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JANUARY 2015
PRABUDDH JEEVAN
41
This is the beginning. If we stay on the right path then (life span determining) Karma. These four karmas do we will proceed to a higher state, Arihant, and ultimately not affect the true nature of the soul; therefore, they proceed to Siddha after nirvana (liberation from the are called Aghati karmas. After attaining salvation these cycle of birth and death). The goal of every Jain is, or Arihants are called Siddhas. should be, to become a siddha.
2. SIDDHAS ARIHANTAS
Siddhas are the liberated souls. They are no longer The word Arihanta is made up of two words: (1) Ari, among us because they have completely ended the meaning enemies, and (2) hanta, meaning destroyer. cycle of birth and death. They have reached the ultiTherefore, Arihanta means a destroyer of the enemies. mate highest state, salvation. They do not have any These enemies are inner desires known as passions. karmas, and they do not collect any new karmas. This These include anger, ego, deception, and greed. These state of true freedom is called Moksha. Siddhas are are the internal enemies within us. Until we control our experiencing unobstructed bliss (eternal happiness). passions, the real nature or the power of our soul will They have complete knowledge and perception and not be realized or manifested. When a person (soul) infinite power. They are formless and have no passions wins over these inner enemies he/she is called Arihanta. and therefore are free from all temptations. When that happens, the person has destroyed the four 3. ACHARYAS ghati karmas namely Jnanavarniya (knowledge block. The message of Jina, Lord Mahavira the last ing) Karma, Darshanavarniya (perception blocking) Tirhankara, is carried on by the Acharyas. They are Karma, Mohniya (passion causing) Karma and our spiritual leaders. The responsibility of the spiritual Antaraya (obstacle causing) Karma. These karmas are welfare, but not social or economical welfare of the called ghati karmas because they directly affect the true entire Jain Sangh, rests on the shoulders of the nature of the soul. Arihanta attains: (1) Kevaljnan, per- Acharyas. Before reaching this state, one has to do infect knowledge due to the destruction of all depth study and achieve mastery of the Jain scriptures Jnanavarniya Karmas, (2) Kevaldarshan, perfect per- (Agams). In addition to acquiring a high level of spiriception due to the destruction of all Darshanavarniya tual excellence, they have the ability to lead the monks karmas, (3) becomes passionless due to the destruc- and nuns. They know various languages with a sound tion of all Mohniya Karmas, and (4) gains infinite power knowledge of other philosophies and religions of the due to the destruction of all Antaraya Karmas. Com- area and the world. plete knowledge and perception means they know and (4) UPADHYAYAS see everything everywhere that is happening now, that This title is given to those Sadhus who have acquired has happened in the past, and that will happen in the a special knowledge of the Agams and philosophical future. Arihantas are divided into two categories: systems. They teach Jain scriptures and Sadhvis. Tirthankar and Ordinary. Tirthankars are special (5) SADHUS AND SADHVIS Arihantas because they revitalize the Jain Sangh (four- When householders detach themselves from the fold Jain Order) consisting of Sadhus, Sadhvis, worldly aspects of life and get the desire for spiritual Shravaks (male householders), and Shravikas (female uplift (and not worldly uplift), they give up their worldly householders). During every half time cycle, twentyfour lives and become Sadhu (monk) or sadhvi (nun). A persons like us rise to the level of Tirthankar. The first male person is called sadhus, and a female person is Tirthankar of our time period was Lord Rushabhdev, called Sadhvis. Before becoming sadhus or sadhvis, a and the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankar was Lord lay person must observe sadhus or to understand their Mahavir, who lived from 599 B.C. to 527 B.C. Tirthankar life style and do religious studies. When they feel conis also called a Jina. Jina means conqueror of pas- fident that they will be able to live the life of a monk or a sions. At the time of nirvan (liberated from the worldly nun, then they inform the Acharya that they are ready existence), Arihanta sheds off the remaining four aghati to become sadhu or sadhvi. If Acharya is convinced karmas namely (1) Nam (physical structure forming) that they are ready and are capable of following the Karma, (2) Gotra (status forming) Karma, (3) Vedniya vows of sadhu or sadhvi, then he gives them Deeksha. (pain and pleasure causing) Karma and (4) Ayushya Deeksha is initiation ceremony when a householders
