The
purpose of jainism is to free the soul by purifying and guiding it to realise
the blissful state of the true self. This liberation of the soul is possible by
breaking the bondages (karma), attached through the cycles of birth and death
during infinite time.
TIME
: Since the beginning jain spiritual masters recognised six senses of
human beings which modern science recognised only in last century. These masters
isolated themselves from the internal weaknesses of anger, ego, greed, lust and
were non attached from materialistic world. They were called Jinas. The jain scriptures
carry the knowledge of these Jinas from generations and time.
Jain
time cycle is known as kalchakra. According to jains time ie kal is eternal and
formless. It is thought to be a wheel with 12 spokes called arcs (ages) six making
ascending arc and six making descending. In the ascending arcs ('utsarpini' -
rising era), humans gained knowledge, Progressing age, achieves stature and attains
happiness. This is the age when fantastic progress in human life is seen. While
in descending arc ('avasarpini' - declining era), they fall from great heights
to the valley of darkness. This is the age of fear, chaos and anarchy, during
these darker times 24 Jinas are born to guide the life forms from darkness to
the light to remain calm, at peace and balanced, thus attaining blissful state.
The two cycles put together, completes a rotation of the wheel of time (kalachakra),
which is known as kalpa.
They
believe the world is endless and ageless. The universe according to jainism is
mixture of elements known as substances (dravya), they are: soul, matter, mind,
space, motion, and rest. These substances can neither be created nor destroyed
and they only change their form.
Jains
divided universe into five parts, which resembles a man standing with his two
arms resting on the waist each side bent at the elbow, they are:
1.
Supreme Abode (SIDDHSILLA)
2. Upper world (URDHAVALOK)
3. Middle world (MADHYALOK)
4. Nether world (ADHOLOK)
and
5. The Base (NIGODA)
1. The Supreme Abode - The
head
2. Upper world - Chest
3. Middle world - waist
4. Nether world - Knees
5. The base - Feet
ADHOLOK:
The
lower world is divided into seven bands. Each one a little more darker than previous
starting from top the brightest and bottom one is the darkest.
MADHYALOK:
The
middle world is made up of concentric continents separated by seas. Center of
this is known as Jambudvipa. Presence of human beings is only in two and a half
continents. Jainism is dominant only in Jambudvipa because that’s the only place
where freedom of soul and salvation is possible.
URDHAYALOK:
Is
the heaven divided into two parts 1.For any soul, 2.For souls of those who are
close to enlightenment.
SIDDHSILLA:
At
the top of the universe is Siddhsila. (The shape of full moon the nest of the
liberated soul)
JIVA
AND AJIVA:
All
the existing entities in the universe are categorised into two types.
Jiva
and Ajiva . Jiva is all living being and Ajiva is without life. The soul rides
on the chariot of the body. The body has six senses namely
1.
VISION,
2. SPEECH,
3. HEAR,
4. TOUCH,
5.
TASTE,
6. THINK
Through
the 6 senses,the SOUL is attached to the material world & become a prisoner of
the passions. Out of this materialistic wants begins the cycles of pain and suffering.
This creates a bondage (karma) for the soul.
Karma:
The
true nature of soul is being pure, free & blissful. But the effect of the material
world & chain of birth & death known as karma, ties one down to the age of darkness.
These karmas can be annihilated (cut) by practicing the code of conduct, preached
by jinas. They are known as great 5 vows,
1.
Ahimsa: - Non violence
2 Satya: - Speak and live truthfully
3 Asteya: - abstain from stealing
4 Brahmacharya: - away from adultery
and lust.
5 Aparigraha: - limit the possessions and not be a hoarderer
When
an individual follows a code of conduct and succeeds in breaking the karma he
moves to one of the five stages mentioned in Navkar Mantra before being liberated.They
are:-
*
'Sadhus' (Ascetics)
* 'Upadhya' (teacher
monks)
* 'Acharyas' (Masters)
* 'Arihantas' (Supreme Human beings)
* 'Sidhas' (Liberated Souls)
Arihantas
are those who have attained Keval Gyan and they preach the principles,philosophy
and path to liberation. Today in absence of Arihantas, Ascetics provides the spiritual
guidance.
The
spiritual path sits on a stool whose 3 legs are:
Right
perception (samyak darshana)
Right
knowledge (samyak gyan)
Right
conduct (samyak charitrya)
Right
perception awakens conscious state and shows the universal
truth.
Right knowledge leads an individual
to see things around him in balanced state of mind, thus guides to take the right
action.
Right
conduct puts the individual on path of freedom from karmas.
Absence of any of this does not let a person attain
Moksha (Liberation).
