Shree Jain Svetamber Derawasi Sangh Mombasa
e-Newsletter November 2015 Jai Jinendra & Pranaam Welcome to the November e-Newsletter dedicated to Diwali and New Year celebrations. In the following pages, the readers will find out the significance of Diwali and New Year to Jains, and why we should not do fireworks. Also, read about a tap not done since 2500 years ago by Bhagwan Mahavir. See beautiful photographs of Palitana. Diwali is associated with giving gifts—we can also give gift or prabhavna of Jain religion ! Please send your children to Pathshala, come to the temple regularly, discuss Jain religion with friends & family, and email this newsletter to your contacts to create awareness. Also, come to the Derasar for all the Diwali programmes highlighted below—the new year’s gathering is very serene and the mangalik recital is inspiring.
We wish all readers Shubh Diwali and Nutan varsh na abhinandan . All views expressed in the articles are those of the writers and not necessarily of the Sangh. Editorial Team.
Important Dates Chopda Poojan
Wednesday 11th November 2015 at 8.10 pm
New Year Get together
Thursday 12th November 2015 at 7.25am
Gnan Pacham
Monday 16th November 2015
Kartaki Poonam
Wednesday 25th November 2015
INDEX Diwali
Page 2
Updhan Tap
Page 8
New Year
Page 3
Water Dam Project
Page 9
Gyan Pachami
Page 3
Ayembil Oli
Page 10
Festival of Lights or Crackers ?
Page 4
Readers Q & A
Page 11, 12
Kartaki Poonam
Page 5
M M Shah & M V Shah Academy
Page 13
Pathshala News
Page 6
List of Scholarship Sponsors
Page 14
Gunratna Samvatsar Tap
Page 7, 8
1 SJSDS Newsletter November 2015
Diwäli Diwäli is the most important festival in India. For Jains, Diwäli marks the anniversary of the attainment of Moksha by Mahävirswami in 527 BC. The festival falls on the last day of the month of Ashvin, the end of the year in the Indian calendar. But the celebration starts in the early morning of the previous day as Lord Mahävir commenced his last sermon (final discourse known as Uttarädhyayan), which lasted until the night of Diwäli. At midnight, he soul left his body and attained liberation, Moksha. Eighteen kings of northern India were present in his audience at the time of His final sermon. They decided that the light of their master’s knowledge should be kept alive symbolically by lighting of lamps. Hence it is called Deepävali or Diwäli, (Deep means a lamp and avail means series or multiple). But the light of Lord Mahävir’s knowledge cannot be kept alive by just lighting the lamps. That is an external approach. Realistically, we should light up our internal lamps - awaken our inner vision by practicing the path preached by Lord Mahävir. As a traditional Diwäli lamp needs a clay bowl, oil, and cotton wick. The inner lamp needs the right faith, right knowledge, right conduct and right Tap(austerity). External lamps needs oxygen while internal lamp needs self-effort. The resolution to adopt the practice of good conduct is the way to celebrate the Diwäli. Some fast for two days as Lord Mahävir did. Some people recite “Shri Mahävir Swami Sarvajnäya Namah” on every bead of the rosary (108 beads in one rosary) first followed by 19 rosaries of reciting “Shri Mahävir Swami Päragatäya Namah” on each bead. In brief, Diwäli is for enhancing the spiritual wealth. From a social aspect it is celebrated in traditional Indian fashion by greeting and offering sweets to family, friends and neighbours. Jain businessmen would close their accounts for the year and perform a Chopda Poojan for the new account books. It is a day for everyone not only to reconcile one's financial books but also the spiritual books. People should pray to forgive us for all the mistakes this past year and to give the wisdom and strength to not make them the next year.
Chopda Poojan will held at the Derasar on 11th November 2015 at 8.10pm. Please bring along a kalash, a red ball pen and a new accounts book / ledger only. Therefore Deepavali for Jains is quite different to the way others celebrate it.
Jains do not explode fire crackers,
They do not believe in extravagant spending on Dipavalee festival,
They believe in making donations to charity,
Do Chopda Poojan, also called accounts squaring or balancing merits and demerits.
Jains avoid colossal violence,
They observe fast,
They worship the Tirthanakaras’ images,
They decorate the Jina temples,
They observe Jaaps,
And businessmen keep their shutters closed !
Kalash symbolising prosperity and auspiciousness
2 SJSDS Newsletter November 2015
New Year Lord Mahävir’s chief disciple, Indrabhuti Gautam, had not been able to overcome his attachment to his master and that prevented him from achieving Kevaljnän. The barrier was only broken after a period of grief over his master’s Nirvän. He at last managed to achieve the highest degree of non-attachment, which enabled him to attain the stage of omniscience, the full enlightenment, in the early morning of the first day of the New Year. The Jains begin the New Year with a prayer of Guru Gautam Swämi and listen with devotion to the nine Stotras (Nav-smaran) and the auspicious Räs (epochal poem) of Gautam Swami. Some people fast for three days including New Year’s day. The real wish should be “may the whole year be filled with realistic Dharma, intellectual serenity and equanimity”.
On Thursday 12 November will be a New Year’s gathering at 7.25am where Kanchanbhai will recite the mangalik followed by an address by the Sangh Chairlady. After the Aarti and Mangal divo there will be a recital of Nav Smaran by Kachanbhai at 9am. In the evening there is a 108 diva Aarti and Mangal divo at 7.30pm.
Gnän Panchami (The holy day for worshipping knowledge) Gnän Panchamiis the name given to the celebration that takes place on the 5th day of the first month of the Indian calendar year. This day is designated for the worship of pure knowledge. On this day, the scriptures, which impart knowledge to the people, are worshipped with religious devotion by offering Väskshep (sandalwood powder). Swädhyäy, meditation, and Pratikraman are also carried out on this day. Moreover, the books preserved in the religious libraries are cleaned and refurbished as may be necessary. To pay respect to educational material, notebooks, pens, pencils etc. are offered during Pujä. Many temples distribute these blank papers and pencils. On this day we worship five types of Gnans: 1) Mati-Gnan refers to the knowledge which is attained through the use of the senses and mind. 2) Shrut-Gnan refers to the knowledge which is acquired by understanding of words, writing or gestures. 3) Avadhi-Gnan: The soul through Avadhi-Jnan can see the material things far beyond our normal eyes can see without the help of senses or mind. 4) Manah Paryay-Gnan: The soul through Manah Paryay-Jnan can know the mental thoughts of others without the help of senses and mind. 5) Keval-Gnan: The soul has the power to know what is happening now, what happened in the past, and what will happen in the future in the whole universe at the same time.
On Monday 16th November 2015, all the 45 Agams will be displayed with beautiful Gahulis. There will Dev Vandan at 10 am, evening Pratikraman, and Gnan Bhakti at 8pm.
Please do Vaskep ( sandal wood) pooja on religious books on display at the deraser : Take some vaskep in your right hand: Put it on the top right corner and say Mati-Gnan , then the bottom right corner and say
Shrut-Gnan , then bottom left corner and say ) Avadhi-Gnan, Then top left corner and say Manah Paryay-Gnan. Finally in the middle and say Keval-Gnan.
3 SJSDS Newsletter November 2015
A Festival of Lights or Crackers ? The main pillar of Jain religion is NON—VIOLENCE and fireworks creates a lot of violence to all beings. This year you will probably receive many posters similar to below ones on social media asking us to refrain from fireworks. Fireworks create :
Air pollution which is harmful to both human beings and animals.
Noise pollution— loud noises scare and frighten animals and birds and also young human babies.
Moral issues as many firecrackers are made using child labour.
Unnecessary use of materials leading to environment degradation.
Waste of money which could be used for helping the needy.
Unsafe environments leading to injuries and can be fatal.
Celebrate Diwali the way it is meant to be. Illuminate your home and society. Meet people. Talk. Have a feast. Call up your parents, your friends, your relatives. Go to the temple. Stay back at home and have a good time.
From Diwali Exhibition in 2013.
4 SJSDS Newsletter November 2015
Kartaki Poonam Wednesday 25 November 2015
Kartik Poornima is an important religious day for Jains who celebrate it by visiting Palitana a Jain pilgrimage centre. Thousands of Jain pilgrims flock to the foothills of Shatrunjay hills of Palitana. The hills, which are closed to the public during the four months of Chaturmas, are thrown open for the devotees on Kartik Poornima. The first day attracts the maximum number of devotees.
Facts :
5 SJSDS Newsletter November 2015
Palitana is the largest and the greatest Jain sacred pilgrimage center in the world. There are some 3000 exquisite temples with marvellous art on shatrunjay hills built over some 900 years by generations of jains starting from 11th Century.
The palitana hills is place from where millions of souls are believed to have achieved niravana or ultimate and everlasting liberation with infinite knowledge, infinte perception, infinte energy and infinite spiritual happiness.
The first tirthankar lord adinatha or rishabhdeva has the most pronounced placement.
A jain aspires to climb to the top of mountain once in his life time The climb must begin in early morning and return descent must be completed in evening. No staying overnight.
Steps to climb : 3364, Height : 2000 feet,
Walking : 7.5 miles
Pratima or idol : 27007 , Temples : 3507
Pathshala News Guru Vandan taught by Kanchanbhai :
Pathshala children doing craftwork for Diwali. The craft work will be displayed in the Derasar over the Diwali week.
Very appropriate for Diwali Prabhavna given by a parent to the children.
6 SJSDS Newsletter November 2015
Super Brain Yoga being taught to the children by Meetaben Gudka.
Shree Hansaratna Vijayji Maharajsaheb Gunratna Samvatsar Tap
Hansaratna Vijaji M.S. , aged 49 years, has just completed another Tapascharya called the “Gunratna Samvatsar Tap” which has not been done by anyone in the past 2500 years. Gunratna Samvatsar Tap is a 480 days long tapascharya in which a person eats for only 73 days in total. The rest of the days its complete fasting. The person has to do beasna, on the days he/eats. That is eating only twice in a day. The total duration of this Tapaschrya is somewhere around 16 months. Gunratna Samvatsar Tap is one of the toughest tapascharya in the history of Jainism. The flow of the Tapaschrya goes down in the following manner. • Month 1 : Alternate days Fast • Month 2 : 2 days Fast then Beasna on the third day., then again 2 days fast and Beasna on the Sixth day, and so on. • Month 3 : 3 days Fast then Beasna on the fourth day By the end of the Tapaschrya, that is in the 16th Month the person does not eat or drink anything except water for the first 16 days, on the 17th day he/she does a Beasna and then again he/she does not eat for another 16 days. This concludes the Tapascharya. In the History of Jainism, 5 Jain Sadhus have done this fast including Lord Mahaveer who is the 24th Jain Tirthankar, and that too was 2500 years ago. In Jainism fasting holds a great deal of importance. It is done not only to increase your concentration but also to balance out the negative karma in one’s life and it takes you closer to the Ultimate attainment that is Moksh.
Shree Hansratna Vijaji Maharaj Saheb has proved once again that when a saint makes up his mind and gets blessings from his Gurus and Sashan Dev it is difficult but not impossible to do such a hard tap. The History is about to be written in bold and golden letters about “Gunratna Samvatsar Tap”. The Day of Parna was on 01st of November 2015 at the MMRDA grounds at Bandra Kurla Complex (B.K.C) .
7 SJSDS Newsletter November 2015
Updhan Tap Updhan Tap is one of the most wonderful and holy Tap in Jainism. In this Tap, the Jain follower needs to live with Sadhu /Sadhviji as one of them. This Tap runs for 45 days, if you are doing this first time, second time 35 days and third time 18 days. This Tap can only be done three times in one’s lifetime. During this Tap, one does one of the following : Two Fasts (Chhath), Fast (Upvas), one meal per day (Ekasanu), two meals per day (Biyasanu) or Ayembil. A total Jain Fast is one of the most difficult task to do as you are not allowed to have any single grain of food for at least 36 hours. You can only drink boiled water from sun rise to sun set. Along with the Fast, they have to do some more Dharma Kriyas such as Pratikaman twice a day, vandana and recitations. They need to wake up by 3:30AM and can sleep by 10:00PM.
Our Sangh trustee, Mr Somchandbhai Mulji Shah, is currently in India doing this tap. 8 SJSDS Newsletter November 2015
Water Dam Project On completion of the Varsi Tap by Chandanben and Anjuben earlier this year, a grand Parna Mhotsav of Poojans, Bhakti and Bhojan was organized by the families and friends of the tapasvis. As Chandanben had taken a vow not to accept any appreciative gifts an ANUKAMPA DAN fund was launched to help the less fortunate and needy people. A decision was arrived at by the Varsi Tap Parna Committee to use the funds to construct a water retaining Dam or Water Pan in the semi- arid regions of Mariakani-Bamba area where people suffer from perennial water shortages. A Water dam or pan is a cost effective system of collecting the rain water in rainy season and storing it in large excavated land area dug several feet down in low lying areas where the rain water normally runs as seasonal flows or rivers. Depending on the holding capacity of these dams the water collected could be used until the next rainy season. If these pans have smaller capacity they could dry up within 6 to 8 months and the people suffer in the dry season when the shortages are felt more. We were also very lucky to find a good sincere contractor in the name of M/S V.K Hirani Supplys. Mr. Vinu Hirani is a dedicated and honest social worker and for every 2 dams that he constructs for his clients, he puts one or two small pans of his own to help the animals and cattle in that area. The financial outlay for the project was very large, yet the collection made at the mahotsav amounted to 30% of the total cost for this dam project. Nevertheless with the enthusiastic guidance of Rashmibhai Chandaria, enough funds were raised to see the project to completion. On seeing the magnificent site of the dam, one anonymous donor was so impressed that he promised to provide total expense of a whole new dam and requested us to find the right location and start work immediately. Thus was how the second dam project was born. With all these developments in the Maryango sub location area we pray that in next 2 to 3 years the people living in this area will be very happy and contended lot. They will now be able to draw all the water they need by walking a very short distance. Their cattle too will get enough water nearby and they can pursue small subsistence farming around the dams with guidance from the local county agricultural officers. The Varsi Tap Parna committee is extremely happy and feels blessed by your enthusiastic support in accepting our request to construct a rain water storage Dam (Pan) under the banner of Shree Jain Shvetamber Derawasi Sangh. We are extremely pleased to inform you that both the dam projects are now complete and as soon as the water gets filled in we shall communicate with you and together we shall have a grand opening ceremony.
Condensed from report sent by Rashmibhai Chandaria
9 SJSDS Newsletter November 2015
Ayembil Oli - 19th October to 27th October Sponsored by : Vaghjibhai Velji Gudka Parivar
In memory of Late Jayaben Vaghjibhai Gudka and Late Vasantiben Dhiresh Gudka
In ayembil one does not take food containing or prepared with ghee, oil, curds, jaggery, sweets, sugar, spices, vegetables, fruits etc. Food is taken only once in a day time and at other times only boiled water has to be taken. In this penance an important principle is conveyed through this message,
"Life is not for eating, but food is taken to maintain the life�. This time more than 30 people did Ayembil on all 9 days. Next chance to do Ayembil Oli will be in March / April 2016. 10 SJSDS Newsletter November 2015
Reader’s Question & Answer Being an atheist, I do not believe in the concept of a soul. How can it be proved, with tangible evidence, that there is a soul in every living thing? Response from Shrutiben Malde, Member of the Education Team of Institute of Jainology, UK. Dictionary.com defines atheist as a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings. For Jains, a supreme being is one who has annihilated all karmas and is a pure soul (Siddha), or one who has annihilated karmas that are defiling the qualities of the soul (Arihant). Tirthankar and Kevali are synonyms of Arihant and they are embodied souls that are only left with karmas that are not destroying the qualities of the soul, known as aghatiya karmas. These supreme beings, after innumerable births have achieved this pure state, and they have shown us the path to become like them. Hence, they are revered by the Jains. Jain philosophy and practice fundamentally rests on the belief of existence of soul, and its purification is the goal. Jains also believe in plurality of souls which are never found in its pure form initially, like gold is never found in the pure form but always in the form of ore. Or sea water which is always salty and you may ask ‘who put the salt in the sea?’ One will have to accept that sea water is salty and that’s the way it is! The impurity that binds with the soul is karma, which is classed as matter in Jainism. Impure or bound souls, commonly referred to as living beings are found in numerous forms. One way of classifying is by the number of senses they possess. Life with one sense includes simple microscopic bacteria, plants, earth, wind, fire and water. Beings with two senses are very simple organisms with touch and taste— like worms and termites. Beings with three senses have the senses of touch, taste and smell— like insects like ants, beetles and moths. Beings with four senses have the senses of touch, taste, smell and sight—like wasps, locusts and scorpions. Beings with five senses have the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing. There are four classes of these beings, infernal, higher animals including all non-human animals above insects, heavenly beings and human beings. Human beings are considered highest forms of lives and are capable of obtaining liberation following purification of the soul. The souls of lower life forms do not possess a developed mind which can lead them to liberation. Although soul is bound with karmic matter, the two have entirely different qualities. Hence to identify a substance, one needs to know its inherent qualities for differentiation. For example, if you have two white powders, salt and sugar, you will identify salt from its ‘saltiness’ and sugar from ‘sweetness’, because these are their qualities which you cannot take away from the substance. Likewise, soul is the life-force or consciousness and its qualities are infinite knowledge, bliss and energy. These cannot be separated from the soul and these qualities unfortunately are not tangible qualities. Soul has no colour, shape, size, smell or cannot be heard. On the other hand matter has colour, shape, size and often can be heard. So soul is not perceptible to the senses but matter is. Although karma is classified as matter, it is imperceptible because it is so subtle that it cannot be perceived even with instruments. Soul is an experiential entity which cannot be grasped with our five senses and therein lies our problem! Voluminous scriptures and texts are written to explain this and meditation is the only means to experience the soul. It is actually a feeling that cannot be tangibly put into words. Hence, tangible evidence as one would provide to prove a scientific theory may be difficult as all scientific proofs rely on the senses to grasp the evidence. Before one can experience the soul, one can only deduce the existence of soul through analogies and inferences. 11 SJSDS Newsletter November 2015
To help one comprehend the concept of soul, let us compare a life form, a person, an animal, an insect or a plant when it is alive and dead. How are they different? The dead is ‘lifeless’. So what has departed? What is gone? It is the consciousness or soul. And that person, animal, insect or plant will not respond as it did when alive, like move or grow, although the body and senses are physically intact. The soul can depart from an airtight container, and will not show up like smoke or smell like vapour as it is not matter and does not possess physical properties that one can perceive with senses as one can witness a bee or a fly die in a closed container. Jainism believes in reincarnation, and there are certain people who remember their previous births. This can only be possible if there was such a thing as soul or consciousness which left one body and was born in another. Otherwise how else could one remember a previous life? Shrimad Rajchandra has addressed this doubt regarding existence of the soul in his Atma Siddhi Shastra, ‘The six fundamental truths’, of which the first is ‘Soul exists’. The inferences for the existence of the soul is also addressed in the Ganadharvad by Acharya Vijay Bhuvanbhanusuriji.
Our only ‘bodily instruments’ for identifying any proof are our senses, each one of which can only grasp one subject. So what collates and give a meaning to what the senses have grasped? In Atma Siddhi Shastra, verse 52 states: Chhe Indriy Pratyekane, Nij Nij Vishayanun Jnàn; Pànch Indrinà Vishayanun, Pan Ātmàne Bhàn. Translated: Each sense has the knowledge of its own subject matter; but soul knows the subject matters of all five senses. (52) The mind which is considered as a ‘sixth sense’ is a great intellectual organ, but it is not the soul. The mind can reason or think logically, but this intellect is at a much lower level compared to the omniscience (infinite knowledge) of the pure soul, which is its natural quality. At the mundane level, the soul is marred by karmas, and paradoxically, the mind feels superior and questions the existence of the soul! Atma Siddhi Shastra, verse 58 states: Ātmni Shankà Kare, Ātmà Pote Āp; Shankàno Karnàr Te, Acharaj Eh Amàp. Translated : The (impure) soul itself happens to be sceptical of the soul; it is immensely amazing that it is the doubter of itself! The pure soul or the Self is the consciousness, and knowledge is its very essence. In Jainism, it is only the soul that can know itself. [as well as all others]. This can be achieved through pacifying the mind and by rigorous practice of meditation. Above all, to succeed in anything, right faith, right knowledge and right action is the key.
In this case, having that initial faith that soul exists, and then understanding or knowing the nature and qualities of the soul, will give positive results in practice.
12 SJSDS Newsletter November 2015
M M Shah & M V Shah Academy
In the special General Meeting on Thursday 29th October 2015, it was agreed that a multi-purpose hall to be built at the school and to accept the donation of Kshs 8 million from Premchandbhai Malde. The hall will be named “Damuben Premchand Malde Multi-Purpose Hall”. The hall will be used for various activities including indoor games (like Badminton, table tennis, Taekwondo), as an exam hall, for music & drama, staff meetings & training, parents meetings, exhibitions etc. The late Mrs Damuben Premchand was the first and only lady chairperson of the Jain Education Board and has given many years of service to the Sangh.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Jain Education Board reports with pleasure that now there will be 42 students from Children’s homes studying at the school on scholarship basis. There are still 8 more sponsors required—the limit is 50 children from homes. The new sponsors are Shantaben Premchand Kachra ( 5 Students ), and the following sponsors from London—Mrs Sunitaben Mahesh Zaverchand Shah, Yashil & Raahil Mehul Kamdar, Manishbhai Kamdar and Malcolm Webber ( for 5 years ). Full list of sponsors is on the next page.
Mr Piyush Shah is ‘Nagar Sanghchalak’ for Hindi Swayamsevak Sangh and Hindu Sevika Samiti or popularly known as Shaka. Re-construction of the collapsed back wall is nearly complete. Above— the stone pitching to protect the concrete wall .
They held Vijya Dashmi Utsav at the school on Sunday 1st November. Every Saturday there is a Shaka class from 5pm to 6.15pm on the school grounds for the males. They play various traditional Indian games and perform various Shaka activities. Many of our Jain Sangh members are active members— Somchandbhai Mulji Shah, Premchandbhai Kachra, Jayendrabhai Raichand Gudka.
13 SJSDS Newsletter November 2015
List of Sponsors for 2016 Sponsors who renewed Family of Late Mr. Amritlal Punjabhai Gudka & Mrs. Kundanben Amritlal Gudka Mrs. Chandramaniben Raichand Shah Mr. Chuni Devshi Shah Mr. Jayendra Raichand Shah ( 5 Students ) Family of Late Mr. Keshavlal Rupshi Shah Mr. Ketan Shantilal Shah Kikambala Group ( 2 Students ) Mr. Kirti Ramniklal Shah Mr. Lalit Doshi in memory of Late Mrs Lilavanti Popatlal Doshi Mr. Mukesh Shantilal Malde in memory of Late Mrs. Ratanben Shantilal Malde Mr. Prabhulal Narshi Samat Shah Mr. Ramesh Devchand Shah Mrs. Suryaben Chandrakant Meghji Parivar
New Sponsors 1973 - M M Shah Primary Class 7 Group Mrs Harsha Mahesh Chandaria Mrs Indiraben Jayantilal Shah Family of Late Mr Jayantilal Narshi Shah Kantilal Tarachand Sanghrajka & Family Karania Foundation, Nairobi Mrs Kasturben Lalji Shah in memory of Late Snehal Vimal Lalji Shah c/o Adarsh Trading Mr Malcolm Webber, London
Mr Manishbhai Kamdar, London Mrs Muktaben Mansukhlal Shah Mzuri Sweets Ltd ( 2 Students ) Mr Rohit Zaverchand Chandaria Mrs Sadhanaben Bhogilal Doshi Mrs Shantaben Premchand Kachra ( 5 students ) Simran & Sonali Diviyesh Maganlal Shah, London Mrs Sunita Mahesh Zaverchand Shah, London
Yashil & Raahil Mehul Kamdar, London
Anonymous ( 2 Students ) 14 SJSDS Newsletter November 2015