05.09.2017 ►JAINA ►Special Newsletter: Das Lakshana Day 11 @ HereNow4U

Federation Of Jain Associations in North America

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Jai Jinendra!

Today is the last and the most important day of Das Lakshana Parva where we get to shed evils within us and seek forgiveness from all beings. Practicing Bhrahmacharya automatically fulfills other nine Dharmas. On behalf of JAINA EC and BOD, if we have knowingly or unknowingly hurt you over past year, we seek your forgiveness. Micchami Dukkadam!

JAINA will recognize Tapasvis by publishing their name and City in Newsletter and www.jaina.org home page.

Warm Regards,
Gunvant Shah
JAINA President
09-05-2017

UTTAM BRAHMACHARYA

Brahmacharya is a word with a very wide scope. It means maintaining physical purity by assuming the strict aspect of celibacy.

Brahmacharya means refraining from all pleasures associated with the sense of touch, e.g. a cool breeze on a hot summer day or using a cushion for a hard surface. The monks practice this to the highest degree with all their body, action, speech and mind.

Brahmacharya is derived from the word Brahma - Soul and Charya - to dwell. Nischay Brahmacharya means to dwell in your soul. Only by residing in the soul makes you the master of the Universe. Residing outside your soul makes you a slave to desires.

The vow of chastity is an ornament of a man and a woman both; it is a garland woven by auspicious virtues and is a gateway to heaven. Chastity is the most precious jewel of a lady. "The impenetrable fence which protects a woman is her virtue of celibacy; no other fence can safeguard her as well."

Observance of chastity keeps the body healthy and free from sickness; and it develops the mind i.e., sharpens the intelligence. All people honor a chaste person in this world. Non-observance of chastity sometimes make one suffers from many types of miseries in this world; also, he or she is destined to go to hell in the next births. An unchaste person always lives awe-stricken lest his/her immoral deeds should come to limelight.

The root of self-restraint or abstention from sensual pleasures is good conduct; and both self-restraint and good conduct are dependent on chastity. The persons who realize the need and glory of celibacy in human life come to know the significance of self-restraint and good conduct very well. The capability of sustaining the life force in the body is celibacy. It alone generates vitality, radiance and luster in the body.

QUOTE
A living being is relieved from the world by celibacy. All penances and vows are worthless without it. All bodily tortures in the absence of celibacy are of no avail; such is the opinion of Lord Jinendra.
- Poet Reidhu

SHRI DIGAMBER JAIN TEMPLE - SANGANER,RAJASTHAN

TAPASVI FROM JAIN CENTER OF NJ

Gautam Shah
45 Upvaaas

Alpesh Shah
Dharmachakra Tap

Mihir Shah
Siddhi Tap

Ankita Kothari
Shartunjay Tap

Induben Shah
Ashtapad Tap

ANUMODNA DURING PARYUSAN & DAS LAKSHANA

JAINA will recognise Tapasvis by publishing their name and City in ENewsletter and www.jaina.org.

Eligibility:
Adults (18+): 8 or more Upvas
Youths (Below 18 years): 3 or more Upvas