Jinamanjari 2001 04 No 23

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 42

Agās, a 'golden' image of him is the object of a daily pūjā ritual performed by one designated member of the aśram community. Followers are divided in their opinion about the appropriateness of this because, unlike a Jina, śrīmad is not believed to have attained omniscience. Śrīmad's image has evolved in parallel with the growth of the followers movement from photographs to 'golden' effigies. This indicates an increase in the status of the person and the ideals that the image represents. It also indicates a gain in the momentum of the movement.
Writings
śrīmad left an extensive body of writing in the form of poetry, didactic texts, diary entries and letters. It can be surmised that he intended his letters to be kept and studied because he referred disciples to particular examples addressed either to themselves or their counterparts. Under his instruction copies of some letters were made and distributed amongst designated disciples.
. During his lifetime, with his consent and a degree of editing, a close disciple called Ambalāl Lālcand collated much of śrīmad's public and private writings into a single volume titled śrīmad Rājacandra. A second edition of Srimad Rājacandra was collated by Srimad's younger brother Mansukh Mahetā. This volume has undergone a number of reprints but it continues to represent a complete anthology of Śrīmad's extant literature. It is published by the āśram at Agās and sold at a subsidised cost. His letters and didactic texts emphasise Srimad's accomplishments as a religious philosopher and practitioner, traits which followers prioritise over his astonishing memory feats or other supernatural talents. The volume of śrīmados collected writings provides a precise record of his teaching in a closed canon, with no ambiguity about its origin or authenticity.
Since their compilation and publication, śrīmad's writings have become revered as scripture by his followers. Most households own a volume of śrīmad Rajacandra and the book, as an object, is treated with great respect. Srimad's writings figure highly in his followers' religious practise; extracts are read during individual religious study, collective bhakti, and
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