Listening

You have learnt so much And read a thousand books. Have you ever read your Self? You have gone to mosque and temple. Have you ever visited your soul? ~ Bhulle Shah

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Acharya Hemchandra

Born: 1089 in Dhandhuka, Gujarat, India
Died: 1173 in Gujarat, India

Article by: J J O'Connor and E F Robertson

Hemchandra's mother was named Pahini and his father Chachadev. The name Hemchandra was one he took later in life and he was named Candradeva after he was born. The city of Dhandhuka where he was born is about 50 km south west of Ahmadabad the capital of Gujarat. Candradeva, when still young, was taken to a Jain temple where he became a monk and changed his name to Somacandra. He was instructed in religion, Indian philosophy, the sacred scriptures, logic and grammar. When Candradeva was ordained in 1110 into the Shvetambara (White-robed) sect of Jainism and he was given the name Acharya Hemchandra.

Gujarat at this time was ruled by the Solanki dynasty. Gujarat expanded to its largest extent under this dynasty and learning flourished, particularly in the economic and cultural fields. King Siddharaja made excellent use of Hemchandra's great skills, knowledge and learning in ruling Gujarat. King Kumarapala succeeded King Siddharaja and from 1125 he was advised by Hemchandra. Of course as a spiritual leader, Hemchandra was in a strong position to see that his ideas were put into practice and indeed this led to Gujarat becoming considerable more advanced in culture and learning. Hemchandra was a strong believer in non-violence and Gujarat flourished in peace for many years. He convinced King Kumarapala to bring in laws which not only prohibited violence between people, but also made it illegal to kill animals. Hemchandra convinced the King to make the Jain religion the official religion of Gujarat.

Hemchandra was an eloquent religious teacher, skilful political advisor, and a scholar of the highest standing ^[1] :-

A prodigious writer, [Hemchandra] produced Sanskrit and Prakrit grammars, textbooks on science and practically every branch of Indian philosophy, and several poems, including the Trishashtishalakapurusha-carita (Deeds of the 63 Illustrious Men), a Sanskrit epic of the history of the world as understood by Jain teachers. He was also a logician. Although derivative in many ways, his works have become classics, setting high standards for Sanskrit learning.

The book Deeds of the 63 Illustrious Men ^[2] mentioned in the above quote has now been translated into English by Fynes and published by Oxford University Press. The book recounts in a collection of fascinating stories historical myths of the Jain religion.

One might reasonably ask at this point why we have included Hemchandra in an archive of mathematicians. The answer lies in his contribution to the Fibonacci numbers which was made fifty years before Fibonacci wrote Liber Abaci with its famous rabbit problem. Kak, in ^[3], explains how these entered Hemchandra's writings. In a text written about 1150 he looked at the following problem. Suppose we assume that lines are composed of syllables which are either short or long. Suppose also that each long syllable takes twice as long to articulate as a short syllable. A line of length n contains n units where each short syllable is one unit and each long syllable is two units. Clearly a line of length n units takes the same time to articulate regardless of how it is composed. Hemchandra asks: How many different combinations of short and long syllables are possible in a line of length n?

Hemchandra then finds the answer explicitly. Suppose that there are f (n) possibilities for a line of length n. The line of length n either ends in a short syllable or in a long syllable. If it is the former than there remains a line of length n-1 which can be composed in f (n-1) ways and if the line of length n ends in a long syllable then there is a line of length n-2 remaining which can be composed in f (n-2) ways. Hence, argues Hemchandra,

f (n) = f (n-1) + f (n-2).

Before we rush to try to change the name of the Fibonacci numbers into Hemchandra number it is worth noting that Gopala had studied these numbers in about 1135 and Indian mathematicians as early as the 7th century had looked at sequences which are produced by the familiar Fibonacci rule.

source: here

Related articles

• Something more on Fibonacci numbers (cartesianproduct.wordpress.com)
• Meta programming: giving Integers a "fibonacci" property in Groovy (cartesianproduct.wordpress.com)
• Fibonacci Poetry (underpaidgenius.com)

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• Jains have contributed immensely in the education of India right from day one through their monasteries distributed across the country.
• The family is the first school and nucelus for education in India.
• In the primitive India, father and mother were the basic teachers of their children.
• Jains also accepted the family concept which prevailed earlier the rise of the Jain religion and Jain philosophy.
• Jains also focussed and developed the family based system of education not only of Jain religious values but other aspects of life social, cultural, business and others.
• Grammar and correct speech and languageand communication was taught at home.
• Their monastries continued to impart instructions and lectures and education on religious and secular values.
• In the monasteries, the curricula included  instructions in religion, literature, arts and physical cultures.
• The Jain monastries admitted the students of all castes.
• Teachers were of two kinds : teaching religous values and other teachers teaching secular values.
• The teachers/monkds in the Jain monasteries were required to study not less than three hours to upgrade and educate and evolve themselves.
• Intermonasteries debates and sharing thoughts were encouraged.
• In the Jain monastries library, the books, scripts relating religion, philosophy, astronomy, logic and arthmetic could be found.
• Youths of mercantile communities were admitted and trained.
• Rulers of ancient India competed with each other in honouring Tirthankars for their various kinds of contribution including that of the education.

to be continued.

by Dr B M Sharma

World's 1st ever Jain Radio Channel on the Internet JINVANI

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Just wanted to share this with you...

1st ever Jain radio channel - JINVANI (www.JainMediaLive.Com) on the Internet that will broadcast 24x7. Our aim is to relay various programs such as Abhishek, Pooja, Lecture (Pravachan), Bhakti, Aarti, Samayik, Pratikraman etc. Throughout the day. Every days program schedule will be published at least one week in advance. We hope that Jain radio channel will allow you to stay in touch with Jain teachings in todays busy world.

We request your support in spreading this message to your local Jain community members through local forums, via e-mail or newsletter and any other possible medium. Please take a moment to forward this message to all your Jain friends and relatives.

To learn more about Jain radio channel - JINVANI, please visit the website at www.JainMediaLive.Com

Jai Jinendra

Live & Let Live ~ Teachings of Lord Mahavir

If we talk about the teachings and philosophy of Mahavir's we will see that it is the spiritual power and moral grandeur of his teachings, which impressed the masses.

He made religion simple and natural, free from elaborate ritual complexities. His teachings reflected the popular impulse towards internal beauty and harmony of the soul.

He did not believed in grandeur and elaborate rituals. According to Mahavir, attachment to material objects is the primary cause of bondage and is also the cause for greed and jealousy. Jainism denies the existence of God as the creator, sustainer, and the moral governor of the world. According to the Jain dharma, the goal of life is to attain liberation.

The Jain scripture, Jain Agamas Siddhantas, preaches the doctrine of Ahimsa or non-violence. According to this doctrine, all objects have a soul, and should not be hurt or killed. His main teachings involves that it was the greatest sin to cause injury to creatures, and that it was the greatest virtue to renounce worldly possessions and practice strict asceticism.

His message of nonviolence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), non-stealing (Achaurya), celibacy (Brahma-charya), and non-possession (Aparigraha) is full of universal compassion.

Mahavir was quite successful in eradicating from human intellect the conception of God as creator, protector, and destroyer. He also denounced the worship of gods and goddesses as a means of salvation. He taught the idea of supremacy of human life and stressed the importance of the positive attitude of life.

Lord Mahavir also preached the gospel of universal love, emphasizing that all living beings, irrespective of their size, shape, and form how spiritually developed or under-developed, are equal and we should love and respect them.

Every day Jains bow their heads and say their universal prayer, the Navkar-mantra. All good work and events start with this prayer of salutation and worship.

Significance of Mahavir Jayanti

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Among all the Jain festivals Mahavir Jayanti is regarded as the most important festival of the Jains. It celebrates the birth anniversary of Mahavir. According to the Digambar school of Jainism, Lord Mahavira was born in the year 615 BC. He was the son of Siddhartha and Trisala.
It is said that the expectant mother had sixteen auspicious dreams before the child was born. Astrologers intepreting these dreams, stated that the child would be either an emperor or a Teerthankar. This religious event is largely observed by the Jains, by visiting sacred sites and worshipping the Teerthankars.
Mahavir Jayanti, is celebrated during the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra, festivities last for one day. Mahavir Jayanti occurs on the thirteenth day of Chaitra, right around the time of the full moon. Chaitra is equivalent to the months of March and April. The religion of Jainism does not believe in God as a creator, survivor, and destroyer of the universe.

Lord Mahavir ~ Philosophy

The philosophies of Lord Mahavira are based on the sole purpose of improving the quality of life. The basic idea is to attain spiritual excellence by maintaining ethical behavior and following proper code of conduct. Mahavira philosophy primarily consists of metaphysics and ethics.
The metaphysics comprise of three main principles, namely, Anekantavada, Syadvada and Karma. The five ethical principles underlying the philosophy of Lord Mahavira are Satya, Ahimsa, Brahmacharya, Asteya, and Aparigraha.
Lord Mahavira had a strong faith in the theory of Karma and he always said that, it is the karma that decides your destiny. Karma means the deeds that you do, which includes both, good as well as bad. The philosophies and teachings of Lord Mahavira are universal truths that are applicable even in the modern world that is plagued by corruption and violence.
He was of the opinion that, in retaliation to anti social elements, if you start behaving aggressive; you will never be able to find any solution. So, it is always better to come to an amicable solution by following the path of non violence. Ultimately, it is Ahimsa that paves way for maintaining harmony. So, if you wish to live your life in a peaceful manner and if tranquility is what you are searching for, then adopt the philosophy of the great personality Lord Mahavira.
Mahavir Swami's teachings

• Always speak the truth
• Control over oneself is very important
• There is no point accumulating loads of wealth that you can't even spend.
• Be honest to all.
• Follow the path of non violence.
• Be compassionate towards living beings.

Mahavira preached that from eternity, every living being (soul) is in bondage to karmic atoms accumulated by good or bad deeds. In a state of karmic delusion, the individual seeks temporary and illusory pleasure in material possessions, which are the root causes of self-centered violent thoughts and deeds as well as anger, hatred, greed, and other vices. These result in further accumulation of karma.
To liberate one's self, Mahavira taught the necessity of right faith (samyak-darshana), right knowledge (samyak-gyana), and right conduct (samyak-charitra'). At the heart of right conduct for Jains lie the five great vows:

• Nonviolence (Ahimsa) - to cause no harm to any living being;
• Truthfulness (Satya) - to speak the harmless truth only;
• Non-stealing (Asteya) - to take nothing not properly given;
• Chastity (Brahmacharya) - to indulge in no sensual pleasure;
• Non-possession/Non-attachment (Aparigraha) - to detach completely from people, places, and material things.

These vows cannot be fully implemented without accepting the philosophy of non-absolutism (Anekantvada) and the theory of relativity (Syādvāda, also translated "qualified prediction"). Monks and nuns adhere strictly to these vows, while the laypeople observe them as best they can.
Mahavira taught that men and women are spiritual equals and that both may renounce the world in search of moksh or ultimate happiness.
Jainism existed before Mahavir, and his teachings were based on those of his predecessors. Thus Mahavira was a reformer and propagator of an existing religion, rather than the founder of a new faith. He followed the well established creed of his predecessor Tirthankar Parshvanath. However, Mahavira did reorganize the philosophical tenets of Jainism to correspond to his times.
Every day Jains bow their heads and say their universal prayer, the Navkar-mantra. All good work and events start with this prayer of salutation and worship.

I love you!

I love you! The most wonderful, uplifting phrase in all the world. It does not matter what language you say it in, it always has the same effect. So, how often do you say it? Do you say it enough to those in your life that matter? Could you say it to a complete stranger?

I tell my wife, child and family members that I can that I love them. We close all our conversations with "Love ya, bye!". I even tell my dog, cats and garden plants that I love them. But I am like a majority of people out there who probably would not and could not tell someone I do not know that I love them. I mean the animals and plants will not try to have me arrested or give me weird looks. OK, so the cats give me weird looks all the time but they are cats, they just do that.

So, how can I say "I love you" without actually saying it. Actually, there are numerous ways I can do this and I will share a few of them with you.

1. I can just smile at people. A smile can say "I love you". It has at least a similar effect as uttering that wonderful phrase. When you smile at someone, you are letting them know that you care. And if they smile back then you have connected on the soul level.

2. I can just think "I love you". Sure, our thoughts are creative. That energy is released into the Universe and does have a positive affect, so why not walk around and think "I love you" about everything, especially yourself. It is the energy that is most important here so release your "love" energy for all the world to feel. Quite frankly we do not tell ourselves enough that we love who we are. Like I have always said it all begins with us, so go ahead, tell yourself that you love yourself.

3. I can give a gift to someone, donate to charity or volunteer for a worthy cause. All of these actions say "I love you" and just like thinking it, you spread the energy.

4. I can just look into someones eyes and with a look of love, I can connect and share the "love" energy, so words are not really even necessary. Did you ever do that? Just look deep into someones eyes and connect with their very soul. Wow, that is always a powerful moment.

5. I can write a poem, song or letter in which I express my love for someone, something or even the entire world.

6. Finally, I can just be loving towards myself and others. I can give a compliment, open a door, help someone load groceries in their car. I can get a massage, meditate, take a walk or eat my favorite desert.

There are as many ways that you and I can spread love either by actually saying "I love you" or doing and thinking loving things. The possibilities are as endless as the Universe.

So, let's all go out there and spread love in every way we can. I know it will have an immediate impact on you and the world.

I leave you today with this quote:

"Don't spend your precious time asking 'Why isn't the world a better place?' It will only be time wasted. The question to ask is 'How can I make it better?' To that there is an answer." - Leo F. Buscaglia

I LOVE YOU!

Harry Shade
An author, inspirational speaker, trainer and coach. Lives in Columbus, OH. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University and a life member of the The Ohio State University Alumni Club. He has studied spiritual things for the past 35 years and own his own business, Rare Sense Unlimited where he help people along their spiritual path and with their life goals. He lives life to the fullest each and every day and approach life with a never ending optimism. His main goal is to help at least one million along their spiritual path and to find their life's path. My first book, Rare Sense: One day It Will Be Common; A Practical Guide to a Fulfilled and Balanced Life is available through Trafford Publishing, www.trafford.com/07-1266. You can learn more about him and the services he provide @ www.raresenseunlimited.com.

Copyright 2008, Harry Shade, All Rights Reserved
Sourced with permission from http://raresenseunlimited.blogspot.com/

I can be a winner

I can be assertive

I can be honest with my feelings

I can be positive

I can be strong

I can change

I can control my temper

I can gain self-confidence

I can grow

I can handle my own problems

I can heal

I can laugh and have fun

I can let go of being compulsive

I can let go of fear

I can let go of guilt

I can lose weight

I can love my children

I can stop smoking

I can succeed

I can take risks

“I am” Affirmations

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I am alive

I am healthy

I am happy

I am connected with God

I am protected and safe

I am a good person

I am beautiful

I am strong

I am competent

I am intelligent

I am loving

I am energetic

I am enthusiastic

I am generous

I am forgiving

I am free

I am relaxed

I am courageous

I am trusting

I am caring

I am smart

I am creative

I am productive

I am thankful

I aspire ...

Image by jsymmetry via FlickrMay every being remain happy.

May there be no enmity, immorality or pride.

May the virtues prevail in all.

May there be no perils.

May there be no drought.

May there be no illness.

May everyone live in peace.

May there be compassion every where.

May no one speak malice.

May we always remain to be a responsible citizen.

By developing the understanding the nature of sustances, I develop courage to face adversity.

I do not fear...

Image via WikipediaI do not fear bad or good wishes.

I do not fear money loss.

I do not fear death.

I do not fear to walk on the virtues path.

I do not fear the perils.

May I never compromise in my virtues for fear anything.

My Feelings...

Image via WikipediaMy feelings of friendliness for all.

My feelings of sympathy for the poor and miserable.

My feelings of indifference for the ill-virtued.

My feelings of praise, appreciation for people with virtues.

May I always look at good qualities of others and not their follies.

I keep away from...

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I keep away from the five infirmities of Causing Injury, Lying, Stealing,, Impurity in Relation and Excessiveness.

I keep away from the four passions of Anger, Pride, Deciet and Greed.

I choose to be simple, truthful and helpful towards all.

I Revere

Image by Christolakis via FlickrI revere 'God' who dissolved the bondage's of Affection for worldly desires, feeling of hatred, indulgence in pleasure of body senses;

I revere 'God' who has in his experience known the universal truth;

I revere 'God' who has shown the path of Moksha, ultimate happiness, to all;

I revere 'Monk' who has no material desires, who practice virtues within oneself and equanimity towards all.

Paryushan & Festival of Forgiveness

Paryushan is the most important Jain religious observance of the year.

Paryushan Parva lasts 10 days; (two popular titles of this festival, viz. (1) ‘Paryushan Parva’ and (2) ‘Dashlakshan Parva’ are in vogue). The festival ordains the Jain’s to observe the ten (10) universal supreme virtues in daily practical life. This is a time of intensive study, reflection and purification.

It takes place in the middle of the rainy season, in the auspicious month ‘Bhadrapad’ of the Jain calendar extends from the fifth day to fourteenth day of the bright fortnight, a time when Jain monks and nuns cease travelling and stay with a community and are available to them for instruction and guidance. It is also a time when the laity takes on various temporary vows of study and fasting, a spiritual intensity similar to temporary monasticism. Paryushan concludes with a time of confession and forgiveness for the transgressions of the previous year.

Even if there are no religious leaders in residence, the laity meets every day during Paryushan, shifting their focus of life to the soul for these days. The most important part of Paryushan is daily meditation and prayer, which provides an opportunity for looking within and looking toward the teachings of the Tirthankaras for guidance. Jain’s often take time off from work during this period and eat a much simpler diet.

Select Jain’s also fast during Paryushan, some for the entire period. At the end of Paryushan, those who have fasted for the 10/31 days; break their fast with a special meal during which they do not touch food, but are fed by friends and loved ones in honor of their achievement.

One cannot consume any fruits or even a grain in our upvaas (fast) except water. We live in a sea of energy. Our bodies gain energy indirectly from the food we eat, while we gain direct energy from the cosmic energy that flows into us through the medulla oblongata at the bottom of the brain. But this kind of acceptance of energy depends upon our mental set-up. The greater the will, the greater would be the flow of energy.

Penance is given high importance to purify one's soul. In the time cycle, Lord Rishabh started the penance for one year at a stretch. The same tradition is followed even today. During the process of penance, all the accumulated toxins in the cells of the body over a period of time start to melt away. Since the body's energies are concentrated in cleaning and detoxification during the fasting process, rest becomes a necessary adjunct. The body parts are recharged and relaxed. This minimizes physical ailments, increases strength and keeps body, mind and the hormonal balance in check.

Its origin is related to the staying of the monks in one place for the rainy season. ‘Paryushan’ is staying of the monks in one place. In popular terminology this stay is termed ‘chaturmas’ because the rainy season is regarded to be about four months.

Paryushan means, literally, "abiding" or "coming together". It is also a time when the laity takes on vows of study and fasting with a spiritual intensity similar to temporary monasticism. Paryushan concludes with a time of confession and forgiveness for the transgressions of the previous year.

Paryushan Parva -Definition / Translation:

The word "Parva" means auspicious day. The word "Paryushan" has several different meanings:

1. Pari + ushan = all kinds + to burn = to burn (shed) our all types of karmäs. To shed our karmäs, we do twelve different types of austerities including fasting.

2. Another meaning of "ushan" is to stay closer. To stay closer to our own soul from all directions and to stay absorbed in our own-self (soul), we do Svädhyäya (self-study), meditation, austerities, etc., and

3. Pari + upshamanä = upshamanä means to suppress, to suppress our passions (kashäyas - anger, ego, deceit and greed) from all directions.

According to Sanskrit grammar the underlying idea of the festival and its interpretation is given below:

“Parismantadushayante dhante karmani yasimannasau paryushanam”

· The celebration through which the karmic matter attached to the soul is totally burnt or vanquished (both internally and externally) is known Paryushan (self-purification).

Therefore:

· The real purpose of the Paryushan is to purify our soul by staying closer to our own soul, to look at our own misdeeds, to ask for forgiveness for the mistakes we have committed, and to take vows to minimize our faults and passions. We try to forget about the needs of our body (like food) and our business so that we can concentrate on our self.

· Paryushan is a festival of self-discipline through fasting and other ascetic practices.

· Men, women and children as well as monks and nuns undertake fasts with varying strictness.

They celebrate ten best characteristics of the soul:

1. Kshamä (forgiveness), Total lack of anger

2. Märdav (Humility), Lack of pride

3. Ärjav (straightforwardness), Lack of cunning

4. Shauch (content - absence of greed), Lack of cunning

5. Satya (truth), Lack of falsehood.

6. Samyam (restraint of all senses), Control over physical violence

7. Tapa (austerities), Austerity is repentance of one's sins

8. Tyäga (charity), Giving up possessions both internal and external

9. Äkinchan (non-possessiveness), Lack of attachment

10. Brahmachärya (celibacy), Abstaining from sexual relations

The festival ordains the Jain’s to observe the above mentioned ten universal supreme virtues in daily practical life. Besides assuring a blissful existence in this world and the other world for every living being, it aims at the attainment of salvation - the supreme ideal for mundane soul.

Jain community, as a whole, high and low, young and old, and males and females, participate with full vigor and zeal in the various religious rituals and cultural programs. They listen with rapt attention to the holy sermons of the Saints and learned Jain scholars arranged during the ten-day festival. In these celebrations lie dormant the seeds of the well being, peace and happiness of the common man. On the eve of this festival all activities, which add to social discord or bitterness are declared taboo from the temple pulpits.

These celebrations harbinger social harmony and amity and preach the lofty Jain motto:

‘Live and Let live’.

Forgiveness
At the conclusion of the festival, the followers request each other for forgiveness for all offenses committed during the last year.

This occurs on Pratipada (first) of Ashwin Krashna (Jain Calendar).

This ritual of forgiveness is sometimes called the rite of "universal friendship." Most Jain centers even in the U.S. now conduct at least part of the ritual of forgiveness in English for the benefit of the youth.

There are several great aphorisms (Sutras) to ask for forgiveness with the unity of the body, speech and mind, and one of them is as follows:

Khämemi Savve Jivä, Savve Jivä Khamantu Mi
Mitti Me Savva bhuesu, Veram majjham na Kenai.

I grant forgiveness to all living beings, May all living beings grant me forgiveness; my friendship is with all living beings, my enmity is totally non-existent. Let there be peace, harmony, and prosperity for all.

The process of shedding our karmäs really begins by asking for forgiveness with true feelings, and to take some vows not to repeat mistakes. The quality of the forgiveness requires humility (vinay - absence of ego) and suppression of anger.

Therefore, the real purpose of the Paryushan is to purify our soul by staying closer to our own soul, to look at our own faults, to ask for forgiveness for the mistakes we have committed, and take vows to minimize our faults.

Paryushan Parva gives expression to the perfectly purified trait of the soul, through which one gets rid of worldly discords and allurements and one gets fully absorbed in the eternal truth on experiencing and realizing the true nature of soul. In other words we can say that the natural realization of the trio ‘the True, the Good and the Beautiful’ is fully possible only through Paryushan. In fact the other name of the Jainism, which is universal religion, is Paryushan. This festival puts an end to all evils in man; gives him realization of the eternal bliss, and spiritualism becomes alive by the celebration of this festival.

Paryushan Parva is a grand Jain festival of self-introspection, self-enlightenment and, self-achievement, which, ultimately leads to the one and only one final goal, i.e., liberation or salvation.