Siddhachalam NJ 1993 06 Acharya Sushil Kumarji

Author(s): Siddhachalam NJ
Publisher: USA International Mahavir Jain Mission Siddhachalam

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FIRE CEREMONY AT THE SACRED EARTH GATHERING
The fire ceremony which has just been initiated by the venerable chiefs of the indigenous people of the USA and Brazil symbolizes man's interdependence on nature, the holistic link between humanity and the elements of nature and also the respect and regard which we must give to the powerful energy-generating forces of Nature. If Nature gives us its bounties for our happiness and progress, we must revive the indigenous tradition of worshipping it. Fire has been a very vital force of Nature. In the history of all religions of the world, fire worship has had a place of pride. In one way or another, humankind has been worshipping fire - be it in Mexico, Egypt, Brazil, Nepal or India. In a very intrinsic sense, fire is all pervasive. In the oceans, the energy force is Vadav Agni. In the outer space also the energy force of fire is present. And on earth fire takes its power, capacity and potency from the Sun, and people all the world over have been worshipping fire like the Sun. Fire has an undeniable significance for the sustenance of life on earth: Om Agni mide Purohittam Yagasya Devam Ho Taram Ratnadhjatman
"I worship the Fire which does all good. The God of the Yagna is fire. Fire transforms precious metal and gives it its beauty and quality. The great Hindu sage Vishwamitra said, 'O' fire, you move everything forward and hence you are called Agni." In Hindu culture, burning fire is witness to all important and auspicious celebrations like the birth, naming, wedding and death ceremonies. Vows taken before fire have a sanctity which is inviolable. In the Jain religion, fire has a comprehensive orientation in terms of an inner and outer fire. In the Uttaradhayayan Sutra there are references to it. The outer fire is, like in all religions, an external energy source. The inner fire is sought to be lit through meditation, abstinence and "Tapa" in one's inner consciousness so that the fire may lead to the emergence of inner light. This in turn would empower an individual to achieve Right Knowledge (Samyak Gyan) and Right Perception (Samyak Darshan) and inspire Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra).
It is very heart-warming to see in the Western world in these far away continents of North and South America - indigenous people have kept alive their age-old cultures and old traditions which includes worshipping the God of Fire. This is a reflection of their link to India from which they traveled outward, reaching and settling in these faraway places. These nomads have been described in Hindu religious texts as "Yayavar" groups who had left India, about or even before the time of Lord Krishna, some 5,000 to 6,000 years ago. It is amazing and also endearing that despite exposure to western materialism, they have kept up these spiritual traditions, which are now coming to be respected by Americans, Brazilians and indeed the whole of the Western world.
At the Earth Summit, indigenous people have gained a powerful voice. Their voice has been heard with respect and the world is coming to realize the virtues of communing with Mother Nature and avoiding any abuse of the power of her elements.
As a Jain Monk and a spiritual person from India, I am glad to participate in the fire ceremony. As we sit in a circle around the fire, we come to appreciate its symbolic oneness of humanity and the oneness of humankind with nature. And we remember that all life, all life forms and all life forces and energy is sacrosanct and should be accorded the reverence it deserves from a spiritual point of view.
Guruji participating in the indigenous fire ceremony at the Ranch in Rio
Crusader for Peace and Non-Violence
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