Aapni Shrut Pratyeni Jawabdari

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Aapni Shrut Pratyeni Jawabdari" (Our Responsibility Towards Our Scripture) by Sukhlal Sanghavi, in English:

Our Responsibility Towards Our Scripture

This text, authored by Sukhlal Sanghavi, delves into the crucial topic of the Jain community's responsibility towards its scriptures (Shrut). It asserts that the existence of any religious tradition, including Jainism, hinges on three primary pillars: the scriptures themselves, the renunciates and scholars who uphold them, and the sacred places that commemorate revered figures. The focus of this discussion is on the scriptures.

Understanding the Roots of Our Tradition

The author begins by posing critical questions about our current engagement with our scriptures: our duties, our level of awareness, our negligence, and the potential wastage of our efforts. He observes a common tendency among Jains to express dissatisfaction with the present state of affairs and propose remedies, often without deeply investigating the historical roots of these strengths and weaknesses. This often leads to an idealized view of the past, portraying it as flawless and the present as a deviation due to our own failings. This perspective hinders a true understanding of the past and prevents effective, foundational reform.

The Necessity of Faith and Reason in the Pursuit of Truth

Sanghavi argues that we lack complete and pure tools to understand the true state of the past. While existing fragmented and sometimes distorted sources allow for an approximation of our scriptural tradition, approaching them solely with one-sided devotion or unsubstantiated reasoning is problematic. Pure faith can lead to an uncritical acceptance of everything as perfect, obscuring existing flaws and their historical lineage. Conversely, hasty reasoning and a desire for immediate reform can lead to the dismissal of the past as entirely lacking, advocating for a complete restart. Both extremes are obstacles to truth-seeking and decision-making.

The author poses rhetorical questions: If the past was so perfect, how did we become flawed in the present? Did external factors cause this decline without reason? Similarly, if the past was worthless, how has Jainism preserved its scriptures to this day? The answer, he suggests, is that the pursuit of truth requires both faith (patience, devotion, and respect) and reason (logic and argumentation). By using logic to examine the scriptures with faith, we can shed light on the distant past.

Our Scriptural Heritage and Past Efforts

The text highlights that the responsibility towards scriptures is not a new concern; our ancestors also pondered this and made efforts within their historical contexts, contributing to the unique heritage we possess. The author emphasizes the dedication of ancestors in preserving scriptures in times without the conveniences of printing, paper, or even widespread palm-leaf manuscripts. They faced destructive forces, both human and natural, yet diligently worked to preserve and enhance our scriptural wealth. This inherent dedication, he believes, is ingrained in every Jain and is the reason for the continued efforts of various Jain sects in scriptural preservation and propagation. While acknowledging the influence of neighboring traditions, he asserts that without an inherited devotion to scriptures, external influences alone could not have sustained these efforts.

Our Inherited Shortcomings

Despite this inherited strength, the author points out that certain flaws or deficiencies have also been passed down. He urges readers not to ignore these inherited weaknesses, as they hinder progress. While the strengths can be elaborated upon, the focus for responsibility lies in understanding and addressing the present-day obstacles posed by these inherited flaws.

Historical Imperfections and the Role of Schisms

The text then delves into specific historical instances, such as the council at Pataliputra during the time of Sthulabhadra. He notes the absence of Bhadrabahu, the most learned, from this crucial gathering, attributing it as a significant oversight. The author suggests that this pattern of separate efforts by different monastic groups (Digambara, Shvetambara, Sthanakavasi, Terapanthi) has led to a fragmentation of responsibility and a dilution of the collective effort towards preserving Jain scriptures. He observes that while each sect diligently preserves its own understanding of the scriptures, this "compartmentalization" has led to the loss of universally accepted and widely beneficial scriptural endeavors.

He criticizes the tendency of each sect to glorify its own achievements while blaming the "times" (famines, decline in memory and lifespan) for any losses. He contrasts this with the preservation of Buddhist and Vedic scriptures, questioning why Jain scriptures suffered comparatively more.

The Habit of Exaggerating Minor Differences

Sanghavi identifies a core issue as the Jain ascetics' tendency to magnify minor differences of opinion into major, insurmountable divisions. This prevented unity on matters of scriptural preservation. He contrasts this with the modern understanding of individuals maintaining their beliefs while collaborating for common good. The author attributes the decline not solely to external "time" factors but to the "mental weakness" of responsible leaders. This weakness, he contends, has been inherited, preventing the strengthening of Jainism's responsibility towards its scriptures and its implementation. The historical trend shows a development of divisive tendencies rather than unifying ones, leading scholars and ascetics to remain neutral or create separate camps instead of cooperating.

The Value of Our Surviving Scriptures and the Need for Modern Scholarship

Despite these historical challenges, the author acknowledges that a significant and valuable body of Jain scriptures has survived. These scriptures offer insights into pre-Mahavir periods, philosophical knowledge, societal conditions, religious practices, and language. He stresses that these scriptures, even with their adaptations and translations, retain their core importance. He notes that foreign scholars like Weber and Jacobi, as well as non-Jain Indian scholars, have recognized the importance of Jain literature and dedicated significant portions of their lives to its study.

However, he observes a disconnect: despite an inherited devotion to these scriptures, Jains seem to lack a modern understanding of their responsibility towards them.

Inter-Sectarian Neglect and the Call for Unity

The text identifies a pervasive tendency of each Jain sect to remain confined within its own sphere, fostering narrow perspectives and prejudices against other sects. This has led to a situation where scriptures from one sect are viewed with suspicion or indifference by another. For instance, Digambaras may dismiss as trivial what European scholars have identified as important details in Jain scriptures, while Shvetambaras might fail to appreciate the scriptural contributions of scholars like Kundakunda or Samantabhadra. This sectarianism has also impacted the Sthanakavasi tradition, leading to a limited view of scripture, which has been inherited by the Terapanth sect.

This historical pattern has rendered the innate devotion of Jains towards their scriptures "blind" and detached from contemporary duties.

The Dawn of a New Era: The Role of Modern Scholarship and Effort

The author then shifts focus to the modern era, marked by the introduction of Jain scriptures to Europe and the subsequent scholarly research. He notes the emergence of Western thought and its methodologies, inspiring a desire within India to shed light on Jain scriptures in new ways. He highlights the efforts to print Agamas and other scriptures by both Shvetambara and Digambara traditions.

A significant turning point mentioned is the endeavor of Shri Sagar Anand Suri, who, despite initial opposition, recognized the shifting times and spearheaded the publication of scriptures. The author notes that Sagar Suri undertook this monumental task largely single-handedly, with limited direct support from highly qualified or influential ascetics. His efforts, however, sparked a reawakening across all Jain sects, leading to individual initiatives in scriptural publication.

Meeting the Demands of the Times: A Call for a Broader Perspective

Sanghavi emphasizes that the demands of the current times are different. As Western ideas and methods become more familiar, there's a growing desire to present Jain scriptures in novel ways, mirroring the objectivity and broad perspective of European scholarship. This ambition has led to scattered efforts across various Jain sects and institutions.

He asserts that the time has come for a new perspective and a different approach to publishing and reconstructing Jain scriptures. The primary responsibility today lies in overcoming inherited narrow-mindedness and satisfying this newfound consciousness.

Utilizing Available Resources and Fostering Inquisitiveness

The author identifies the "prepared groundwork" as the availability of resources and knowledge for scholarly engagement with Jain scriptures. He states that the material for studying and publishing Jain scriptures, which was once unknown or inaccessible, is now significantly more available. Nearly all Jain manuscript collections have been explored, and ancient manuscripts are now accessible. Furthermore, relevant Buddhist and Brahmanical scriptural materials, crucial for the editing and publication of Jain scriptures, are also readily available in various forms, including Pali Canons, Mahayana literature, and their translations, as well as Vedic and Upanishadic texts. The ancient texts of Zoroastrianism (Avesta) are also accessible, bearing historical connections to Jain practices.

Beyond textual materials, there is a growing pool of scholars, both within Jain monastic orders and among lay individuals, as well as academics in universities and research institutions, who are deeply interested in the study and publication of Jain scriptures. These individuals can provide valuable assistance.

The Need for a Unified, Inquisitive Approach

The author stresses that the approach to editing, publishing, and reconstructing Jain scriptures should be driven by a desire to satisfy burgeoning curiosity. Jain scriptures, once studied primarily within the Jain tradition from a religious or devotional perspective, have now become subjects of inquiry in other traditions as well. Their scope has expanded to academic institutions worldwide.

To meet this growing curiosity, a renewal of Jain scriptures is essential. This requires sects to relax their old prejudices and for ascetics to fully support these endeavors. The author advocates for a division of labor, where each capable scholar or ascetic contributes their part to the work, fostering an inclusive spirit. He calls for a move away from the narrow mindset of "this work belongs to a specific sect or lineage; why should we be involved?" Instead, a magnanimous attitude of collaboration is needed.

If this inclusive approach is adopted, Sanghavi believes, the envisioned renewal of Jain scriptures will be remarkably successful. Jain literature will inevitably find its place wherever scholarly study and research are conducted. Therefore, the approach must satisfy both general and high-level scholars, meeting their demands and perspectives.

The Time to Fulfill Our Responsibility

The author concludes by stating that the time has arrived and is ripe to fulfill our responsibility towards Jain scriptures. "Time's strength is with us, and the means are immeasurable." He expresses his firm belief that by embracing a broad vision and moving beyond narrow confines, we can effectively discharge our duty.

The text was presented during the Jain festival of Paryushan in Shravan 2008 (likely referring to the Gujarati calendar year).