Acharopadesh

The provided text is the Jain scripture titled "Acharopadesh" (આચારopદેશ), authored by Muni Shri Charitrasundargani, disciple of Acharya Shri Ratnasinhsurishwarji, and re-edited by Acharya Shri Vijaykirtiyashsurishwarji Maharaj. It is published by the Pukhraj Raichand Parivar. The book, originally in Sanskrit, is presented with a Gujarati translation and explanation.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the content, chapter by chapter:

Overall Purpose:

The primary aim of "Acharopadesh" is to guide lay Jains (Shravaks and Shravikas) on the proper conduct and rituals according to Jain principles. It details the daily routine and ethical practices that a householder should follow to progress on the spiritual path. The book emphasizes the importance of adherence to dharma, reverence for spiritual teachers, and meticulous observance of rituals, even in daily life.

Summary of Chapters:

• Page 5: Introduction (Prastavikam - પ્રાસ્તાવિકમ)

  • The book's name "Acharopadesh" is appropriate as it teaches the conduct of Shravakas.
  • Its specialty lies in its sutra-style composition, covering each part of the day with clear and concise teachings.
  • Despite being in Sanskrit, it's described as simple, elegant, and adherent to Jain principles.
  • It's considered beneficial in an era where adherence to conduct is declining.
  • The Gujarati translation is provided for wider accessibility.
  • The book was originally compiled with a commentary by Dosshi Talakshi Pitamber, but a new translation has been done for contemporary relevance.
  • The publication was inspired by the aspiration to spread righteous conduct and was made possible with the blessings of Acharya Shri Vijaygunyashsurishwarji Maharaj and Acharya Shri Vijaykirtiyashsurishwarji Maharaj.

• Pages 6-19: First Chapter (Pratham Varg - પહેલો વર્ગ)

  • Invocation: Starts with obeisance to the Supreme Soul, the ultimate light.
  • The Path to Liberation: Highlights that true happiness is in Moksha (liberation), achieved through meditation, mental purity, victory over passions (kashayas), conquest of senses (indriya jaya), and righteous conduct (sadachar), all stemming from virtuous teachings (upadesh).
  • The Value of Human Birth: Stresses the rarity and importance of human life, urging its use for dharma.
  • The Power of Dharma: Explains that dharma, whether heard, seen, done, caused, or approved, purifies seven generations.
  • The Three Aims of Life: Emphasizes that life without dharma, artha (wealth), and kama (desire) is like an animal's life; dharma is superior as artha and kama are attained through it.
  • The Importance of Right Faith and Gurus: States that after acquiring human birth, right faith in Jinavachana (teachings of Jinas) and the guidance of a true guru are rare and valuable.
  • The Role of Conduct: Compares the importance of conduct to fragrance in a flower, ghee in food, and justice for a king.
  • Morning Routine:
    • Wake up in the Brahmamuhurta (pre-dawn hours).
    • Recite the Panch Parameshthi Stuti (Navkar Mantra).
    • Step out of bed with the correct foot first.
    • Change clothes and meditate on the Pancha Namaskara.
    • Recite the Navkar Mantra in a pure place, facing East or North.
  • The Efficacy of the Navkar Mantra: States that meditating on the Navkar Mantra purifies from all sins, regardless of one's state.
  • Proper Recitation: Differentiates between excellent (using mudra, focus), moderate (using a rosary), and inferior (without concentration, place, or number) japa.
  • After Rituals: After performing necessary rituals (Avashyak), one should offer auspicious prayers.
  • Maha Mangala Prayers: Recites verses invoking the auspiciousness of Lord Mahavir, Gautam Swami, Sthulibhadra, the Jain dharma, and other revered figures and deities.
  • Temple Visit: Describes the proper way to visit the temple, performing circumambulations and avoiding specific actions within the temple.
  • Temple Etiquette: Lists actions to be avoided in the temple such as boasting, laughing, spitting, quarreling, gossiping, and consuming food.
  • Temple Offerings: Details the offerings to be made to the deity.
  • Purity: Emphasizes the seven types of purity required during worship (mind, speech, body, clothes, ground, utensils, steadfastness).
  • Dress Code: Advises against wearing the opposite gender's clothes during worship.
  • Eight-fold Worship (Ashta Prakari Puja): Describes the worship with sandalwood, flowers, incense, lamps, offerings, etc.
  • Rules for Flowers: Specifies how flowers should be treated (not broken, not from the ground, not touched by the impure).
  • Business Conduct: Advises on honest trade, avoiding deceitful practices, and engaging in righteous professions.
  • Financial Prudence: Encourages saving and investing wisely, avoiding unnecessary expenses.
  • Daily Discipline: Summarizes the daily conduct for a Shravak, emphasizing righteousness, wisdom, and service.

• Pages 20-44: Second Chapter (Dwitiya Varg - બીજો વર્ગ)

  • Morning Bath: Describes the proper way to bathe, emphasizing the use of pure water and avoiding harm to subtle organisms.
  • When to Bathe the Head: Specifies circumstances for a full bath (head included) and when only the body needs washing.
  • Purity of the Head: Explains why the head is considered naturally pure.
  • Water Usage: Warns against wasting water and harming organisms while bathing.
  • Temple Entrance: Describes the process of entering the temple, washing feet, changing clothes, and wearing a mouth covering (mukhavastrika).
  • Purity in Worship: Reiterates the importance of various purities for worship.
  • Abhisheka and Puja: Details the ritual bathing of the deity and the eight-fold worship.
  • Temple Etiquette: Continues with rules for behavior in the temple, including bowing and circumambulating.
  • Dietary Rules: Discusses what to eat and avoid, with specific mentions of pure food and the prohibition of certain items.
  • Mealtimes and Etiquette: Defines different qualities of meals (Raksasa, Manusha, Deva bhojana) based on conduct and circumstances.
  • Mona (Silence): Advises maintaining silence during specific activities like eating, excretion, and oral hygiene.
  • Prohibited Times and Directions: Lists times and directions to avoid for eating and other activities.
  • Charitable Acts: Encourages charity but cautions against giving in a way that is unmindful or extravagant.
  • Food Restrictions: Specifies foods to avoid, including those that are contaminated, mixed with living beings, or prepared incorrectly.
  • Daily Habits: Covers various aspects of daily life, including avoiding excessive sleeping, proper hygiene, and not being hasty.

• Pages 45-64: Third Chapter (Tritiya Varg - ત્રીજો વર્ગ)

  • Home Life: Advises spending time at home with family, imparting wisdom, and engaging in discussions.
  • Qualities for Spiritual Progress: Highlights the importance of possessing virtues like wisdom, courage, compassion, righteousness, and contentment.
  • The Power of Virtues: Emphasizes that virtues elevate a person, irrespective of birth or lineage, comparing it to a lotus rising above mud.
  • Qualities of a Virtuous Person: Lists qualities such as a pure heart, gentleness, attractiveness, loving nature, compassion, impartiality, generosity, and gratitude.
  • Avoiding Vikuathas (Idle Talk): Strongly advises against discussing royalty, unrighteous deeds, women, and food.
  • Association: Recommends avoiding the company of the wicked, irreligious, greedy, thieves, and those who are enemies of dharma.
  • Business Ethics: Reiterates the importance of honesty in transactions, avoiding counterfeit measures, and engaging in ethically sound professions.
  • Prohibited Professions: Lists professions to be avoided due to their harmful nature (e.g., dealing with iron, honey, liquor, poison, meat, etc.).
  • Seasonal Prohibitions: Advises on what to avoid during specific seasons (e.g., certain grains during monsoon).
  • Dealing with Money: Discusses proper ways to earn, save, and spend money, emphasizing righteousness and avoiding usury.
  • Respect for Authority and Teachers: Advises respecting kings and rulers, and never angering spiritual teachers, physicians, scholars, or one's own elders.
  • Ethical Conduct: Warns against causing excessive hardship, transgressing dharma, serving the unworthy, and betraying trust.
  • Integrity of Word: Emphasizes keeping one's word, both in giving and receiving.
  • Financial Prudence: Advises against taking loans for religious purposes and suggests investing in property.
  • Avoiding Association with Criminals: Recommends avoiding any dealings with thieves and fraudulent people.
  • Honesty in Sales: Emphasizes truthful dealings and not misappropriating deposits.
  • Prudence in Business: Advises against speculative deals, especially with precious metals and gems.
  • Seeking Royal Patronage: Suggests seeking support from the king without becoming subservient.
  • Respecting the Wise: Advises respecting and not offending scholars, ascetics, physicians, etc.
  • Principles of Conduct: Summarizes principles for a balanced and righteous life.

• Pages 45-54: Fourth Chapter (Chaturth Varg - ચોથો વર્ગ)

  • Evening Rituals: Describes the evening routine of washing and performing worship.
  • Importance of Action: Stresses that true spiritual progress comes from performing actions (kriya), not just knowledge.
  • Performing Avashyak: Advises performing daily rituals (Avashyak), especially in the absence of a guru, using appropriate substitutes.
  • Adherence to Time: Emphasizes performing religious duties at the prescribed times.
  • Timeliness of Rituals: Explains that performing rituals out of time can be fruitless, like sowing seeds in barren land.
  • Precision in Rituals: Warns that incorrect performance of rituals can lead to negative consequences.
  • Serving Gurus: Highlights the merit of serving gurus and performing necessary rituals after them.
  • Evening Meal: Advises on the timing of the evening meal (before sunset) and the associated rituals.
  • Prohibitions in Evening: Lists activities to be avoided in the evening (eating, conjugal relations, excessive sleep, and scripture study).
  • Consequences of Evening Activities: Explains the negative outcomes of engaging in these activities in the evening.
  • Evening Fasting: Recommends practicing fasting or limiting intake in the evening.
  • Night Eating: Strongly condemns eating at night and lists the rebirths associated with it.
  • Prohibitions at Night: Lists rituals and activities that are not to be performed at night.
  • Consequences of Daily Conduct: Concludes by stating that a person who lives virtuously throughout the day attains eternal happiness.

• Pages 53-58: Fifth Chapter (Pancham Varg - પાંચમો વર્ગ)

  • Value of Human Life: Reinforces the preciousness of human birth and its potential for spiritual achievement.
  • Continuous Dharma: Emphasizes the importance of engaging in dharma (charity, meditation, penance, study) daily to ensure happiness.
  • Karma and Rebirth: Explains how one's actions in the latter part of life or at the time of death influence future births.
  • Observing Festivals: Highlights the spiritual benefits of observing specific festival days (e.g., Ekadashi, Dwadashi, Trayodashi, Chaturdashi) and the importance of penances during these times.
  • The Five Sacred Days: Details the significance of the fifth day of the lunar fortnight (Panchami) and its associated penances and benefits.
  • Eight-day Observance: Explains the importance of observing Ashtami (eighth day) for the destruction of karmas.
  • Eleventh Day Observance: Discusses the significance of Ekadashi and the eleven stages of Shravak pratimas.
  • Fourteenth Day Observance: Mentions the benefits of observing Chaturdashi and its connection to the fourteen Purvas.
  • Penances and Celebrations: Describes various penances and festivals, including Pavri (observing fasts on auspicious days), Panchmi tapas, and their outcomes.
  • Chaitri and Pavri: Mentions the significance of Chaitri (observance during Chaitra month) and Pavri.
  • The Importance of Shravan: Highlights the merit of listening to scriptures like the Kalpa Sutra.
  • The Greatness of Kalpa Sutra: Declares Kalpa Sutra as the supreme scripture, embodying the essence of dharma.
  • Remembering Great Souls: Advises remembering Lord Mahavir and Gautam Swami on specific auspicious days.
  • Diwali Observance: Details specific practices for Diwali, including fasting and remembering gurus.
  • Temple Worship and Charity: Encourages temple worship and offering charity during auspicious times.
  • The Fruits of Dharma: Concludes by stating that a virtuous Shravak who follows these practices attains worldly pleasures and liberation.

• Pages 59-64: Sixth Chapter (Shashtho Varg - છઠ્ઠો વર્ગ)

  • Dharma and Detachment: Reasserts that performing dharma leads to detachment from worldly activities.
  • Gratitude and Dharma: Warns against forsaking dharma after achieving prosperity, equating it to betraying one's benefactor.
  • The Four Pillars of Dharma: Reemphasizes the fourfold path of dharma: Dana (charity), Shila (virtuous conduct), Tapa (penance), and Bhava (devotion/meditation).
  • The Nature of Giving: Advises giving according to one's capacity, not based on desire for great returns.
  • Benefits of Giving: Explains how giving knowledge, protection, food, and medicine brings happiness and freedom from suffering.
  • Fame vs. Purity: States that true fame comes from punya (merit), not just from giving, and that giving for fame is considered a weakness.
  • Investment of Wealth: Outlines how wealth can multiply through various means, with the greatest return coming from giving to worthy recipients.
  • Seven Fields for Investment: Lists the seven fields (temple, idol, scriptures, Sangha, sadhus, sadhvis, shravaks/shravikas) where one should invest wealth for maximum benefit.
  • Building Temples: Highlights the immense merit of building temples and the divine rewards for doing so.
  • Idol Worship: Explains the spiritual benefits of creating and worshipping idols of Jinas.
  • The Value of Scriptures: Underscores the importance of scriptures as the root of dharma and the means to liberation, encouraging their reading, writing, and listening.
  • Merit of Copying Scriptures: Details the divine rewards for copying and distributing scriptures.
  • Knowledge and Liberation: States that those who practice devotion to knowledge and understanding attain the state of Kevali (omniscient beings).
  • Vatsalya (Affection): Emphasizes the importance of cultivating affection towards fellow Jains (Saumana) for spiritual progress, contrasting it with affection for family, which can increase worldly entanglement.
  • Annual Sangha Puja: Advises performing annual worship of the Sangha with devotion and offering pure clothes to gurus.
  • Charity: Encourages offering essential items like lodging, food, water, utensils, and medicine to those in need, according to one's capacity.
  • The Virtue of Giving: Explains that giving to worthy recipients increases prosperity, unlike hoarding.
  • The Fruits of Giving: Contrasts the outcome of giving with consumption, stating that what is given becomes imperishable.
  • Purpose of Wealth: Emphasizes that the true purpose of acquired wealth is to use it for dharma and charity.
  • Success in Life: Concludes that a Shravak who uses wealth in these seven fields achieves success in this life and the next.

Overall Message:

"Acharopadesh" is a comprehensive guide for Jains, detailing the spiritual discipline required in daily life. It stresses the importance of adherence to principles, proper conduct, devotion to the Jinavachana, reverence for gurus, and the performing of righteous deeds. It serves as a manual for living a life dedicated to spiritual growth and liberation, emphasizing that true happiness lies in the practice of dharma.