The Lotus - Jainism's Holy Sutrakritanga Sutra: Book II, Lecture 1, Part 1 of 2

One of the oldest religions in the world is Jainism, traditionally known as Jain Dharma. Originating from ancient India, this philosophy centers around concepts such as right perception, right knowledge, and right conduct in the attainment of moksha, or realization of the soul’s true nature. The concept of ahimsa, or nonviolence, is of equally great importance. Thus, with compassion for all life, practitioners of Jainism follow a pure vegetarian or vegan diet. Supreme Master Ching Hai has spoken about Lord Mahavira, as during this lecture in Taiwan, also known as Formosa, on June 23, 2019. “I don’t know if anyone in the history of mankind could have done or could be doing or will be doing such an asceticism, such a sacrifice like the Lord Mahavira.” We present to you today, excerpts from Book II – Lecture 1, from Jainism’s Sutrakritanga Sutra. Second Book First Lecture The Lotus “O long-lived (Gambusvamin)! I (Sudharman) have heard the following Discourse from the Venerable (Mahavira). We now come to the Lecture called ‘the Lotus.’” “The Venerable Ascetic Mahavira addressed the crowd of Nirgrantha monks and nuns, and spoke thus: Ah, you long-lived Sramanas! I shall tell, declare, explain, expound, and demonstrate it with its meaning, reasons, and arguments. Thus, I say: O long-lived Sramanas, meaning the world, I spoke of the lotus-pool. Meaning karma, I spoke of the water. Meaning pleasures and amusements, I spoke of the mud. Meaning people in general, I spoke of those many white lotuses, the best of Nymphaeas. Meaning the king, I spoke of the one big white lotus, the best of Nymphaeas. Meaning heretical teachers, I spoke of those four men. Meaning the Law, I spoke of the monk. Meaning the church, I spoke of the bank. Meaning the preaching of the Law, I spoke of (the monk's) voice. Meaning Nirvana, I spoke of (the lotus') flying up. Meaning these things, O long-lived Sramanas, I told this (simile). ‘Upwards from the soles of the feet, downwards from the tips of the hair on the head, within the skin's surface is (what is called) Soul, or what is the same, the Atman. The whole soul lives; when this (body) is dead, it does not live. It lasts as long as the body lasts, it does not outlast the destruction (of the body). With it (namely the body) ends life.” “Those who believe that there is and exists no soul, speak the truth. Those who say that the soul is different from the body, are wrong.”