Jainism and Buddhism: A Comparative Study

by Justin Blaha through Professor Rev. Dr. James Kenneth Powell II, opensourcebuddhism.org This piece offers a fairly thorough and basic introduction to the ancient Jain tradition and compares it with core aspects of Buddhism. The similarities and contrasts are apparent in this very competent production.


A foreigner knows so much about our religion which we try to avoid. This is published with a view to wake up.

Antraya Karma (Obstruction to happiness)

You have plenty of money, food and clothes to give others. There are many in need of these.
But you do not like to give anything to anybody, why?
It is on account of Antraya Karma.
Though you do your best to earn money, and though you try hard to get food, make efforts to get a house, you do not succeed in all these.
You should realise that the Antraya Karma is against you.

Though you have a lot of delicious things to eat,  you are not able to eat.
Though you have a lot of selected clothes to wear, you cannot wear them.
Though you have a very fine house to live in, you are not able to live in it.
Though you have an affectionate mother and a good grandma, you cannot live with them.
Do you know the reason for all these ?
It is the same Antraya Karma.
This Karma does not allow you to perform any penance or any service or to be engaged in devotion. This Antraya Karma makes you lazy and weak.

Courtesy : Jainism for Jainvikas

Mohaniya Karma (Concealment of Truth or Reality)

What is Mohaniya Karma ?

On account of the influence of this Karma,
Men cannot understand the supreme God.
They cannot follow the true Guru.
They cannot accept the true religion
They believe that
the true is false and the false is true,
the unreal is real and the real is unreal,

On account of the influence of this Karma.
Someone gets angry.
Someone becomes proud.
Someone deceives another.
Someone becomes greedy.

This Karma makes
Someone laugh.
Someone cry.
Gives someone pleasure.
Gives someone pain.
Sometimes frightens us,
Sometimes leads us on the wrong path.
Sometimes makes us fight
and
Sometimes makes us cheerful.

This Karma creates doubts about Religion and Guru, and faith in God.
Among all Karmas the Mohaniya Karma is the most dangerous and most difficult to overcome.

Courtesy : Jainism for Jainvikas

Stomach Exercises to Eliminate Belly Fat

Now that spring seems to finally be back in our lives, many people are concerned about losing those few extra pounds of chub which stand between them and a sculpted midriff. Those folks who let themselves go a little in the winter months may be working overtime now that it is April and thoughts of bikinis are dancing in their heads.

The good news is that there are, of course, stomach exercises to speed along the process. Some are better than others, including these few, which are good specifically for trimming belly fat. As with any workout routine, be sure to consult a professional before beginning and always warm up properly to avoid injury.

Hip Lift
For this stomach exercise, you will need to lie on your back on a flat surface, such as the floor. Use a mat or towel to cushion your spine. Put your arms at your sides with palms facing up to the ceiling. Put your legs straight up in the air so that the soles of your feet are facing the ceiling and your legs make about a ninety degree angle with your torso. Keep your knees unbent and as straight as possible. Now, contract your ab muscles so that it feels like your belly button is being pulled toward your spine, while at the same time gently lifting your hips off the floor. Raise your hips to height of a few inches, keeping your legs extended straight upward. Hold this position, then slowly lower your hips back to the floor. Repeat for an entire set.

Seated Torso Twist
Stay on the floor for this stomach exercise, getting into a seated position. Bend your knees so that your feet are flat on the floor. Position your feet about hip width apart. Extend your arms straight out in front of you, interlocking your fingers. Contract your abdominals and lean back about forty-five degrees. Holding the contraction, rotate your torso as far to one side as you are comfortably able.

Use your abdominals to control this motion so that your upper body moves at once, do not lead with your arms. Remember to keep your arms in from of you with fingers locked-- pretend you are aiming an imaginary gun. Once you have rotated as far as you feel comfortable, rotate back to center, then to the other side. Repeat these steps for an entire set. Take care to go slow and keep a controlled movement. Do not allow your momentum to twist y

Thanks to Jainism for Jivanvikas Articles