Dr. Mahima Sethia
Jaipur
►Chaturdashi - Development is incomplete without Discipline and Conduct
Acharya Mahapragya addressing the people
Jaipur, 17 July 2008
Letter of conduct written by First Acharya of Terapanth, Acharya Bhikshu is recited on every chaturdashi (14th day of each part of Hindu calendar month) by Terapanth’s each monk and nun and vows in that are repeated. On the occasion of chaturdashi prior to the starting of chaturmas, 100 monks & nuns collectively read the letter of conduct before the Acharya Mahapragya and Yuvacharya Mahashraman in the morning pravachan session.
Acharya Mahapragya while stressing on the importance of conduct and discipline in current prospects said that today world is living in such a dilemma that can’t be explained. At religious place, man is said to limit its materiality wishes, takes vows but when the same person go to home or to market, he will be said, earn as much as you can. Man hears one hour about limitations and vows implementations and for 12 hours discussed about the economic growth. New generation is engaged in field of M.B.A., C.A., Engineer etc. In this scenario it is difficult to talk about limitations.
Bhagwan Mahavira has given the aparigraha concept for Jain ascetics and said though clothes etc. are the necessity but don’t get attached with them also. Acharya Bhikshu has also said – Terapanth will remain be in existence till the ascetics will not have its own place & will not start collecting things. Today it is very difficult for an ascetic to keep unaffected from the prevailing society’s comfort attitude. Because body asked for comfortability, psyche demands comfortability but still then “Lekh Patra” (Letter of vow) is recited in Terapanth in fourth quarter of late night regularly. This is a virtue that we have to follow the rules, to live with discipline and that is the reason why luxurious life is not affecting us.” It is impossible to gain the eternal peace & pleasure by running for toasting the economic growth.
Nuns in group reciting the letter of conduct
On this occasion, Yuvacharya Mahashraman read out the letter of conduct and said that for an ascetic, discipline and conduct are the utmost in life. Dedication towards the master, tender love for the community and the knowledge gain are the basics of an ascetic life. Four small monks collectively read the Lekh Patra.
►Starting Chaturmas with Recitation of Mahamantra
Today in noon, Acharya Mahapragya and Yuvacharya Mahashraman in presence of all monks and nuns and followers, declare the starting of chaturmas by chanting the Navkar Mahamantra and other mantras. On this occasion, Acharya Mahapragya gave the special motivation to keep oneself engaged in gaining knowledge, penance, austerity and right conduct during the important time period of Chaturmas.
Audience listening to "Pravachan of Chaturmasi Pakhi" (14th day of month Assad of hindu calender - Starting of JAIN CHATURMAS)