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The Teachings of Bhagawan
of
चत्तारि परमंगाणि, दुल्लहाणीह जन्तुणो । माणुसतं सुई सद्धा, संजमम्मि य वीरियं ।। १ ।।
(3.3.1)
Four things of paramount value are difficult to obtain here (in this world), by a living being (1) human birth, (2) religious instruction, (3) faith in the (true) religion, and (4) energy to practise. self-control.
Exp. These four are regarded as very rare and precious possessions, and so naturally are not easy to obtain by living beings. It is of course universally acknowledged that human birth is a very precious and most valuable thing. Man is called 'the crown of creation, but he forgets that he is born a human. being as a result of a very great strenuous effort on his part, and he should not waste the precious opportunity, but rather make the most of it. And that is why he is exhorted here to acquire the other three precious possessions if he wants to get the best out of his life in this world.
धम्मो मंगलमुक्कि अहिंसा संजमो तवो ।
देवा वि तं नमसंति जस्स धम्मे सया मणो । । २ । ।
( दश. 1.1 )
Religion is the most auspicious thing (in the world) and religion consists of Ahimsa-non-injury to all living beings, Samyama-self-control, and Tapasausterities. Even the gods bow down to him whose mind is always fixed (engaged) in religion..
Exp. Man always craves for good and auspicious things and happenings in life. But he forgets that there is nothing more auspicious. In the world than religion. It is the most efficacious amulet to ward off all evils in the world. A man who is always devoted to religion is far superior even to gods.
सरीरमाहु नाव त्ति जीवो बुच्चइ नाविओ।
संसारो अण्णवो वत्तो जं तरन्ति महेसिणो ।। ३॥
(3.23.73)
The body is said to be the boat and the soul is aid to be the sailor. The samsara (worldly existence). is said to be the ocean which is crossed (only) by great sages.
अप्पा खलु सययं रक्खियव्वो सब्बिन्दिएहिं सुसमाहिएहि । अरक्खओ जाइपहं उबेई सुरविखओ सव्वद्हाण मुच्चइ ।। ४ ।। ( दश. चू. 2.16)
One must always guard oneself-(one's soul)(from all evils), by having all the sense-organs properly controlled. In case the soul is not well-guarded. it takes to the path leading to birth (and death); while if well-controlled, it becomes free from all (sworldly) sorrows and misery.
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Bhagawan Mahavir
अहिंसा सच्चं च अतेणगं तत्तो य बंभं अपरिग्गहं च । पडिवज्जिया पंच महव्वयाणि चरेज्ज धम्मं जिणदेसियं विदू । । ५ । । (3.21.12)
A wise monk should (always) practise the five great vows, viz. (1) to refrain from all injury to sentient beings, (2) to speak the truth, (3) not to steal (or not to take anything not given to him; (4) to observe celibacy, and (5) to have no possessions whatsoever; and he should (also) always follow the religion as preached by the Jinas.
Exp. For those who cannot undertake the five great vows, there are the five lesser or minor vows called the five Anuvratas, three Gunavratas, and four Siksavratas. This constitutes the twelve-fold code of conduct for a householder. If it is not possible for a householder to undertake all the twelve vows, then he should at least make a modest beginning, and should exert himself gradually, until he is in a position to accept all the vows.
तत्थिमं पढमं ठाणं महावीरेण देसियं । अहिंसा निउणा विट्ठा सव्वभूएस संजमो । । ६ । ।
(दश. 6.8)
The very first principle of religion laid down by Lord Mahavira is Ahimsa-Non-injury to living beings, which must be observed very scrupulously and thoroughly, and behaving towards all living beings with proper restraint and control.
Exp. The cardinal or the first principle of the Faith as propounded by Lord Mahavira (and the other Tirthamkaras also), is Ahimsa. It has got the pride of place or place of honour, among all the vows and all other precepts are subservient to it, or in fact follow from it logically. If a monk observes Ahimsa, both according to the letter and spirit, then he cannot violate any other vows.
सव्वे जीवा वि इच्छंति जीविडं न मरिज्जितं । तम्हा पाणिवहं घोरं निग्गथा वज्जयंति णं ।।७।।
( दश. 6.10)
All living creatures (that are in this world) desire to live. Nobody wishes to die. And hence it is that the Jain monks avoid the terrible (sin of) injury to living beings.
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लाभालाभे सुहे दुवखे जीविए मरणे तहा । समा निंदा पसंसासु तहा माणावमाणओ ।। ८ ।
(7.19.91)
He is indifferent to success or failure, happiness, and misery, life and death, as also to censure or praise, and honour or insults.
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