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birthday. Shree Kundkund Acharya is the master on the topic of the soul. His writings of 2000 years ago are the most revered teachings of Jainism around the globe. He has written comprehensive and detailed books known on the topic of soul. This is my kind of museum and I can enjoy this forever.
On this snowy morning, I remember the joy I saw in a girl who was never exposed to modern art and yet became completely engrossed in the MOMA. Similarly when I started reading the lectures given by Gurudev Shree on the Samaysar granth written by Pujya Kundkund Acharya for the first time I could not stop myself. I read about 6,000 pages in few months utilizing every free moment I had. The topic of the soul, which may not seem interesting to many, captured me.
After indulging in the memory of MOMA from years ago, I refocus on the MONA-run swadhyay about to start. We begin by listening to a melodious prayer. We then discuss one topic, the soul, through three main texts, or granths: Ratnakarand Shravakachar, Pravachansar, and Niyamsar. Many may be unfamiliar with these names. But these are the fundamental books on the topic of the soul. Three lecturers joined us from India one at a time for about an hour each. We discuss the topic and ask questions. We have e-texts in front of us on our computers and iPads; with the translations in the language we are most familiar with, such as Hindi or Gujarati.
First lecture: Pandit Uttam Chandji talks about Ratnakarand Shravakachar, and he discusses the first two shlokas of this granth. This granth, written by Shree Samantbhadracharya, describes the life of a Jain householder. It talks about how one can live while enjoying the Eternal, and not experience any sorrow, tears, or even temporary joy. He speaks very fluent Hindi with great speed and clarity. He explains the
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