Jain Study Circular 2010 - 2

Quotations from scriptures:

Selections from TATTVAARTH SUTRA

Acharya Umasvati, in the ninth chapter of TATTVAARTH SUTRA, discusses the stoppage of influx (SAMVAR) and shedding (NIRJARA) of karmas.  These aspects too involve mutual interactions between soul and matter. There is one more important aspect of these interactions.  Although the animate as well as inanimate environment influence the events in the life of a worldly being a certain extent, the stoppage of influx and shedding of karma occur due to the self-endeavor of the worldly being.

Quotations From Acharya Umaswati's TATTVAARTH SUTRA

Self-control entails sensible regulation.  It should be emphasized that there is a fine line that separates self-control from mental violence of self.  If one does not have equanimity and one’s mind is not at peace, then control of activities amounts to self-directed violence.
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From Religious Books:

An interesting article by an eminent scholar of philosophy and religion, presenting Jainism in the background of larger Indian religion and culture.

By Dr. A. N. Upadhye

Man is his own master; his thoughts, words and acts have made him, and continue to make him, what he is; it is in his hands to make or mar his present or future; the great teachers of the past are his ideals to inspire him along the path of religion; and he has to struggle, with hope, on the well-trodden path of spiritual progress, following a code of moral and ascetic discipline, till he reaches the goal of spiritual emancipation or perfection.
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A comparison between Jainism and modern science.

Some Unique Features Of Jainism

Grandma: Science believes that matter and energy cannot be destroyed.  This means that matter and energy have always been in the universe.  In many events, some matter is converted into energy.  In others, some energy is converted into matter.  Thus the question of creation of the universe does not arise.
Brittany: Grandma, what does Jainism say about these things?
Grandma: Jainism says that the universe has always been there.  All things in the universe change in form but not in substance.  The universe has no beginning and no end.
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An interesting article on various aspects of vegetarianism:

Vegetarianism: An Ethical Diet for Peace and Plenty

Vegetarianism supports mental and physical health as well as spiritual cultivation.  Fruits, vegetables, pulses, nuts and milk products provide a balanced diet, which does not make our system toxic.  This is primarily because when an animal is killed, it becomes dead matter.
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Glimpses of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy:

Mahatma Gandhi: Some Quotations

Gandhi contended that the earth has enough resources to provide for human need, but not human greed.  He held, therefore, that every man, woman and child would eat adequately, clothe and shelter themselves comfortable, if there were a greater sharing of wealth in all parts of the world.
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Observations & Views:
Our readers are expected to enjoy the thought-provoking concepts presented in the following items:

Spirit Of Religion
According to Jainism, in addition to human and subhuman beings, there are one-sensed living beings that include trees and plants.  All living beings and all objects in nature have their role in the scheme of things. Jainism teaches us to live in harmony with nature.
Alien Influence On Indian Mindset
The inrush of a totally different civilization put an end to all creative work for a time and an uncritical admiration for all things Western took possession of the mind of the educated class.
Pseudo-karmas And Genetics
Biologists studied the children and grandchildren of people who had experienced these periods of famine and abundance, and found that kids and grandkids of people who went from normal eating to overeating in a single season lived shorter lives.
Some Facts About Meat
If the U.S. land now used to grow livestock feed were converted to grow grain for human consumption, we could feed an additional 400 million people.
  Futility Of War
Only through a truly ethical civilization can life take on meaning.  Only through it can mankind be saved from destruction, from its senseless and cruel wars.  It alone can bring about peace in the world.
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