YJA Convention 1996 07 San Francisco CA Second

Author(s): Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA

Page 75

Man's true nature is divine and eternal. Preaching - The greatness of self giving love and compassion towards all creatures. Middle path consist of living moderately and avoiding extremes
Scriptures -
Tripitika for Theravad sect, Sutras for Mahayan sect Written in Pali language (vernacular)
Jainism:
God is a pure consciousness or perfected soul without any karma attached to it The primary goal is to become a perfected (liberated) soul, known'as Siddha or God At liberation the soul remains finite, lives in Moksha forever, and never loses its identity The path of liberation is to follow: right perception, right knowledge, and right conduct Each human soul is eternal and individual and capable of becoming perfect Each must conquer his desire by his own effort to attain liberation Our actions of body, mind, and speech bind karma particles to us in this world Nonviolence followed in action, thought, and speech is the highest religion Self purification, penance, austerity, and meditation are essential for liberation Scriptures - Agam Sutras written in Ardha-magdhi language (vernacular) Scriptures guide moral and spiritual life to ultimately attain liberation
Pravin K. Shah Jain Study Center of NC (Raleigh) 919-469-0956