Portrait of Jain Religion

Author(s): Narendra Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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He attained a state of infinite knowledge, infinite intuition, infinite energy and infinite bliss. He radiated unique peace, equanimity, tranquility, fearlessness and compassion. His human personality was shaped into a SARVODAYA TIRTH (Enlightened Center) and he emerged as a role model for all human beings. The unparalleled depth of his penance and meditation opened in his teachings wider vistas and deeper vision of ethical and spiritual thought and conduct and of rationally and scientifically tapping the immense potentialities of the human soul through selfrestraint, self-purification and self-realisation. Meditating in silence and deep contemplation under a sal tree called tree on the banks of river Rijkula, Mahavir delivered his first Sermon (Divya Dhwani) after achieving omniscience at a religious congregation. The congregation called Samavasharan in Jain scriptures was attended not only by human beings, but also a wide variety of species from the animal, bird and vegetable kingdom besides a number of celestial beings showering petals of flowers. The gathering listening to Mahavir's first sermon as Tirthankar was reflective of human destiny being entwined with other living beings as well as forces of nature in an ambience of mutual supportiveness very aptly described in Jain scripture TATWARTHA SUTRA as PARASPAROPGRAHA JEEVANAM. The concept became one of the fundamental tenets of Jainism in its : comprehensive interpretation of Ahimsa (non-violence). Mahavir observed to his principal pupil (Ganadhar) Indrabhooti Gautam: “One who ignores the existence of earth, water, fire, wind and vegetation, ignores infact the very basis of one's own existence which is entwined with them.”
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A Portrait of Jain Religion