Chapter 12 – Path of Liberation – Three Jewels The ultimate goal of all life and conduct in Jainism is to realize the free and blissful state of our true being. True philosophy should result in removing all bondage (karma) in the process of purifying the soul. The central theme…
Chapter 11 – What Is Dharma (Religion) May the entire universe attain bliss, May all beings be oriented to the interest of others, Let all faults be eliminated and May people be happy everywhere. Jain Verse May all persons be happy, May all be disease free, May all…
Chapter 10 – Dreams of Mother Trishalä Tirthankar Mahävir’s soul was a heavenly god in the tenth heaven before being born as Prince Vardhamän. At midnight on the sixth day of the bright half of Ashädh, his Äyushya Karma ended, and so did his life as a heavenly god (Dev). …
Chapter 09 – Jain Symbols Main Symbol This Jain Symbol is an arrangement of various symbols, each having a significant meaning. This symbol was adopted by all sects of Jainism while commemorating the 2500th anniversary of the nirvana of Lord Mahävir. The outline of the symbol represents the shape of…
Chapter 08 – Going To The Temple – Digambar Tradition Every idol-worshipping religion attaches great significance to Pujä of the idol and corresponding rituals. A person feels gratified and experiences great joy upon catching a glimpse of the idol, which he/she adores the most. The Six Daily Essentials Prescribed for…
Chapter 07 – Going To The Temple – Shvetämbar Tradition One can pray at anytime, anywhere. But a special sacred place, set-aside just for prayer, is the temple. Because it is a sacred place, there are special rules one should follow while in the temple. First of all, before you…
Chapter 06 – Guru Gautam-Swämi In 607 B.C., in the village of Gobar of India, a Brahmin couple called Vasubhuti and Prithvi Gautam (family name) had a son named Indrabhuti. He was tall and handsome. He had two younger brothers named Agnibhuti and Väyubhuti. All three were well versed in…
Chapter 05 – Jain Laity or Householders (Shrävakas and Shrävikäs) Monks and nuns are very keen about the uplift of their souls and hence they sacrifice all worldly enjoyments and family relationships, and adopt the five great vows (Mahä-vratas). For those who want to remain in family life, the complete…
Chapter 04 – Jain Ascetics (Sädhus and Sädhvis) When a person renounces worldly life and all worldly attachments and is initiated into monkhood or nunhood, the man is called Sädhu, Shraman or Muni and the woman is called Sädhvi, Shramani, or Äryä. Their renunciation is total, which means they are…
Chapter 03 – Lord Mahävir and His Teachings Lord Mahävir is the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankar of the religion of this era. According to Jain philosophy, all Tirthankars were human beings but they attained a state of perfect enlightenment through meditation and self-realization. They are faultless human model. They are…
Chapter 02 – Tirthankars Time rolls along in eternal cycles of rise and decline. Utsarpini is a “rising” era in, which human morale and natural conditions improve over time. At the end of Utsarpini, begins Avasarpini, a “declining” era of the same length, in, which human morale and virtues deteriorate.…
