Tattvartha Sutra

WE are living in times where it's becoming increasingly important for each one of us to do better, to be better than ourselves in multidisciplinary ways. We are living in times where what was once a process of becoming greater is now being used as a weapon for ruthless expansion of one's faith : to exterminate pluralism, diversity and people with different beliefs. In such times, in an anthology of his speeches published as the September-1997 third edition of "Pavan-Pravachan", the great worshipper of humanitarian values Acarya Vidyasagar asserts in his mediation on  The Sanctity Of Jainism And Its Purpose In Our Lives , that the expansion of one's self is the most cardinal action for a successful life and one should give up the compulsive need of forceful expansion of their faith. As a religious figure advocating for communal harmony and peaceful existence, he calls upon the strategy to become better than ourselves by celebrating the pri...

Acarya Vidyasagar  (born October 10, 1946), in the erstwhile British India, is not only the most celebrated leader of Jain spirituality of our times but also the most introspective one — his discourses, even though more general than specific to the common lives, often tend to search the intricate depths of the purpose of religion in life. In one of his speeches published in the September-1997 third edition of " Pavan Pravachan " on the occasion of Chaturmas of three of his prominent disciples in Bhopal, India, the Acarya talks about religion as a science of self upliftment. "Out of many religions existent in the world today, there’s one religion that shows way to take ourselves closer to greatness from affliction and that religion is Jainism. The principles of Jainism emphasize upon placing your personal upliftment first, than promotion of your faith for its expansion." The sky-clad Acarya further enlists the need of putting your own spiritual elevatio...

JAINISM and Hinduism are two peas in a pod. Two of the most remarkable religions, refined along the same lines of dharmic principles, followed by millions around the world. Each having its own theory of origin, its own set of doctrines, metaphysical ideology and practices. Yet so similar on the outside. Over centuries of  evolving together they have grown so similar to each other that even the Supreme Court of India could legally recognize Jainism as a distinct religion in the year 2006. Read How Jainism got its own identity separate from Hinduism : How Jainism Got Recognised As An Independent Religion This comparative meditation dives into the differences in the philosophies, practices and evolution of Jainism and Hinduism with respect to each other. Navigate to : Differences In Philosophies Differences In Practices Differences In Evolution Diffrences In The Philosophies Of Jainism And Hinduism 1.   Jainism doesn't believe in God as the creat...

Introduction Jainism and Hinduism, two of the oldest world religions embraced by mass of the same land, existing in parallel, in peace, since time immemorial. During their theological evaluation it's only natural to find cross section, similarity, correlation and also difference, rejection, and juxtaposition between the two philosophical ideologies. After all, they have literally survived millenniums, successfully, together and yet maintained their distinct identities and uniqueness. What Is The Theory Of Karma? One of the pivotal doctrines in both Hinduism and Jainism, which supports most of their metaphysical, cosmological, and philosophical ideas is the theory of karma. Karma (Sanskrit: कर्म, Pali: kamma) means action, work or deed. In layman's terms it can be understood as a principle of cause and effect, where intent and actions of an individual (cause) influence the future of that individual (effect). Good intent and good deeds contribute to ...

JAINISM'S fight for recognition as a distinct, independent religion is almost a century old. It started when during the British Raj the Viceroy and Governor General of India, Lord Minto, under a reformist movement, decided to give the religious minorities a proper representation in the central legislature. In this regard, the then president of the Bharatvarshiya Digamber Jain Sabha, Seth Manek Chand Hirachand wrote a petition for the inclusion of the Jain community for representation in the council separately from Hinduism and Buddhism. In his reply dated October 15th, 1909 to this petition, the Secretary to the Government of Bombay stated, "I am directed to inform you that a number of seats have been reserved for representation of minorities by nomination and that in allotting them, the claim of the important Jain Community will receive full consideration." The 97 year long conquest for independent recognition came to an end when finally, in year 2006,...

THE work that you do takes on a life of its own as it benefits the lives of others. Each positive effort you make continues to live and expand in influence. Even after you have moved on to something else, what you do to make a difference keeps on making a difference. The song lives on in the hearts of those who hear it, long after the singer is finished. Kindness you offer, gives birth to more kindness. The love you give, enables more and more love. All of life is interconnected. Once your words are uttered, once your actions are taken, they begin spreading through the connections. Life expands, amplifies, widens the impact of the way you choose to live. Choose goodness, truth, love, peace, and your influence lifts the world in ways you cannot imagine. Visualise your actions cascading through the miles, through lives, over centuries. Make every choice worthy of the lasting, widespread influence it will have as it fans out through all of life. What takes much out ...

IT has always been a mystery for our Hindu colleagues, friends or acquaintances of any kind to know how and why Jains celebrate Diwali. We have all been asked at least once if we celebrate Diwali at all, haven't we? Thanks to our team, the mystery has been unfolded! Feel free to share this article explaining in laymen language the significance of Diwali in Jainism. Known as the festival of lights, Diwali is the one of the most popular Indian festivals celebrated by people all around the globe. The word 'Diwali' is a refined version of the word 'Deepawali' which in turn has been doctored from a Sanskrit word 'Deepalikaya'. The oldest reference to 'Deepalikaya' is found in an ancient text  'Harivamsa Purana'  written by a celebrated Jain author and  Acarya Jinsena . Which literally translates to "the Pavanagari was illluminated by lamps to mark the occasion. Since that time, the people of Bharat celebrate the fes...