Federation Of Jain Associations in North America
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Sincerely, | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| One who cultivates an attitude of equality towards all living beings,mobile and stationary, can attain equanimity. Thus do what kevalis say. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| - Bhagwan Mahavir | |||||||||||||||||||||
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 The word Anekantvada is a compound of two Sanskrit words- Anekant (many foldness) and Vada (school of thoughts). Mahavir’s responses to various questions recorded in Bhagwati Sutra demonstrates a recognition that there are complex and multiple aspects to truth and reality therefore a mutually exclusive approach cannot be taken to explain such reality. Once Gautam asked Lord Mahavir,"Is the soul permanent or temporary?" Lord Mahavir replies," The soul is permanent as well as temporary. From the point of view of substance (Dravya) it is permanent and from the point of view of its modes (paryay), it is temporary as it undergoes birth, decay and destruction." Just the same way, to understand Anekantvada, a shravika named Jayanti asked Lord Mahavir,” Of the states of slumber or awakening, which one is better?” Lord Mahavir replies, “ For some souls sleeping is better and for some the state of awakening is better. Sleeping is better for those who are engaged in sinful activities and awakening is better for those who are engaged in good activities.” Thousands of questions were asked and Lord Mahavir responses a complex and a multi faceted reality with each answers qualified from a view point. Even a Tirthankar having Keval Gyan cannot express reality completely due to limitations of language which is of human creation. Acharya Vidhyanandi provides analogy of ocean to explain the nature of truth in TATTVARTH SHLOK VARTIKA. The water from ocean contain in a pot can neither be called an ocean nor a non ocean but simply a part of the ocean. Principles of Anekantvada encourages its adherents to consider the views and believes of their rivals and opposing parties. The principles of Anekantvada also influenced Mahatma Gandhi to adopt principles of religious tolerance, Ahimsa and Satyagraha. Ways to apply Anekantvada in our daily life. 1) Be more receptive even if you don’t agree other person’s point of view at that instant. Opinion changes as we gain more experience and there is no point in being adamant about anything and everything we believe. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| SHREYANSHNATH BHAGWAN | |||||||||||||||||||||
 Shreyanshnath Bhagwan is the 11th Tirthankar of the Avsarpani kal. He was born to King Vishnuraj and Queen Vishnudevi Devi in the city of Sinhpur. He attained nirvana at Samet Shikhar and had 76 Gandhars. He took 3 bhavs after Samyak Darshan to attain moksh. The topic of his first sermon was Neerjara Bhavna. Neerjara means eradication of karma. There are 12 ways by which we can do Neerjara. The 12 types of taps/austerities are as follows-
Bahya taps are meant to discipline the sensual cravings and prepares the persons for Abhyantar taps which come next. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| JAIN CENTER OF CINCINNATI-DAYTON | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| The Diwali Program was astonishing and special thanks goes out to the performers and Zankana Bothra for organizing the programs performances, and Vikash Patni for being such a wonderful MC, he was spectacular! | |||||||||||||||||||||
| JAIN SOCIETY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| JSCF recently celebrated Mahavir Nirvan Kalyanak and Diwali function with various activities. They had started with aarti and Navkar Mantra, children then performed skits on puja and Akbar Birbal story, qawali, dance, song etc. Adults enjoyed playing garba. They also had Samivatsalya dinner. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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 Jain Digest December 2016 Edition will release soon with following interesting topics:- Power of Forgiveness - Forgiveness of Bhagwan Mahavir - Forgiveness in World Religions - Forgiveness Festivals in Various Religions - Challenges with Practicing Forgiveness - Forgiveness: Miraculous Energy for Complete Healing of Soul - Choosing forgiveness in Difficult Situations Jain Digest is mailed three times a year to 15,000 households in North America Free of any cost to members. | |||||||||||||||||||||
 Each issue of Jain Digest has been received Very well by the Jain Community of North America. We have received many compliments on the topics covered in the magazine which you can read by clicking on "Read comment" button. Please support this good cause by sponsoring a leaf just for $101.00 each. Your name will be printed on the leaf of the kalpvruksh. Please make your check payable to JAINA and mail it to: Mahesh Wadher: 4099 Shady Ridge circle, Corona, CA-92881 Please let us know, how you want your name to appear on the leaf. For further information please email to: | |||||||||||||||||||||
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 Sage Nandisen was a great ascetic and well-versed in the scriptures. He took a vow to serve monks with utmost devotion. His devotion of serving the monks was even popular in the heavens. One day, his services were openly applauded by Indra in an assembly of angels. One of the angel could not believe this and decided to test sage Nandisen.The angel gods can assume any form they desire in a moment and can reach anywhere in the wink of an eye. This god arrived at the outskirts of the village where… | |||||||||||||||||||||
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