General
IndiCorps - a tremendous opportunity to help others in need
Amit on September 2007
I just completed the Indicorps Fellowship, where I spent a year in India doing grassroots development work. The fellowship challenged me to live simply, to give without expecting anything in return, to love and serve a community as if they were my own, to reflect upon my own life and how to live consciously – all of which were principles that I felt my resonated with my Jain upbringing.
The fellowship experience was life defining - check out the website (www.indicorps.org). Even if its not the right time for you, spread the word for someone else looking for the opportunity to come to India, to do community service, and to contribute to positive change…
Ketki Sheth - ketki@indicorps.com
Please check out this video get a better feel of what we are involved in.
http://www.news.indicorps.org/magazine/content/blogcategory/16/35/
Day 10
Supreme Celibacy – UTTAM BRAHMCHARYA
External View: This means not only refraining from sexual intercourse but also includes all pleasures associated with the sense of touch, e.g. desiring for a cool breeze on a hot summer’s day or using a cushion for a hard surface. Again this dharma is practiced to keep our desires in check. The monks practice this to the highest degree with all their body, speech and mind. The householder refrains from sexual intercourse with anyone
except his or her spouse.
Internal View: Brahmacharya is derived from the words Brahma (Soul) and charya (to dwell). Nischay Brahmacharya means to dwell in your Soul. Only by residing in the Soul you are the master of the Universe. Residing outside your Soul makes you a slave to desires.
Day 9
Amit on September 2007Non-attachment – UTTAM ÄKINCHANYA
External View: This assists us in detaching from external possessions. Historically, ten possessions are listed in scriptures: land, house, silver, gold, wealth, grain, female servants, male servants, garments and utensils. Of course in today’s world, money, investments, car, and clothes are part of our possessions as well. Remaining unattached from these helps control our desires and leads to an influx of punya Karmas.
Internal View: This assists us in being unattached from our internal attachments: false belief, anger, pride, deceit, greed, laughter, liking, disliking, lamentation, fear, disgust, and
sexual desire.
Day 8
Amit on September 2007Renunciation – UTTAM TYÄG
External View: Contrary to popular belief, renouncing worldly possessions leads to a life of contentment and assists in keeping desires in check. Renunciation is done at the highest
level by monks who renounce not only the household but also their clothes. A person’s strength is measured not by the amount of wealth he accumulates but by the amount of wealth he renounces. By this measure the monks and laypeople living
balanced, Non-Possessive lives are the richest.
Internal View: Renouncing the emotions, the root cause of misery, is Nischay Uttam Tyag, which is only possible by contemplating on the true nature of the Soul.
Day 7 - Das Lakshan
Amit on September 2007Penance – UTTAM TAP
External View: This does not only mean fasting but also includes a reduced diet, restriction of certain types of foods, avoiding tasty foods, etc. The purpose of penance is to keep
desires and passions in control. Over-indulgence inevitably leads to misery. Penance leads to an influx of positive Karmas.
Internal View: Meditation prevents the rise of desires and passions in the Soul. In a deep state of meditation the desire to intake food does not arise. The first Tirthankar, Adinath Bhagwan was in such a meditative state for six months, during which he observed Nischay Uttam Tap. Only from the meditative energy from within, he went on for six months with no food.
Day 5 - Das Lakshan
Truth : (Satya)
a) If talking is not required, then do not talk. If it is required, then only use the minimum of words, and all must be absolutely true. Talking disturbs the stillness of the mind. Consider the person who lies and lives in fear of being exposed. To support one lie he has to utter a hundred more. He becomes caught up in a tangled web of lies and is seen as untrustworthy and unreliable. Lying leads to an influx of paap karma.
b) Satya comes from the word sat, which means existence. Existence is a quality of the soul. Recognizing the soul’s true nature as it really exists and taking shelter in the soul is practicing Nischay Satya Dharma.
Only human life is gifted with speech; thus, we must avoid misusing our power of speech. We should remember in our everyday lives to speak truth in its every form and at all times. All good deeds blossom from truth.
I really love the following thoughts on Integrity and our relationship with our words:
Integrity is often thought of as moral uprightness and steadfastness - making the “good” choices, doing the “right thing.” In fact, it is far more than that. It is a home, an anchor, a created and continuing commitment - a way of being and acting that shapes who you are.
In Integrity: The Bottom Line, you will discover that integrity resides in the ability to constitute yourself as your word, to be true to your principles, and ultimately, be true to yourself. Integrity is not constrained by, nor does it reside in, rules, prescriptions, or imposed demands, but rather one’s profound relationship with one’s word.
Being true to that being in the inquiry constantly putting integrity in creates an environment of freedom, power, and joy.
Day 4 - Das Lakshan
Contentment – UTTAM SHAUCH
External View: Be content with the material gains that you have accomplished thus far. Contrary to popular belief, striving for greater material wealth and pleasure will not lead to
happiness. Desire for more is a sign that we do not have all that we want. Reducing this desire and being content with what we have leads to satisfaction. Accumulating material objects merely fuels the fire of desire.
Internal View: Contentment or happiness, derived from material objects, is only perceived to be so by a Soul in a state of false belief. The fact is that material objects do not have a
quality of happiness and therefore happiness cannot be obtained from them. The perception of “enjoying” material objects is only a temporary perception. This perception rewards the Soul with only misery and nothing else. Real happiness comes from
within, as it is the Soul that possesses the quality of happiness.
YJP Conference Registration Closing!!
Back to Basics
Register NOW!!!http://yjponline.org/convention/register.asp
*All prices based on Quad Occupancy. For other arrangements, please email yjponline@gmail.com
Cool water, warm bonfire, green trees, sandy beaches… Canoeing in the Gulf of Mexico, biking through nature, swimming, hot tubs and sitting around a campfire… Old and new friends…
Das Lakshan - Day 3
Amit on September 2007Straightforwardness – UTTAM AARJAV
External View: The action of a deceitful person is to think one thing, speak something else and do something entirely different. There is no harmony in his thought, speech and
actions. Such a person loses credibility very quickly and lives in constant anxiety and fear of his deception being exposed. Being straight forward or honest oils the wheel of life. You will be seen to be reliable and trustworthy.
Internal View: Delusion about one’s identity is the root cause of unhappiness. Be straightforward to yourself and recognize your true nature. The Soul is made up of countless qualities like knowledge, happiness, effort, faith, and conduct. It has the potential to achieve omniscience (Keval Jnän) and reach a state of supreme bliss. Again, the body, the Karmas, the thoughts and all the emotions are separate from the true nature of the Soul. Dharma will one taste the true happiness that comes from within.
Das Laksan - Day 2
Modesty/Humility – UTTAM MARDAV
External View: Wealth, good looks, reputable family or intelligence often lead to pride. Pride means to believe one to be superior to others and to look down on others. By being
proud you are measuring your worth by temporary material objects. These objects will either leave you or you will be forced to leave them when you die. These eventualities will cause you unhappiness as a result of the ‘dent’ caused to your self-worth. Being humble will prevent this.
Internal View: All souls are equal, none being superior or inferior to another. In the words of Srimad Rajchandra: “Sarva Jeev Che Sidh Sum, Je Samje Te Thai – All souls are akin to the Siddha (liberated souls); those who understand this principle will achieve that state.” This view encourages you to understand your true nature. All souls have the potential to be liberated souls. The only difference between the liberated souls and those in bondage is that the former have attained liberation as a result of their “effort.” With effort, even the latter can achieve liberation.
About Jain Diaries
Jain Diaries is a blog by YJA about Peace, Compassion, and having a good time. Written and edited by youth just like you. Enjoy!