Mahavir Vani Lecture 46 Varnbhed Janma Se Nahi Charya Se

This text is a lecture by Osho Rajnish on the Jain concept of "Varnbhed Janma se Nahi Charya se" (Caste is not by birth, but by action). The lecture emphasizes that true spiritual status, whether as a Shraman, Brahmin, Muni, or Tapasvi, is achieved through one's actions and inner qualities, not by birth or outward appearances.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and arguments:

1. True Identity is Through Action, Not Birth:

• The lecture begins by quoting a Jain scripture that refutes the notion of caste by birth. It states that shaving one's head doesn't make one a Shraman, chanting "Om" doesn't make one a Brahmin, living in a forest doesn't make one a Muni, and wearing Kusha grass clothes doesn't make one a Tapasvi.
• Instead, true Shramanhood comes from equanimity (Samata), Brahminhood from celibacy and ethical conduct (Brahmacharya), Munihood from knowledge (Gyan), and Tapasvihood from asceticism (Tapa).
• Crucially, it asserts that one becomes a Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, or Shudra by their actions (Karma). Good actions lead to a higher status, and bad actions to a lower one.

2. The Courage to Seek Truth:

• Osho highlights the immense courage required to pursue truth. This courage involves challenging established norms, questioning accepted beliefs, and dismantling revered idols.
• He stresses the importance of recognizing falsehoods, even if they are popular or traditional, and warns against conforming to the crowd simply for comfort or to avoid conflict. The crowd, he argues, rarely finds truth; it wanders in darkness.

3. The Spirit of Inquiry and Challenging Authority:

• The lecture uses the anecdote of physicist Wolfgang Pauli to illustrate the relentless pursuit of truth, even challenging the divine. Pauli, known for his ability to spot errors, reportedly presented an unfinished equation to God, insisting it was still wrong. This story emphasizes that even divine pronouncements are subject to critical inquiry for a true seeker.
• Mahavir, as a pure seeker of truth, challenged established traditions and institutions, including the Vedas and the concept of Brahminhood by birth. He believed that direct experience (Anubhuti) was supreme, not just words or scriptures.

4. Inner Revolution vs. Outer Symbols:

• A central theme is the distinction between inner transformation and outer symbols. Osho argues that people often mistake external actions or appearances for true spiritual attainment.
• He uses the example of Mahavir's nudity. While Mahavir became naked as a consequence of his inner purity and detachment, many tried to emulate his nudity externally, expecting to achieve the same inner state. This, he says, is a misunderstanding of the process.
• Similarly, wearing religious attire, shaving one's head, or performing rituals are merely external symbols that do not guarantee inner transformation. The inner revolution is paramount.

5. The Illusion of External Practices:

• The lecture critiques the tendency to judge spirituality by external practices. Going to a temple, fasting, or praying are external acts that don't necessarily reflect true religiosity. A person might go to a temple for social reasons or to project a certain image.
• He warns against hypocrisy, where people adopt outward religious practices to conceal inner unrighteousness. This leads to a superficial understanding of religion and a proliferation of false piety.

6. The Difference Between Brahmanical and Shramanic Cultures:

• Osho differentiates between the Brahmanical tradition, which emphasizes surrender (Samarpan) and devotion to the divine, and the Shramanic tradition, which emphasizes effort, self-discipline, and personal endeavor (Shram).
• In the Brahmanical view, the ego is surrendered to the divine, leading to spiritual attainment. In the Shramanic view, the ego is not surrendered but understood as non-existent through rigorous practice. True Shramanhood is achieved through "self" (Swayam), while Brahmanhood relies on "Brahma" (the Absolute).

7. The Essence of True Shramanhood and Brahmacharya:

• Mahavir's path is characterized by effort and inner transformation. His non-violence (Ahimsa) is a direct consequence of his knowledge, not a practice adopted to achieve knowledge.
• The true meaning of Brahmacharya is not just celibacy but living a life in accordance with the divine (Brahma). It's about embodying divine qualities in one's actions and behavior.
• Munihood arises from knowledge, and Tapasvihood from disciplined practice. However, this knowledge is not from scriptures but from inner experience.

8. The Dangers of Blind Imitation and External Conformity:

• The lecture criticizes the followers who blindly imitate external practices without understanding the underlying inner experience. This leads to a loss of individuality and personality.
• He uses the example of military discipline and religious orders to show how enforced uniformity can stifle individual consciousness. Soldiers become like machines, devoid of personal thought or feeling. Similarly, religious followers who rigidly adhere to external rules without inner realization become like "lakhir ke fakir" (followers of the line, i.e., blind followers).

9. The Nature of True Knowledge and Inner Stillness:

• True knowledge, according to Mahavir, arises from within and leads to inner stillness and silence of the mind. External knowledge, on the other hand, fills the intellect with words and creates agitation.
• A truly enlightened person doesn't need to "think" about where the door is; they simply walk through it because they are attuned to reality. Their intelligence is not a noisy process but an effortless knowing.

10. The True Meaning of Tapasya:

• Tapasya (asceticism) is not about inflicting self-punishment or seeking discomfort. It is the ability to endure life's difficulties with equanimity and detachment.
• True tapas is about maintaining inner balance and not being swayed by pleasure or pain. It's about accepting what comes without reaction, understanding it as a natural consequence of past actions.

11. The Concept of "Dvij" (Twice-Born):

• A "Dvij" is someone who is "twice-born." The first birth is from the mother's womb. The second, true birth, is an inner rebirth achieved through one's own effort and self-discovery. This second birth is what makes one truly awakened and capable of guiding oneself and others.

12. The Historical Context and Jainism's Internal Issues:

• The lecture touches upon the historical context of India and how Mahavir's teachings aimed to break down caste barriers.
• However, Osho laments that even within Jainism, followers have not fully lived up to Mahavir's ideals. The divide between Shwetambars and Digambars, and their refusal to open temples to each other (or to the "lower" castes), demonstrates a failure to internalize Mahavir's message of equality.

In essence, the lecture argues that:

• Spiritual liberation is an internal journey.
• Outward appearances and rituals are secondary to inner transformation.
• True wisdom lies in courage, inquiry, and challenging the status quo.
• Blind imitation and superficial practices lead to a loss of true spiritual essence.
• The ultimate goal is to live with equanimity, self-awareness, and an inner blossoming that radiates outwards.

The lecture encourages listeners to look beyond external labels and symbols and to focus on cultivating their inner being, emphasizing that true spiritual growth is a continuous process of self-discovery and action.