Mahavir Vani Lecture 02 Mangal Va Lokottam Ki Bhavna - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of Osho Rajnish's lecture "Mahavir Vani Lecture 02: Mangal va Lokottam ki Bhavna," based on the provided Jain text:

This lecture, delivered by Osho Rajnish, delves into the Jain concepts of "Mangal" (auspiciousness) and "Lokottam" (transcendent, supreme in the world). It draws heavily from Mahavir's teachings, emphasizing the power of bhava (attitude or intention) and dharna (concentration, holding an idea) as the foundation for spiritual progress.

Core Concepts and Teachings:

The Power of Intention and Visualization: Mahavir taught that to achieve something, one must first begin to visualize and conceptualize it. We can only attain what we make space for in our hearts. This involves developing a strong bhava or aspiration towards the desired goal, whether it's becoming an Arihant, Siddha, or achieving the state of a Sadhu. This aspiration naturally leads to desire and action.
The Principle of "Mangal" (Auspiciousness): The lecture begins with the Jain Mangal Sutra: "Arihanta Mangalam, Siddha Mangalam, Sadhu Mangalam, Kevalipannatto Dhammo Mangalam" (Arihants are auspicious, Siddhas are auspicious, Sadhus are auspicious, and the Dharma proclaimed by the Kevalis is auspicious). Osho emphasizes that chanting these auspicious entities instills a mangala bhava in the prana sharira (life-force body), acting as seeds for positive transformation.
"Lokottam" (Transcendent/Supreme): The lecture then expands on the concept of Lokottam: "Arihanta Lokuttam, Siddha Lokuttam, Sadhu Lokuttam, Kevalipannatto Dhammo Lokuttam" (Arihants are supreme in the world, Siddhas are supreme in the world, Sadhus are supreme in the world, and the Dharma proclaimed by the Kevalis is supreme in the world). Lokottam signifies the highest attainable state or being.
The "Superior Physician" Analogy and Ancient Chinese Medicine: Osho draws a parallel to an ancient Chinese saying, predating Mahavir by 2500 years (around 5000 years ago), attributed to Lao Tzu. This saying states that a superior physician cures illness before it manifests, while an inferior one only treats existing ailments. He then elaborates on a remarkable ancient Chinese medical practice where physicians were paid not to let people fall ill, and were fined if their patients did. This preventive approach is linked to acupuncture, which posits a vital life-force energy ("prana" or "vital current") flowing through the body at specific points. Imbalances in this energy, detectable six months before physical symptoms, are the root of illness. This highlights a profound understanding of subtle energies and the importance of maintaining a healthy inner state.
The Power of Dharna (Concentration/Holding an Idea): Osho places immense importance on dharna, calling it the sixth limb of Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga and the first limb of Mahavir's yoga. He argues that profound dharna transforms not only the individual but also their surroundings. Our thoughts and attitudes (dharna) affect us, and critically, the dharna of those around us also influences us. This underscores the significance of satsang (association with the wise or virtuous) and maintaining positive mental environments.
The "Wolf Messing" Phenomenon and Telepathic Transmission: The lecture extensively narrates the extraordinary story of Wolf Messing, a man with remarkable telepathic abilities. Messing's ability to influence others' thoughts, and even seemingly manifest reality through sheer willpower and intention (e.g., convincing a ticket checker a piece of scrap paper was a ticket, or making a bank teller give him a large sum of money through thought alone), is presented as scientific proof of the power of dharna and mental transmission. Messing's experiences, including his astonishing feats under Stalin's interrogation, highlight how focused intention can bypass material laws and manifest outcomes.
The Scientific Basis of Dharna: Osho connects these historical and anecdotal accounts to modern scientific understanding. He mentions research in Russia on acupuncture and the possibility of a "psychic power" becoming the ultimate weapon in warfare, capable of influencing even those with atomic bombs. He also cites research suggesting that the posterior part of the brain holds significantly more power than the anterior part, and that individuals with exceptional mental abilities possess a vastly amplified posterior brain. He notes that negative thoughts (like murder or theft) originate in the anterior brain, while positive actions (like helping others) are linked to the posterior brain, suggesting nature has endowed us with more capacity for good.
The Nature of the "Kevali" and "Dharma": Osho explains the Jain concept of a Kevali as one who has attained keval jnana (absolute knowledge), a state where the knower, the known, and knowing itself merge into pure consciousness, a source-less light. This pure, unconditioned state is "Dharma." He contrasts this with conventional notions of religion, emphasizing that in Jainism, Dharma is the intrinsic nature (swabhav) of a thing. The Dharma of a Kevali is their very way of being – their life, actions, and even their breath, all pure and uninfluenced by external factors. He uses the analogy of pure fire producing no smoke, signifying a state free from impurities.
The Democratic Nature of Jain Divinity: A key point is Mahavir's view of divinity. Unlike other religions that often propose a single, aristocratic God, Mahavir's perspective is democratic: every soul is inherently divine. The path to divinity is about realizing this inherent nature. God, for Mahavir, is not the creator at the beginning of the universe but the ultimate realization at the end of one's journey – the Lokottam state of being.
The Importance of the Unconscious Mind: The lecture stresses that our conscious mind is only a small part of our being. The unconscious mind is vast and records everything. Scientific experiments, like those of Dr. Raj Dek, show that the unconscious can understand any language, even when the conscious mind is unaware. This is analogous to how Mahavir's teachings were received telepathically by those deeply attuned.
The "Book vs. Experience" Dichotomy: Osho criticizes the reliance on scriptures alone, stating that Mahavir's true teachings are not in the books but in the direct experience of the Kevali. He emphasizes that true understanding comes from connecting with the Kevali directly, not through intermediaries or written texts, which can become rigid and limiting.
The Price of the Ultimate: Finally, the lecture concludes by reiterating that to attain the Lokottam state (Arihant, Siddha, Sadhu, Kevalipannatto Dharma), one must be willing to pay a significant price – ultimately, to surrender oneself. This is why the repetition of these auspicious phrases is crucial; even without full understanding, it creates impressions and opens a pathway for future connection. The lecture serves as an invitation to cultivate the bhava of auspiciousness and transcendence, recognizing that the journey begins with a simple but profound intention.