This is Khona Family Spiritual Heritage

Our Spiritual Heritage is ...... JAIN

We are from western Indian region. Our forefathers came from Kutch to Bombay in late 18th century to do business. Back Kutch we have farms and cattle for milk. Our town (village) name is Sujapur, in Abdasa district in the Gujarat State.

My wife's family from northern India. Earlier a part of what is now Pakistan. Following the partition of India, her parent moved to and now are living in New Delhi.

Photo below is of an interior ceiling of Ranakpur Jain Temple in the Rajasthan state - India. Similar temples are in Delwada, Mount Abu in the Rajasthan state.

In Rick's forefather's place, we have temple there, with Lord Ajitnath residing. It can be said that JAINISM is a part of Hindu religion. In true sense HINDUISM is not a religion, but it is society in India where group of religion believing in GOD reside. There are few major differences between Hindu and Jain religion; Namely non-violence, equality of all forms of life, Multiplicity view and how GOD is perceived.

Following is JAIN's main Prayer :

+ + + TRI-MANTRAS + + + NAMO ARHANTAANAM (I Bow to ARHANTs - all the souls who have conquered their enemies (or weaknesses) such as jealousy, greed, anger, egoism and the like.) NAMO SIDDHAANAM (I Bow to SIDDHs - the liberated ones who have freed themselves from the bondage of all karma and have at-tained perfect knowledge.) NAMO AIRIYAANAM (I Bow to the Religious guides who have experienced self-realization of their souls through self-control and self sacrifice.) NAMO UVAJJHAAYAANAM (I Bow to the Religious instructors who understand the true nature of soul and teach the importance of the spiritual over the material wealth.) NAMO LOYE SAVVA SAHOONAM (I Bow to all Saints of the world who strictly follow the great vows of conduct and inspire us to live virtuous life.) ESO PANCH NAMUKKARO (This five-fold obeisance) SAVVA PAVA PANAASANO (Destroying of all demerits) MANGALANAM CHA SAVVESIM (Among all benedictions) PADHAM HAVAI MANGALAM (is the foremost benediction) OHM NAMO BHAGAVATE VASUDEVAYAH I bow to all those who have become Gods from human beings ( Nar to Narayan) OHM NAMO SHIVAH I bow to all beings who are Auspicious ( Self Realized Beings ) JAI SAT CHIT ANAND - The Awareness of Being is Bliss Dearest Lord within me .. Give me the infinite inner strength not to cause someone, nor instigate, even to the slightest extent, through Thoughts, Speech and Action ( mun, vachan & kaya) ....anyone to Hurt or Hurt the ego of any being, present or absent, living or dead.
Hurt the foundation of any religion,
Criticize, Offend, or Insult any living monk, nun, preacher or a religious head.
Dislike or Hate any living being, even to the slightest extent.
Speak, any Harsh or Hurtful language towards any living being
not to have any Sexual desires, feelings or gestures towards any living being
control my excessive Temptation towards Food
and to become an Instrument in the Path of Self Realization for the world.

The Science of the Tri-Mantra Lord Rishabhdev who is the source of all religions and who as Adam or Adinath is accepted by all religions, has told all human beings who desire to overcome obstacles in life to recite all the three mantras together. In this trimantra, the mantra of the Panch Parmeshti known as Navkaar Mantra, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya and Om Namah Shivaya, all three have to be recited together. This the Lord had directed. He had said, "If you want to split and divide your places of worship according to your convenience, so be it, but do not split these three mantras. Recite them together." There are celestial beings.. devas and devis.. who are in charge of protecting every religion. We please these celestial beings when we recite their respective mantras and they in turn help us. If you recite the mantra that is of only one religion then you cause displeasure to the protectors of the other religions. Alas now a days they have not only split the mantras but also the holy occasions related to the religion. The agyaras...a form of holy fast of the Shaivites has been split from that of the Vaishnavites ! Even in the Jain religion splits have occurred into various sectors on account of a holy date related to lunar calendar ! One will have to accept the authority of all relative religions in order to arise and awaken to a higher meaning of the Real ! When you understand the meaning of this prayer, you will see that it does not address to one or any particular GOD. Rather, it defines GOD in stages This is how a soul can transform into GODLY spirit. It also implies that all people (soul) meet the qualifications are Included in the prayer. Hence it make JAIN religion an universal religion - follower of JINAS ( all saints and lords i.e. Christ, Mohammad, Buddha, Ram, Krishna, Shivaji, etc.) with road maps to NIRVANA - Salvation and so on ......... In JAIN religion all form of living organism (can have Soul and various degree of awareness - rational thinking power). And they all are respected and not destroyed. This gives you essence of our spirit - our religious Heritage (as we learned and understand).

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