It is the tenth and last day of Paryushan Parv or Dash Lakshan Dharm.
Brahmacharya means Celibacy; This means not only refraining from sexual intercourse but also includes all pleasures associated with the sense of touch, e.g. a cool breeze on a hot summers day or using a cushion for a hard surface. Again this dharma is practiced to keep our desires in check.
Brahmacharya is derived from the word Brahma - soul and charya to dwell. Brahmacharya means to dwell in your soul. Only by residing in the soul. Only by residing in the soul are you the master of the Universe. Residing outside your soul makes you a slave to desires.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Uttam Akinchan (Supreme Non-attachment)
It is the ninth day of Paryushan Parv or Dash Lakshan Dharm.
Akinchan means Non-attachment; This assists us in detaching from external possessions. Historically ten possession are listed in our scriptures: "land, house, silver, gold, wealth, grain, female servants, male servants, garments and utensils" Remaining unattached from these helps
control our desires and leads to an influx of punya karmas.
This assists us in being unattached from our internal attachments: false belief, anger pride, deceit, greed, laughter, liking, disliking, lamentation, fear, disgust, sexual desire. Ridding the soul of these leads to its purification.
Akinchan means Non-attachment; This assists us in detaching from external possessions. Historically ten possession are listed in our scriptures: "land, house, silver, gold, wealth, grain, female servants, male servants, garments and utensils" Remaining unattached from these helps
control our desires and leads to an influx of punya karmas.
This assists us in being unattached from our internal attachments: false belief, anger pride, deceit, greed, laughter, liking, disliking, lamentation, fear, disgust, sexual desire. Ridding the soul of these leads to its purification.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Uttam Tyag (Supreme Renunciation)
It is the eigth day of Paryushan Parv or Dash Lakshan Dharm.
Tyag means Renunciation; Contrary to popular belief, renouncing worldly possessions leads to a life of contentment and assists in keeping desires in check. Controlling desires lead to an influx of punya karma. Renunciation is done at the highest level by our 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 our monks are the richest. Renouncing the emotions, the root cause of misery, is Uttam Tyag, which is only possible by contemplating on the true nature of the soul.
Tyag means Renunciation; Contrary to popular belief, renouncing worldly possessions leads to a life of contentment and assists in keeping desires in check. Controlling desires lead to an influx of punya karma. Renunciation is done at the highest level by our 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 our monks are the richest. Renouncing the emotions, the root cause of misery, is Uttam Tyag, which is only possible by contemplating on the true nature of the soul.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Uttam Tap (Supreme Penance)
It is the seventh day of Paryushan Parv or Dash Lakshan Dharm.
Tap means Penance; This does not only mean fasting but also includes a reduce 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 inevitable leads to misery. Penance leads to an influx of punya karmas. 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. Our first Tirthankara, Adinath Bhagwan was in such a meditative state for six months. The only food he consumed during these six months was the happiness from within.
Tap means Penance; This does not only mean fasting but also includes a reduce 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 inevitable leads to misery. Penance leads to an influx of punya karmas. 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. Our first Tirthankara, Adinath Bhagwan was in such a meditative state for six months. The only food he consumed during these six months was the happiness from within.
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