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Happy Diwali - Oshwal News
JAIN PERSPECTIVES ON SERVICE AND COMPASSION
There are many good sources of information on the values of daan, donation and service
as a way to cultivate karuna, compassion, for one’s spiritual development.
Jainism holds daan - the act of giving - in great esteem. Charity without any expectations
is twiced blessed; it blesses both the giver and the receiver. This is why daan is foremost
among the four main good emotions - bhavanas.
Gautam Swami onced asked Lord Mahavir: “Who is more blessed - one who serves a sick
person or one who has your darshan” Lord Mahavir replied “He who serves a sick
person is blessed with my darshan - the sight of someone who elevates you spiritually.”
Jainism mentions meritorious acts - punya: kindness, charity, righteous behaviour, compassion for others, helping
others and controlling one’s own mind. Such merit-winning acts - punyanubandhi punya - cleanses and purifies our
feelings, emotions and intentions - bhavas. The creation of negative karma is prevented and previous negative karma is
wiped out. The quintessential development of the human soul begins with punyanubandhi punya, so it is essential to
honour and practise nine types of punya.
1. ANNA PUNYA - the merit of providing food. Give food to those who are hungry.
2. JALA PUNYA - the merit of providing water. Give water to those who are thirsty.
3. VASTRA PUNYA - merit of providing clothes. Give clothes to those who need them in order to protect
themselves and maintain their good character.
4. AASANA PUNYA - merit of providing a seat. Give seats to those who need to rest.
5. SHAYANA PUNYA - merit of providing sleeping convenience. Give shelter to those in need.
6. MANA PUNYA - merit of providing good thoughts. Send good wishes to all living things and be happy about the
virtues and good deeds of others.
7. VACHANA PUNYA - merit of good words. Speak words that result in the good of others - truly using words with
the use of one’s mind, body and wealth to remove the pain and difficulty of others.
8. KAYA PUNYA - merit earned through the body. Serve others with one’s body and help others in their good
deeds.
9. NAMASKAR PUNYA - merit earned by bowing.
Penance is not merely abstaining from eating food. It includes the donation of whatever money is saved from fasting to
the needy and those who suffer for want of food. The food and money that is saved must go to them. Many followers
of Jainism take vows, such as not to use silk. Ou lives become luminous as a result of such vows of restriction and
renunciation. Money which is saved should be given in charity.
For Jains, daan is a challenge to those who talk of aparigraha - non-possession - but live in the stupor of possessiveness.
It is necessary to think of fulfilling the basic needs of the poor when we think of renouncing our worldly possessionsparigraha.
We gain great merit by giving food, water, shelter and clothing. Daan without expectation is the soul of
Jainism.
Extracted From a booklet - Anukampa by Shri Mafatlal Mehta
It’s true that we don’t know what we’ve got until we lose it, but it’s also
true that we don’t know what we’ve been missing until it arrives.
Always put yourself in other’s shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, no doubt
it probably hurts the other person too …. this is the essence of Jainism
F
We all come in this world alone
And we leave the same way
But in between
We have the chance to connect and help each other.
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