We can all become Rishabh Devas and Mahaviras, octogenarian Jain nun GYANMATI MATAJI says to SONAL SRIVASTAVA in Mangi Tungi, Maharashtra
Are women more spiritual than men?
■ It is women who give birth to tirthankaras, devas such as Indras have worshipped mothers. Jain acharyas have praised mothers. Rishabh Deva had 101 sons and two daughters; first he gave vidya,education, to Brahmi Sundari and then his sons.This indicates how great woman power is.Women have always had their garima,mahima, dignity and glory. It’s a woman who gives birth to a man.However,it doesn’t mean that men are not important, both are equally important in grihastha jivan, a householder’s life and in perpetuating creation.
Whether it is politics or Jain religion,women have held prominent positions. The only thing is, in Digambar Jain tradition, sanhnan, physical power, the path of moksha, is open only to men.There are six types of sanhnan in Jain tradition; highest sanhanan is vajravrishabhnarach sanhnan (it’s the strongest body,the bones become as strong as the hardest stone and internal light is intense). It can only be found in men,but in this pancham kaal, modern times, it is not there in men. So there is no moksha.However,moksha marg is open. Nobody can get moksha in this birth in aryakhand of Bharat kshetra. It is possible in videha kshetra, faraway land.
Why isn’t moksha possible in Bharat kshetra?
■ This is a natural order of things which has been in place from anadi kaal or beginning of time.There is no creator in Jain Dharma; creation has been explained by tirthankaras. Natural systems have been in place from time immemorial. The first tirthankara, Rishabh Deva, is called Brahma by acharyas.However according to Jain principles, he is not the creator.He gave teachings on natural order.There is no creator in Jainism.Yours and my Atman is independent, it is anadi, eternal.A tirthankara helps us understand natural order. It’s a very subtle subject. Atman in all jivas is independent; it is not a part of Parmatman. With our own purusharth, effort,we can become Parmatman. In vedic granthas atman is an ansh or part of Parmatman.This is a basic difference between vedic and Jain tradition.Rishabh Dev and Mahavira were like us only,they did purusharth, and became tirthankaras; if we do enough purusharth,we can also become like them.
Why is it said that women cannot attain moksha in Digambar Jain tradition?
■ The most important sanhnan cannot be attained in the context of womanhood. It can only be attained by a man.Women cannot live without clothes.With clothes,complete aparigraha or nonpossession is not possible. Even if you own two saris, you have to wash them,dry them.So there cannot be complete aparigraha. Until there is parigraha or sense of possession, there cannot be moksha. Women are leaders in every field, but according to tradition, they cannot live a life of a naked muni. In Jain culture,women become Indranis,goddesses and carry idols of tirthanakaras (at panchakalyanak), they can also do abhishekams and can enter the sanctum sanctorum of Jain temples.
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