb those practices that will bring about this new direction, and let go of those elements which may hinder growth and expansion.
So, let us put the history of the Jains in proper perspective by viewing it from afar. Let's imagine Time, that impartial and unimpeachable witness of all events, stepping forward to uncover Jainism's glorious past.