________________
MAY 2016
PRABUDDH JEEVAN
41
"SamanSuttam" A Devout Embellish for Today's world!
PRACHI SHAH
SamanSuttam, the devout word itself refers to In chapter 11, Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) "sayings of Sramans" (Jain Clairvoyants). It may be a is described profoundly. Please allow me to articulate novel term for some. So just to beget to you an my thoughts on Aparigraha. In Saman Suttam, it is epigrammatic of it, Saman Suttam is the religious text said that "Owing to attachment, a person commits created in 1974 by a committee consisting of violence, tells lies, commits theft, indulges in sex and representatives of each of the major sects of Jainism to develops a width for unlimited hoarding." reconcile the teachings of Jaina sects. It was released There is no harm in holding a desire in oneself, but on the occasion of Lord Mahavira's 2500th Nirvana clasping to that desire leads to greed and when this Anniversary. Acharya Shri Vinoba Bhave once keenly desire leads to conflicts in your mind, it leads to karmic desired that on the basis of Jaina Agamas, there cycle. Our soul is like a prisoner if we hold on to should be a book which is accepted and endorsed by possessiveness. Hence we need to shed off the all the four sects of Jainism. Such a book should thought of clinging to anything, and practice include the entire Jaina code of conduct, philosophy, Aparigraha. The more we practice Parigraha and Vision. Kshullaka JinendraVarni was inspired by (possessiveness, the more we are holding our souls this persona of Shri Vinoba Bhave and structured a from being free. The more munificently we share and literature extracting the verieties written in Ardha- give away, the more expansive and free we become. Magadhi text. This was then appraised in details by The journey of life is through liberation of our souls as several JainaAcharyas, muni and scholars from explained in Jainism and is the utmost truth. Hence, if different sects of Jaina. Thus, today we are sanctified we constantly practice parigraha (possessiveness), with one compilation from Jain Sacred Scripture how are we going to let our soul free to satiate in the Agamas, in a naive and expounding format, - yearnings of Jaintatva? The first step to this is, delete Saman Suttam.
the word 'MY' from our dictionary.Initiating the control Formerly nearly two-thousand years, a composition in our speech and thought could perpetually instigate namely"Tatvartha Sutra" by AcharyaUmaswati the desire or Aparigraha and will come to practice.I explaining Jain Philosophy and conduct did take a believe, once this first step is achieved, slowly and contour, but it did not outline a clear sectarian division. gradually we might detach our soul from excessive
We are aware of the fact that by 20th century, desires and Parigraha and eventually will land up Jainism had been gradually divided into various practicing Jain philosophy of Aparigraha. I remember different sects. Although, the two major sects once, years back, I came in acquaintance of a Svetambara and Digambara did exist during the time venerable personal, who carried only 4 pair of clothes of Lord Mahavir Swami. But these two sects were in his closet and wouldn't buy a new pair of shoe until progressively further divided into various sub-sects. the one he had was completely worn out. That time, This put forth a question to the current next generation being ignorant, I found it a little strange and could not of the 20th century, which right stream of Jainism to understand the reason behind it. But as and when I sail through. Under this circumstances, an outstanding learnt the true meaning of what Mahavirbhagwaan has occurrence of someone to compile a text on Jain taught in his lessons and what the actual Jain philosophy and principles, and that too, it be philosophy of Aparigraha is, I realized how generous countersigned by all sects of Jainas, was a godsend. is that individual to practice Aparigraha in his unique In this modern era, integration of these sects, and much substantial conduct. This was just his way harmonizing to one perception of Jain philosophy, of Aparigraha towards external possessions. seemed like flying away and reach the horizons after Further, in Saman Suttam, it is explained that, a fighting the gravity to magnify the Jain fortitudes. person who hoards even the slightest amount of an
Saman Suttam consists of 44 chapters, which is animate or inanimate thing or gives consent to someone subdivided into four sections, i.e. (1) Source of for hoarding, will not escape from misery. Whoever Illumination; (2) Path of Liberation; (3) Metaphysics; frees himself from the instinct of possessiveness, can (4) Theory of Relativity. These 44 chapters are renounce his possession. A monk who has nothing of compiled of 756 verses accomplished from Jain his own has really seen the path (of liberation)". Scriptures.
Attachment of possessiveness is of two kinds;
