“People indulge in violent activities against living beings individually and collectively in many ways; discerning this, a wise man neither himself inflicts violence on these bodies, nor induces others to do so, nor approved of their doing so."

- Acharanga Sutra,Ch.1

JAINA is hosting essay competition on ‘Practicing Ahimsa In Our Daily Life’. The best article will get published in our October newsletter and at www.jaina.org. Please send your entries to competition@jaina.org by October 17, 2016.

Competition Rules:
1. Age: No bar
2. Articles should be in English language and maximum 300 words long in a word file.
3. Writing style must be clear and easy to understand.

Ajitnath Bhagwan was the second tirthankar of this Avsarpinikaal. Ajitnath Bhagwan was born to King Jitashatru and Queen Vijaya at Ayodhya. His place of Nirvaan is Sammetshikhar. His symbol is elephant. The counting of Bhav (births) starts after gaining Samyak Darshan. Ajithnath took 3 bhavs to attain liberation. The bhav in which he attained Samayak Darshan is described below. There was a king named Vimalvahan of Sushimanagar.

Once an acharya named Aridhman arrived in the town. King visits the acharaya and asks him a question. He asks,”What inspired you to take Diksa?” Acharaya narrates an incident about his life where he saw a garden full of flowers trees and life. The garden was full of flora and beauty. It was so beautiful the one could sit for hours in that garden. After a few days when the Acharaya again passed from that place, he saw that the garden was destroyed and nothing was left in it. He realized that our body is also the same and nothing will remain. Continuous life and death will give no benefit and so to stop this cycle, diksha is the only way out. King Vimalvahan attained Samyak Darshan after hearing this from Acharaya and later goes on to become our 2nd Tirthankar as Bhagwan Ajitnath.

He had 94 Gandhar and his topic of first sermon was Dharma Dhyan. He preaches about the importance of Dharma Dhyan and there are four ways by which it can be done. Namely, Agya-vichay, Apay-vichay, Vipak-vichay, Sansthan-Vichay.

Jain Center of Connecticut (JCC) celebrated Paryushan 2016 with Shree Harakh Maru of Owensboro KY. In morning swadhyay on "Chha Dhaalaa" by Pandit Daulatramji were held from Saturday Aug 27 to Monday Sept 5. In evening Bhavna followed by lectures, in simple language and with effective examples, on following subjects were well received by all members: Chha Dhravya & Nav Tatva, Anekant ane Nay, Krodh-Vijay, Nimitt-Upadan & Gunsthanak.They also conducted Bhav Pooja, Mahaveer Janma Vanchan and Traditional & in English, Samvatsari Pratikraman.

Jain Center of Northern California (JCNC) located in the heart of Silicon Valley at Milpitas, CA celebrated 8 Days of Paryushan Mahaparva and 10 Days of Das Lakshan for a total 18 days of Aaradhna in the auspicious presence of Samani Charitra Pragyaji, Samani Dr. Aagam Pragyaji, Pandit Shri Surendrabhai Shah and Dr. Shri Abhay Dagdeji who visited JCNC from India.

The temple was decorated beautifully all around with beautiful Rangolis depicting Jain beliefs and beautiful Aangis of Shwetamber Idols of Shri Aadinath Bhagwan and Shri Parshwanath Bhagwan done every evening of Paryushan! Swamivatsalya meals were organized during all 8 days of Paryushan and during Das Lakshan. There were 112 major Tapasyas (recognized as per JCNC criteria) done across all age groups including one Masakshman (30 days of consecutive Fasting), one 21 Upvas and 75 Atthai (8 Upvas).

Once Emperor Akbar was looking towards the main road from the balcony of his royal palace in Fatehpur Sikri. Meanwhile he saw a huge procession passing by, wherein at the centre a Jain laywoman (shravika) named Champa sat in splendor and attired in expensive clothes. On inquiry, the emperor came to know that the shravika had undertaken fast for 6 months during which she had taken only boiled water from sun-rise to sun-set and no other food. The Emperor was greatly surprised and on asking the shravika he came to know that it was possible because of the blessings of religious saint like Guru Hirvijaysuri…