Jain Balpothi

This document is a comprehensive Jain Balpothi (Primary Book on Jainism for Children) authored by Brahmachari Harilal Jain, published by Digambar Jain Swadhyay Mandir Trust. The book aims to impart fundamental Jain principles to children in an engaging manner.

Key Aspects of the Book:

• Target Audience: Primarily children, with the goal of introducing them to Jainism from an early age.
• Content Structure: The book is divided into 28 chapters, each covering a core concept of Jainism. It also includes a section with questions for review and practice.
• Language and Presentation: The text is presented in both Gujarati and English, with clear explanations and illustrations to aid understanding. The language is kept simple and accessible for young readers.
• Core Jain Principles Covered:
  • The Soul (Jeev) and Non-Soul (Ajeev): Explains the fundamental distinction between the conscious soul and the inanimate body and other substances.
  • Dravya, Guna, Paryaya: Introduces the Jain metaphysical concepts of substance, quality, and modification/states.
  • The Nature of Religion (Dharma): Defines religion as related to the soul's understanding and practice, not the physical body.
  • God (Bhagwan), Guru (Religious Teacher), and Scripture (Shastra): Explains the roles and significance of these spiritual guides.
  • The Five Supreme Beings (Panch Parmeshthi): Implicitly covered through discussions on Arihant and Siddha.
  • Samyakt Darshan, Samyakt Gyan, Samyak Charitra (Right Belief, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct): These three pillars of Jainism are explained as essential for spiritual progress and liberation.
  • Jainism (Jain): Defines what it means to be Jain as one who has conquered ignorance and emotions like attachment and aversion through self-knowledge.
  • Karma: Explains that karma is non-soul matter and that suffering arises from the soul's own ignorance, not directly from karma.
  • Lord Mahavir: Provides a biographical sketch of Lord Mahavir, highlighting his life, enlightenment, and teachings.
  • Ethical Teachings: Includes chapters on good advice, things to do and not to do, and general moral conduct.
  • Devotion and Practice: Encourages prayer, chanting, and contemplation.
• Pedagogical Approach: The book emphasizes understanding the "essence" (भाव) of each lesson through practice and illustrations, rather than rote memorization.
• Multilingual Support: The book has been translated into multiple languages, indicating its wide appeal and educational value.
• Commitment to Accuracy: The publishers request feedback on any errors to improve the accuracy of the electronic versions.

Overall Purpose:

The "Jain Balpothi" serves as an introductory guide to Jain philosophy and practices for children. It aims to instill a strong foundation of Jain values, encouraging them to understand their true self (the soul), practice righteousness, and ultimately strive for spiritual liberation (Moksh), following the path shown by Lord Mahavir. The book emphasizes a life of purity, knowledge, and virtuous conduct.