Acharanga Sutram Mul Sahit

This is a comprehensive summary of the "Acharanga Sutram Mul Sahit," as presented in the provided text:

Book Title: Acharanga Sutra Mul Sahit (with Gujarati translation) Author: Professor Ravjibhai Devraj, assisted by Jain Scholars Publisher: Jain Printing Press, Ahmedabad Year of Publication: 1902 (Samvat 1958)

Overall Purpose and Context:

The Acharanga Sutra is presented as the first and foremost scripture in the Jain tradition, forming the foundational text of the "Jain Dharma." It primarily outlines the conduct and discipline required for ascetics (monks) to achieve spiritual liberation. The text emphasizes a deep understanding of the universe, the soul, karma, and the meticulous avoidance of harm to all living beings. The Gujarati translation aims to make these profound teachings accessible to a wider audience.

Key Themes and Content:

The summary reveals the following key aspects of the Acharanga Sutra, organized by its structure as presented in the index:

Shrutskandha Pēhlo (First Division):

• Nine Chapters (Adhyayans): This division contains nine chapters, each focusing on a crucial aspect of Jain asceticism:

  1. Shastra Parigraha (Understanding of Weapons): Focuses on the nature of the soul and the causes of karma accumulation. It details the concept of "weapons" as internal afflictions of the mind, speech, and body that lead to karma bondage. The text stresses the need to understand and abandon these.
  2. Lokavijaya (Conquest of the World): Deals with overcoming worldly attachments, including parents, relatives, and material possessions. It explains the bondage of eight types of karma and how to sever them.
  3. Shitoshniya (Hot and Cold): Emphasizes the importance of equanimity in enduring dualities like heat and cold, pleasure and pain, and overcoming internal passions (kashayas).
  4. Samyaktva (Right Faith): Focuses on the steadfastness and unwavering nature of Right Faith, which is considered essential for spiritual progress.
  5. Lokasara (Essence of the World): Identifies the true essence of the world as knowledge, perception, and conduct (the three jewels of Jainism), urging practitioners to strive for these.
  6. Dhuta (Renunciation): Highlights the need for monks to be detached and unbound, renouncing all possessions and attachments.
  7. Mahaparijna (Great Knowledge): Addresses the endurance of hardships and afflictions (parishaha) that ascetics may encounter while practicing restraint.
  8. Vimoksha (Liberation): Details the proper conduct and death rituals for a virtuous monk, emphasizing the attainment of liberation.
  9. Upadhana Shruta (Austerity through Sustenance): Narrates the austerities practiced by Lord Mahavir, encouraging monks to follow his example.

• Uddeshas (Sections within Chapters): Each chapter is further divided into sections, detailing specific principles and practices. For instance, the first chapter covers:

  • The nature of the soul and karma bondage.
  • The avoidance of violence towards Earth-bodied (Prithvi-kaya), Water-bodied (Apa-kaya), Fire-bodied (Teju-kaya), Air-bodied (Vayu-kaya), and mobile beings (Trasa-kaya).
  • The spiritual significance of observing vows and austerities.

Shrutskandha Bījo (Second Division):

• Sixteen Chapters (Adhyayans): This division contains sixteen chapters, further organized into four "Chulikas" (sub-divisions). It delves into more practical and detailed aspects of monastic life.
  • Pindeshana (Alms-Seeking): Meticulous rules regarding the collection and consumption of alms, emphasizing purity and non-violence in the process. It details what kind of food is acceptable and what is not, including specific restrictions on food items and how they are prepared or offered.
  • Shayya (Shelter/Resting Place): Rules for choosing and using shelters, considering factors like cleanliness, safety, and suitability for meditation and practice.
  • Irya (Movement/Conduct): Principles of careful and mindful movement to avoid harming any living beings, emphasizing the importance of careful steps and awareness of the surroundings.
  • Bhashajata (Speech): Guidelines for right speech, advocating for truthful, non-harmful, and beneficial communication, and avoiding gossip, slander, and harsh words.
  • Vastra (Clothing): Rules regarding the selection, use, and maintenance of clothing for ascetics, emphasizing simplicity and non-attachment.
  • Patra (Alms Bowl): Guidelines for selecting and using alms bowls, prioritizing simplicity and suitability.
  • Avagraha Pratima (Vow of Refusal/Avoidance): Principles related to refusing or avoiding certain actions, places, or interactions that might compromise monastic discipline.
  • Nishithika (Night Vigil/Rules): Focuses on conduct during the night, including rules for sleeping, meditation, and avoiding harm to nocturnal beings.
  • Uchchar Prashravana (Excretion/Bodily Functions): Rules for the proper and hygienic disposal of bodily waste, ensuring minimal harm to the environment and living beings.
  • Shabda (Sound): Guidance on right hearing, avoiding attachment to pleasant sounds and indifference to unpleasant ones, and cultivating mindful listening.
  • Rupa (Form/Sight): Principles of right sight, advising against being swayed by desirable forms or repelled by undesirable ones, and maintaining equanimity.
  • Parakriya (Action of Others): How to conduct oneself when others perform actions that might involve potential harm or are contrary to monastic vows.
  • Anyonkriya (Mutual Actions): Principles of conduct when interacting with fellow ascetics.
  • Prakrit Chintana (Reflection on Nature): This appears to be related to reflecting on the nature of the world and its impermanence.
  • Chitta-Samadhi (Concentration of Mind): The importance of mental focus and concentration for spiritual progress.
  • Vimukti (Liberation): The ultimate goal of Jainism, achieved through right conduct and the eradication of karma.

Key Concepts Highlighted:

• Ahimsa (Non-violence): This is the paramount principle permeating the entire text, from food consumption to movement and speech. The Acharanga Sutra details how even seemingly innocuous actions can involve harm if not performed with utmost mindfulness.
• Karma: The text explains the concept of karma bondage and the role of actions, intentions, and passions in accumulating karma, which obstructs liberation.
• Asceticism (Brahmacharya/Sanyama): The Sutra provides detailed guidelines for the monastic path, covering every aspect of an ascetic's life to ensure strict adherence to vows and principles.
• Mindfulness and Awareness: A constant emphasis is placed on being mindful of one's actions, thoughts, and speech to prevent harm and cultivate detachment.
• Equanimity: The importance of remaining balanced and detached in the face of dualities like pleasure/pain, heat/cold, praise/blame.
• Renunciation: The necessity of renouncing worldly possessions, attachments, and desires for the sake of spiritual liberation.
• Study and Understanding: The text itself is a guide for study, and the importance of understanding the scriptures correctly, including the nuances of language and intent, is stressed.
• The Five Great Vows (Mahavratas): While not explicitly listed as a separate section, the principles underlying the Mahavratas (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha) are woven throughout the teachings.
• The Five Bhavanas (Reflections/Meditations): The text mentions five specific Bhavanas that are crucial for ascetic practice, likely relating to the Mahavratas.
• Purity of Conduct: The Acharanga Sutra meticulously details how to maintain purity in all aspects of life, from eating and drinking to moving and speaking, ensuring that no harm comes to any living being.

Significance of the Gujarati Translation:

The preface and introduction highlight the translator's motivation to make the sacred texts accessible to the Gujarati-speaking community. It acknowledges the potential for misinterpretation due to the complex nature of the original Prakrit and Sanskrit texts and the limitations of translation, while expressing hope for wider dissemination and understanding of Jain philosophy. The text also touches upon the historical context of the compilation of Jain Agamas.

The "Parishrama Mimamsa" Section:

This section addresses a specific controversy concerning the interpretation of certain verses in the Acharanga Sutra that were allegedly misinterpreted by Western scholars (like Hermann Jacobi) to suggest that ancient Jains practiced meat-eating. This section, authored by scholars Nemivijayji and Anandasagarji, vehemently refutes this claim, providing detailed scriptural arguments and interpretations to prove that Jain ascetics strictly adhered to vegetarianism and the non-consumption of meat, often explaining seemingly ambiguous words in the original text as referring to plant-based substances or ritualistic non-consumption.

Overall Impression:

The Acharanga Sutra, as presented in this volume, is an exhaustive guide to the ascetic way of life in Jainism. It is a text that demands immense discipline, mindfulness, and renunciation, aiming to cultivate a state of being where all actions are aligned with the principle of non-violence and the pursuit of liberation. The translation and commentary aim to illuminate these principles for a modern audience.