Eternal Jainism in a changing world

Today was an early morning for me.

Early mornings and somehow my memory always takes me to my parents, who used to say to listen and recite Bhaktamar Stotra — A prayer dedicated to Bhagwan Adinath which is generally recommended to be chanted continuously during the Bramha Muhurat the 4 am time. It is said that the very saying of Bhaktamar Stotra gives rise to infinite possibilities and a shift in our consciousness.

The story also goes that in early 1100 years King Bhoj had locked up Acharya Manatunga for not demonstrating to him the power of Jain penance, the king had locked him under 48 locks and chains and that’s when Acharya Shri composed Bjaktamar Stotra and as he went about reciting each stotra, 48 of them , one by one a lock started breaking and he became free.

More here — https://bhaktamarmantrahealing.com/what-is-bhaktamar-stotra/#

However while my early years were spent in the beliefs and learning of Jainism, of late the past few years have been very different.

From becoming a Shiv Bhakt of Baba Bholenath and doing Somvars to bowing to Lord Vishnu and doing Ekadashis or succumbing & praying to the power of Sankat Mochan Hanuman on Saturdays, I have done all and experienced tremendous bliss from all. Bowing to Lord Ganesha is a practice that all of India follows and praying to My Kuldevi Mata Ambe Maa & the Devis during Navratri and other days has become a practice that is followed by so many and I am no exception.

The stories of miracles from these Gods and Goddesses leave me with a sense of amazement and my faith has over the years in a greater power has becomes stronger and stronger.

However today was a different day & while hearing the Bhaktamar Stotra and I was remembering the power & often solace it gave us– infact my father used to recite it every day — every morning, without fail.

Today a thought came, as to why the stories of Jainism & the power of Jain mantras and Tirthankaras are not spoken about well and more enough.

Does Jainism need a “ re branding “ for lack of a better word, should more awareness be created, about its origins and history and especially to the generations coming.

Jainism is one of the oldest religions & when you hear that Dana White the UFC President advocating “ 72 hour water fast “ its nothing but Aatham Tap which Jains all over the world practice especially during Paryushan. Or When you hear about diets which advocate intermittent fasting or eating before 7 PM or eating less then what you can — they are traits that Jainism suggests in Choviyaar or Unnondri Tap or Naukashi.

It would not be too far-fetched to think that even Veganism could have taken a page out of the book of Jainism.

My original post /thought was that Jainism needs a relift / evolution and it needs to have stories of miracles and successes that will draw more and more people towards the power of being and living as a Jain

However the more I read and was trying to understand Jainism — you realize that “ In Jainism we pray to no idols, believe that Nature created and maintains the universe & we keep faith and pray “ not for getting material things “ but rather to liberate us from material things and desires and set us on the path for Moksha, especially from the cycle of birth and death.

Navkar Mantra the most common prayer for Jains asks for nothing in return — It center's around recognizing and bowing to those who have already been liberated or on the path to Moksha -

Namo Arihantanam — I bow down to all Arihantas.

Namo Siddhanam — I bow down to all Siddhas.

Namo Ayariyanam — I bow down to all Acharyas.

Namo Uvajjhayanam — I bow down to Upadhyayas.

Namo Loe Savvasahunam — I bow down to all the Sadhus and Sadhvis.

The meaning goes as — Arihantas are those blessed souls who have successfully shed off all the karmas, which blur the potency of the soul. Siddhas are those souls who have achieved the final liberation and have attained a body less state of pure bliss. Acharyas are those merciful souls who teach us about the path to salvation and Upadhyayas and Sadhus and Sadhvis are those saints who are themselves on the path to salvation and are striving for the liberation.

So when Gurudev Rakeshbhai says “ Let your outer religious activities go on. But for spiritual progress, view your thoughts, check your beliefs & catch your wrong understanding.

& then the more you understand, the more you realise that Jainism is to leave things and only when you are ready will you leave things and move in the right direction

PS : I am no expert or even a student of Jainism — I pray and will continue to pray to all Gods and Devis including Jain Tirthankaras. My exploration in this journey is an ongoing one and often leads me to ask questions to myself and these are often answers to myself.

Source & more at : https://jainworld.com/