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Showing posts with label Ahinsa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ahinsa. Show all posts

Friday, July 18, 2014

‘Live and let live is the message preached during Chaturmas’

‘Live and let live is the message preached during Chaturmas’
Sakal Times
- CAMIL PARKHE
Thursday, 17 July 2014 - 11:10 PM IST

The four-month holy Chaturmas period of the Jain community is being observed from July 11 to November 6. Various religious programmes are being organised at Jain temples and other institutions. Ratanmuniji, who has been camping at Moraya Yatri Nivas in Chinchwadgaon, speaks to Camil Parkhe about the significance of Chaturmas.

What is the significance of the Chaturmas period?
Chaturmas is the four month period during the Monsoon when various forms of life, including insects, are born. The Jain munis continue their sojourn for religious preaching during the eight months of the year and during Chaturmas they rest at a particular site so that no form of life is harmed because of their physical movement. Ahimsa or non-violence and respect for all forms of life are the most important tenets of the religion. 'Live and let live' is the message preached during Chaturmas.

What religious activities are performed during this period?
During Chaturmas, munis reside at a particular chosen venue where they carry out various religious activities along with the local devotees. They deliver discourses, guide the devotees on scriptures and conduct debates on religious and ethical issues. Chaturmas is the holy period of prayer, meditation and penance. The religious activities at the Jain institutions are attended by a large number of devotees.

What is the message given to people during Chaturmas?
The message to Jain devotees and also people of other faiths is to respect all forms of life, follow ahimsa (non-violence) and promote peace. Being materialistic and selfish results in hatred, while love and sacrifice bring happiness and peace. Jain religion preaches sacrifice and sharing of one's assets with the underprivileged. That is why members of the Jain community are seen giving alms and participating in charitable activities.

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Friday, August 23, 2013

'The Chaturmas is a period of spiritual purification'

'The Chaturmas is a period of spiritual purification'
- CAMIL PARKHE
Thursday, 22 August 2013 - 10:06 PM IST

The Jain community is presently observing the holy period of Chaturmas. Sadhvi Vishwadarshanaji, who is camping at Kalyan Pratishthan in Chinchwad, explains to Camil Parkhe the significance of this holy period, related to prayers, penance and purification.

What is the significance of Chaturmas?
The holy Chaturmas period - the four months of the monsoon season - is exclusively devoted for spiritual and religious affairs. The Jain gurus and sadhvis, who tour different areas on foot for eight months of the year, preaching the religion, choose a place to camp during the four months of the Chaturmas. During this period, religious leaders guide devotees on the teachings of Lord Mahavir. The daily activities during the Chaturmas include religious discourses, discussion on various religious matters and also sanskar classes for children.

What are the obligations of the devotees during the holy period?


Devotees  attend discourses daily and also observe some penance like total (nirankar) fasting for a day or more, but that is not enough. The devotees are also advised to follow the principle of non-violence, to shun hatred and to forgive others during this holy period. The eight-day-long Paryushan Mahaparva, which will be observed from September 2 to 9, is the most important part of the Chaturmas.

Sawantsari Mahaparva, the last day of Paryushan Mahaparva, is the most holy day when devout Jains all over the world observe a fast. The Chaturmas is a period of spiritual purification.

What is the relevance of the Ahimsa (non-violence) principle in today's world?

The principle of non-violence has become even more relevant at present in view of the growing incidents of terrorism all over the world. Love begets peace and hatred begets violence. Mahatma Gandhi too advocated non-violence to fight against the British. The root cause of most ills in the world is hatred towards other people or entities. If people love their fellow beings and also all living beings, there will be peace and happiness in the world.