Jain Diwali: Nirvana Kalyanaka of Lord Mahavira

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Lord Mahavira Attained Nirvana (Salvation) on Diwali night. Jain community celebrates Diwali to worship Nirvana Kalyanaka of Lord Mahavira.

Mahavira, last of all twenty four Tirthankara, liberated from Pawapuri, Bihar on Kartik Krishna Amavasya. Pawapuri was called Madhyam Apapa Nagari at that time.

Mahavira, got enlightened and became omniviscent at the age of 42 in Jrimbhika village, Bihar on the bank of river Rjubalika. He eliminated all four Ghati Karma in process of Asseticism. His holiness lived and preached in the earth for 30 years after that. He has got Indrabhuti Gautama as his principal desciple alongwith ten other Ganadhara.

Lord Mahavira preached continuously and spontaneously for fourty eight hours before attaining Niravana on Diwali. He preached fifty five chapters of Punyafal Vipaka, fifty five chapters of Papafal Vipaka and thirty six chapters of Aputthabagarna alias Uttaradhyayana Sutra during these two days according to Kalpa Sutra.

There was fourteen thousands Monks and thirty six thousands Nuns in his Sangha. Indrabhuti Gautama was the head of Shramana (Monks) Sangha and Chandanvala was the head of Shramani (Nuns)Sangha of Lord Mahavira.

Indrabhuti Gautama became omniscient just after Nirvana of Lord Mahavira. Jain community observes Diwali to worship Kevala Jnyana of Indrabhuti Gautama too.

According to Kalpa Sutra, a sacred Jain text, people lighted "Dipak"(Like candle) to get earthly light. Mahavira was divine light.

Dipak also spelled as Deepak produces light. People put Deepak in series and rows. Aavali means row or line. Hence the word derived combining both Deep and Aavali was Deepavali. The word Diwali  is inherited from word Deepawali or Deepavali.

Festival of India: Dhan Teras and Diwali 
Diwali in Jaipur 

Thanks,

Jyoti Kothari

Jyoti Kothari is an author and hubber who writes about Gems and Jewelry, India, Economy, Finance, Management, Skills, Job, Employment, Food, Environment, Jainism and on many other topics.
He is proprietor, Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur, representing centuries old tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry.

Burning issue: Demolition of Jain temples

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Jain temples are representatives of our culture and tradition. Large number of old Jain temples are demolished and  reconstructed nowadays in the name of Jain architecture. Many so called Jain  Acharya and monks / nuns are being instrumental in demolishing old Jain temples in the name of Jirnoddhar.

Some instances:


1. An old Jain temple in Patna city was demolished few years back for reconstruction. a famous Jain Acharya was behind this.
2. An old Jain temple is demolished recently for new construction in Kota. A member of Shwetambar Jain community, Kota has reported that a renowned Jain Sadhwi  is instrumental to this demolition.
3. Famous Jain pilgrimage center Jeerawala Parasnath (Parshwanath) temple was demolished 5-6 years back and reconstructed with expenditures of crores of rupees.
4. An old Jain temple in Mundra, Kutchchh is also demolished and under process of reconstruction. It is reported that a Jain monk is working behind the scene.

There are many other examples of demolishing old Jain temples. Many of us believe that this is destroying our own rich culture and tradition.

Should we be silent?
Thanks,

Posted by
Jyoti Kothari

(Jyoti Kothari, Proprietor, Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is also ISO 9000 professional).

Jainism and Environment Part 1

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Jainism is not only a religion but way of life. It is art of living. A human being lives with his society and environment. Jain Agamas (Holy Books) are very conscious about preserving environment. Their thoughts surpassed that of modern environmentalists.

Jain Agamas say that a Jeeva (Soul) harms or intend to harm any one out of Raga (Craving) and Dwesha (Aversion). They have gone into the root cause of all violence. The Acharanga Sutra, first Jain Anga Sutra advocates strongly for protecting and preserving environment. It says that Pudhavi (Soil), Jala (Water), Vaau (Air), Vanassai (Vegetations) and even Teu (Fire) are living creatures and should not be destroyed or killed. The Acharanga says that these are violence.

Consumerism promotes craving. It motivates people to consume more and more whether required or not. They have even made it parameter of development. This western doctrine is the root cause of all environmental hazards in modern days. In fact, we are now at the threshold of total collapse due to consumerism culture.

Jain texts emphasize on utility (Upayoga) in place of consume (Upabhoga) rather they tend to worship the nature(Upasana). Consumerism leads to deplition of natural resources that in turn contaminate air, water, soil and other valuable natural resources. Jain texts motivate people for minimul consumption. They emphasize on Tyaga (Sacrifice).

Jain Sharavaka / Shravikas (Laymen) are preached to minimize their Bhoga (Consumerables). Jain Sadhu / Sadhwi (Monks and Nuns) are living with almost no consumables. They do not use vehicles rather travel bear foot. They do not use electricity and any modern amenities. They do not even cook or tell any one to cook for them. They do not pluck flowers and any other green vegetables for any purpose. They do not possess any earthly things. No money, no bank account, no credit cards.

All Jains including Sadhu / Sadhwi and Sharavaka / Shravikas observe Paryushan as their main Parva. They do not even eat green vegetables in those days. Traditionally they do not eat in the night (after sunset).

Jainism and Environment
Green collar job: Environment friendly way of employment
Jainism and Environment Part 2

Contd........

Posted by:
Jyoti Kothari