Q-1: Who are the Arihant Bhagwans?

Ans. Arihant Bhagwans are kevalis or Jinas who have conquered their inner passions and have destroyed their all four Ghati Karmas.

Q-2: What are the different types of Arihant Bhagwans?

Ans. There are two types of Arihant Bhagwans. They are Simple Arihants and Tirthankar Arihants.

Q-3: Who is the Tirthankar Arihants?

Ans. Those Arihants who reestablish Jain Tirth are called Tirthankar Arihants.

Q-4: Who is the Simple Arihants?

Ans. Those Arihants who do not reestablish the Jain Tirth are called simple arihants.

Q-5: How many dreams does the Tirthankar's Mother get?

Ans. Tirthankar's Mother gets fourteen or sixteen dreams.

Q-6: Can you name the fourteen dreams?

Ans. Fourteen dreams are: 1. Elephant, 2. Bullock, 3. Lion, 4. Laxami, 5. Garland, 6. Moon, 7. Sun, 8. Flag, 9. Vase, 10. Lotus Lake, 11. Ocean, 12. Celestial Abode, 13. Heap of Jewels, 14. Smokeless Flame

Q-7: What are the two extra dreams of sixteen dreams?

Ans. Two extra dreams of sixteen dreams are:1) A Pair of Fish, 2) A Lofty Thorne. 

Q-8: How many different ways can one be destined to be the Tirthankar?

Ans. There are 20 different ways one can be destined to be the Tirthankar. 

Q-9: How many Tirthankar Bhagwans do we have at this time?

Ans. Twenty 

Q-10: Where are the current Tirthankar Bhagwans?

Ans. There are none in our part of the world, but there are twenty in Mahavideh- kshetra. 

Q-11: How many minimum Tirthankar Bhagwnas can be at any given time?

Ans. Twenty

Q-12: How many maximum Tirthankar Bhagwnas can be at any given time?

Ans. One hundred and seventy

Q-13: Can you name the current Tirthankar Bhagwans?

Ans. 
1) Shri Simandhar Swami
2) Shri Jugmandhar Swami
3) Shri Bahu Swami
4) Shri Subahu Swam
5) Shri Sujitnath Swami
6) Shri Svayamprabh Swami
7) Shri Rishbhanan Swami
8) Shri Anantveerya Swami
9) Shri Suprabh Swami
10) Shri Vishalprabh Swami
11) Shri Vrajdhar Swami
12) Shri Chandranan Swami
13) Shri Chandrbahu Swami
14) Shri Brujandev Swami
15) Shri Iswar Swami
16) Shri Nemprabh Swami
17) Shri Veersen Swami
18) Shri Mahabhadra Swami
19) Shri Devajassa Swami
20) Shri Ajeetsen Swami

Q-14: How many karmas do Arihant Bhagwans have left?

Ans. Arihant Bhagwan has four karmas left.

Q-15: What are the Bhavanas?

Ans. Bhavana means mental thinking.

Q-16: Can you name the Bhavanas?

Ans. Bhavanas are:
1. Anitya
2. Asharan
3. Samsar
4. Ekatva
5. Anyatva
6. Ashuchi
7. Ashrav
8. Samvar
9. Nirjara
10. Lokswarup
11. Bodhidurlabh
12. Dharma
13. Maitri
14. Pramod
15. Karuna
16. Madhyastha

Q-17: Can you describe Anitya Bhavana?

Ans. Anitya bhavana means thinking about the transitory nature of things around us. All things of the worldly life are perishable; and nothing is permanent. It is fruitless to mourn over the loss of perishable, and we should not lose our mental peace and emotional poise over them. Therefore, when someone dear to us dies or when we lose something then we should think that in this world, the body wealth, family, relatives, and status, etc., are transient, and we will not feel so bad.

Q-18: Can you describe Asharan Bhavana?

Ans. Asharan Bhavna means thinking that no other individual can provide a refuge. Nothing external can offer the permanent refuge. When death occurs and the soul has to leave the body, there is no one who can save the jiva from this. Wealth, and family, etc., stay behind and you have to face the future by yourself.

Q-19: Can you describe Sansar Bhavana?

Ans. Thinking of worldly life.

In the cycle a of different worldly lives (samsar) the mother can become a wife; a wife can become a mother; and an enemy can become a friend; and a friend can become a foe, etc. How fruitless is this samsar, where relationships go on changing. Therefore, I should not develop bondage for others.

Q-20: Can you describe Ekatva Bhavana?

Ans. Thinking of being alone.

In this Samsar (worldly life) the Jiva (soul) is born alone and dies alone. It accumulates the Karmas alone and it experiences the fruits of its Karmas alone, too. Who belongs to whom in this world? Though jiva is living in the middle of the crowd, he is absolutely alone. Therefore, give up the attachment for others.

Q-21:  Can you describe Anyatva Bhavana?

Ans. Thinking of the soul as separate from the body.

The body and the soul are different and separate from each other. The body is inert, but my soul is the very embodiment of consciousness. The soul is imperishable. It will not die. The body; of course, burns and becomes ashes. Agonies afflict only the body and not to the soul. I am not the body. The body is not mine.

Q-22: Can you describe Ashuchi Bhavana?

Ans. Thinking that the body is unclean.

This body is made up of impure substances like blood, urine, and fecal material, etc. I will discard my attachments for such body and engage myself in self-discipline, renunciation and spiritual endeavors. The body is made up of the substance that decays very easily.

Q-23: Can you describe Ashrav Bhavana?

Ans. Thinking of the causes of the inflow of karmas.

Ashrav means inflow of karmas. Evil tendencies and actions pollute and corrupt the soul with karmas. Therefore, one must think to be free from all such activities to avoid the inflow of karmas.

Q-24: Can you describe Samvar Bhavana?

Ans. Thinking of taking the action to stop the inflow of karmas.

Samvar means blocking of inflow of karmas. One must think of the tremendous benefits of each Samvar like Samiti, Gupti, Yati-dharma etc. One must carry out these activities to reduce the inflow of karma.

Q-25: Can you describe Nirjara Bhavana?

Ans. Thinking of destroying karmas.

By performing austerities, we can destroy our Karmas. There are such twelve kinds of austerities. Therefore, we should think of when can we perform such austerities to destroy our karmas so that we can be liberated.

Q-26: Can you describe Lokaswarup Bhavana?

Ans. Thinking of the universe.

Think of the creation of the fourteen Rajlok (universe) which are made up of the substances which are subject to the law of origin existence and destruction. This whole universe is filled with jivas and pudgals.

Q-27: Can you describe Bodhidurlabh Bhavana?

Ans. Thinking of developing faith in the dharmik (religious) principles.

One should think that it is hard to attain human life, healthy body dharma, and to act according to dharma, etc. It is even more difficult to develop a true and abiding faith in the dharmik doctrines. We should think to make our faith strong and stronger forever.

Q-28: Can you describe Dharma Bhavana?

Ans. Thinking of the influence of dharma.

How much have we been benefited by the Jinas and the irdoctrines! This life is possible only if there is dharma. We have attained comforts and happiness by the benevolence of dharma. It would be difficult to live without dharma. One should think of dharma from the practical points of view.

Q-29: Can you describe Maitri Bhavana?

Ans. Thinking of friendship.

Think to be a friend of all beings in this universe. Once you are a friend you can not think bad of anyone, but rather make their life easier.

Q-30: Can you describe Pramod Bhavana?

Ans. Thinking of honoring superiors.

Think of having heartfelt affection, regard and esteem for people who are superior to us in virtues, knowledge and ability. Not to entertain such feelings as jealousy and envy; and not to look at anyone maliciously and with a sinister feeling. Think to be cheerful and happy at the sight of virtuous people; and to express cordial happiness on seeing such people.

Q-31: Can you describe the Karuna Bhavana?

Ans. Thinking of compassion.

Think to show compassion to those who are in distress, want; and to those who are weak and helpless. Think to help them by giving your support to remove their sorrows and agonies.

Q-32: Can you describe the Madhyastha Bhavana?

Ans. Think to stay neutral.

Think to treat with indifference those people who even after realization and knowing the right from wrong, arrogantly and obstinately refuse to walk on the path of righteousness. Think that may be one day they may improve, but I do not have to be affected by their behavior. Think of being in equanimity even in such circumstances.

Q-33: What kind of bhavanas should one have?

Ans. One should entertain and expand auspicious and useful thoughts. One should not allow one’s soul to get entangled in the various materialistic events taking place around oneself.

Q-34: What is the purpose of bhavanas?

Ans. Bhavanas enable people to attain mental peace, tranquillity, and spiritual uplift.

Q-35: How many auspicious events are there in the life of Tirthankars?

Ans. There are five auspicious events in the life of a Tirthankar. 

Q-36: What is the original word for auspicious events in the life of Tirthankars?

Ans. The Jain term for these auspicious events is Kalyanaka.

Q-37: Can you describe the 1st Kalyanak?

Ans. The first Kalyanaka is the Chyavana Kalyanaka. This is when a to be Tirthankar’s soul departs from its last life and is conceived in the womb of the mother.

Q-38: Can you describe the 2nd Kalyanak?

Ans. The second Kalyanaka is the Janma Kalyanaka. This is when a to be Tirthankar is born. The gods and goddesses celebrate this auspicious occasion.

Q-39: Can you describe the 3rd Kalyanak?

Ans. The third Kalyanaka is Diksha Kalyanaka. This is when a to be Tirthankar gives up all his worldly possessions and takes the vows of a monk.

Q-40: Can you describe the 4th Kalyanak?

Ans. The fourth Kalyanaka is Kevalagnan Kalyanaka. This is when the Tirthankar attains kevalagnan (perfect knowledge). At that time the Tirthankar re-establishes the Jain Sangh, formed of the four tirthas namely sadhus, sadhvis, shravaks, and shravikas.

Q-41: Can you describe the 5th Kalyanak?

Ans. The fifth Kalyanaka is Nirvana Kalyanaka. This is when the Tirthankar dies and leaves this universe and his body forever. He goes to salvation, and becomes free from the cycle of birth and death.

Q-42: How many Tattvas (Fundamentals) are there in Jainism?

Ans. There are nine fundamentals.

Q-43: Can you name the Nine Tattvas (Fundamentals)?

Ans. Nine fundamentals are:
1) Living
2) Non-living
3) Punya
4) Pap
5) Ashrava
6) Samvar
7) Bandh
8) Nirjara
9) Moksha.

Q-44: What is meant by the Ajiva?

Ans. Things which do not have life or qualities like breathing regenerating, etc., are known as ajiva or non-living things.

Q-45: What is meant by the Jiva?

Ans. Jiva means one which can breathe, regenerate or reproduce, eat and have mind to think, etc.

Q-46: What are the different Jivas?

Ans. The souls are divided into two categories.

Q-47: How are the different Jivas described depending upon spirituality?

Ans. There are two kind of jivas:
1) Liberated souls, the muktatma, the soul that is bodiless and has been once and for all freed from the bondage of all the karmas and cycle of births and deaths.
2) Non-liberated souls, samsari atma, the soul that has a body and is caught in the bondage of karmas and cycle of births and deaths.

Q-48: How many senses are there?

Ans. There are five senses.

Q-49: What is the paryapti?

Ans. Paryapti means a special power through which jiva converts matter (pudgal) like food into an energy.

Q-60: How many different Paryaptis are there?

Ans. There are six paryapties.

Q-61: What is the Pran?

Ans. The Pran means vitality.

Q-62: How many different Prans are there?

Ans. There are ten prans.

Q-64: What is the name for the group of Jivas with one sense?

Ans. Ekindriya Jivas

Q-65: Can you give an example of one sensed Jivas?

Ans. Examples of one-sensed jivas are:
Earth
Water
Fire
Air, and
Vegetable beings.

Q-66: How many paryaptis do one-sensed Jiva have?

Ans. Four

Q-67: How many prans do the one-sensed Jiva have?

Ans. Four

Q-68: What is the name for the group of Jivas with two senses?

Ans. Beindriya Jivas

Q-70: Can you give the examples of two-sensed Jivas?

Ans. Examples of two-sensed jivas are:
Germs
The microbes in stale food
The minute creatures in water
The worms that eat away wood, etc.

Q-71: How many paryapties do the two-sensed Jivas have?

Ans. Five 

Q-72: How many prans do the two-sensed Jivas have?

Ans. Six

Q-73: What is the name for the group of Jivas with three senses?

Ans. Teindriya Jivas

Q-74: Can you give the examples of the three-sensed Jivas?

Ans. Examples of three sensed jivas are:
Centipedes
Bugs
Lice
White ants
Moths, and
Insects in wheat, etc

Q-75: How many paryaptis do the three-sensed Jivas have?

Ans. Five

Q-76: How many prans do the three-sensed Jivas have?

Ans. Seven

Q-77: What is the name for group of the Jivas with four senses?

Ans. Chaurindriya Jivas

Q-78:Can you give the examples of four-sensed Jivas?

Ans. Examples of four sensed jivas are:
Scorpions
Crickets
Spiders
Beetles
Locusts
Flies of all kinds, etc.

Q-79: How many paryaptis do the four-sensed Jivas have?

Ans. Five

Q-80: How many prans do the four-sensed Jivas have?

Ans. Eight

Q-81: What is the name for the group of Jivas with five senses?

Ans. Panchendriya Jivas

Q-82: Can you give examples of five-sensed Jivas?

Ans. 
1) Naraki - the jivas in hell.
2) Tiryanch - those that live on earth - animals, birds, fish, etc.
3) Dev - those that live in the haven - dev/angels.
4) Manushya - human beings.

Q-83: How many prans do five-sensed Jiva have?

Ans. Ten

Q-84: How many paryaptis do five-sensed Jiva have?

Ans. Six

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Information Courtesy :Mr. Pravin K. Shah
Chairperson JAINA Education Committee
 Federation of Jain Associations in North America 
509 Carriage Woods Circle Raleigh, NC 27607-3969 USA 
Email - Pkshah1@attglobal.net  
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