Acharya Tulsi Ek Sahityik Mulyankan

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Acharya Tulsi Ek Sahityik Mulyankan" by Bhanvar Surana:

This article, "Acharya Tulsi: A Literary Evaluation," by Dr. Bhanvar Surana, provides an in-depth assessment of the literary contributions of Acharya Tulsi, a prominent Jain spiritual leader and reformer. The author highlights how Acharya Tulsi embodied the humanitarian ideals of Lord Mahavir and the teachings of Buddha, particularly the directive to wander for the welfare and happiness of many ("Charat Bhikkhave Charikam Bahujan Hitay Bahujan Sukhaya").

Key Themes and Contributions:

• Spiritual Leadership and Moral Guidance: Acharya Tulsi is presented as a leader who upheld the traditions of the Jain monastic order (Sangh), its structure (Gana), and the sanctity of its head (Ganadhipati). He lived a life dedicated to the discipline, thought, movement, and conduct of a monk. Inspired by the lives and teachings of the 23rd Tirthankar, Lord Parshvanath, and the 24th Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir, Acharya Tulsi spread the message of Anuvrat (vow of limited scope) across India, fostering a commitment to ethical living and establishing the importance of faith in life.

• Extensive Literary Output: Acharya Tulsi was a prolific writer, whose literary work can be broadly categorized into three main areas:

  1. Editing of Jain Scriptures: This includes the meticulous work of purifying and presenting the ancient Jain Agamas.
  2. Literature on Jain Doctrine and Tradition: This covers works that expound Jain philosophy, ethics, and the history of his lineage.
  3. Philosophy of Life and Other Literature: This encompasses his broader philosophical reflections and writings on various aspects of life and society.

• Academic Prowess and Linguistic Skills: After receiving initiation from his guru, Acharya Kalganiji, Acharya Tulsi undertook a comprehensive study of grammar, logic, Agamic principles, philosophy, and literature. He also acquired deep knowledge of Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, and Rajasthani languages and their literatures.

• Major Sanskrit Works and Their Content:

  • Jain Siddhanta Deepika: This work elaborates on Jain ontology, defining and classifying concepts such as substances (dravya), the principles of motion and rest (dharmastikaya, adharmastikaya), space (akash), the universe (lok), soul (jiv), matter (pudgal), combination (sanyog), the non-universe (alok), atoms (paramanu), aggregates (skandha), time (kalabhed), infinite dimensions (ananta pradesh), virtue (dharma), non-virtue (adharm), modifications (paryay), principles (tattva), enjoyment (upabhog), knowledge (gyan), retention (dharana), auditory knowledge (shrutgyan), clairvoyant knowledge (avadhi-gyan), sensory knowledge (matigyan), mental knowledge (manaparyaya gyan), absolute knowledge (kevalgyan), ignorance (agyana), perception (darshan), senses (indriya), mind (man), states (bhav), and karma. It also details bondage (bandh), merit (punya), demerit (pap), influx of karma (ashrav), delusion (mithyatva), non-restraint (avirati), negligence (pramad), passions (kashay), activity (yog), karmic disposition (leshyā), restraint (samvar), right faith (samyaktva), action (karan), diligence (apramad), absence of passion (akashay), cessation of activity (ayog), karma dissolution (nirjara), penance (tapasya), liberation (moksha), the liberated (siddha, mukta), the soul (atma), right perception (samyakdarshan), right knowledge (samyakgyan), and right conduct (samyakcharitra). The text also discusses the significance of the five great vows (Pancha-Mahavratas) and their practice, along with an introduction to anuvratas, shikshavratas, the aspirations of lay followers (shravak ke manorath), introductions to deities, gurus, and dharma, and the similarities and differences between worldly religion and true religion. It also includes explanatory notes and a glossary for readers.
  • Shiksha Shannavati: In this work, Acharya Tulsi concisely explains concepts such as guru, dharma, non-violence (ahimsa), truth (satya), non-stealing (achaurya), non-possession (aparigraha), celibacy (brahmacharya), deities (dev), detachment (virakti), attachment (asakti), knowledge (gyan), faith (shraddha), self-control (sanyam), penance (tap), the three jewels (ratnatraya), the path to liberation (mokshamarga), virtues (sadgun), and syadvada (the doctrine of manifold predication) in just nine Sanskrit verses, likened to pouring the ocean into a pitcher.
  • Kartavya Trishika: This work elaborates on the duties of a monk.
  • Manonushasanam: This treatise focuses on the practice of strengthening the mind, centering on the discipline of the senses and mind.
  • Bhikshu Nyayakanika: In simple Sanskrit, Acharya Tulsi lucidly presents the principles of Jain logic. The work, in concise sutras and commentaries, is considered a significant link in the eternal chain of Nyaya (logic) literature.
  • Arhat Vandana: This includes the traditional Namaskar Mantra, Moksha Sutra, Ahimsa Sutra, Satya Sutra, Apramada Sutra, Samya Sutra, Atmavijaya Sutra, Maitri Sutra, and Mangala Sutra in their original Prakrit, with Hindi translations provided by Acharya Tulsi.

• Contribution to Agam Literature: Acharya Tulsi and his learned monastic followers significantly contributed to the editing and translation of the Agamas, which contain the comprehensive philosophy and life teachings of Lord Mahavir. They undertook the monumental task of presenting the Agamas like Acharang, Sutrakritang, Sthanang, Samavayanga, Vyakhyaprajnapti, Jñātādharmakathā, Upāsakadashā, Antakritadashā, Anuttaropapātikadaśā, Praśnavyākaraṇa, and Vipākaśruta after ensuring textual purity. This included compiling extensive Prakrit lexicons, Sanskrit shadow translations, historical accounts of word evolution, additional commentaries, determining the chronological order of the Agamas, critical reviews, and comparisons with other philosophical schools.

• Hindi Literary Works:

  • Dharm Ek Kasauti: Ek Rekha: In this work, Acharya Tulsi presents his thoughts, reflections, and conclusions from his studies on Jainism from a spiritual perspective.
  • Vividha (in three volumes): This collection features his contemplation on various subjects, capturing his interactions with the intellectual curiosity of politicians, writers, poets, philosophers, and thinkers. He also offers his evaluations of Jain Acharyas of South India, contemporary scriptural assessments, and his views on prominent figures like Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Pt. Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Dr. Zakir Hussain.
  • Mera Dharma-Kendra Aur Paridhi: This book extensively discusses universal religious harmony (sarvadharma samabhav), syadvada, the radiant form of dharma, religious issues, the future of democracy in Asia, the foundation of democracy for world peace, the atomic bomb, war and balance, various aspects of time, the building of individuals and society, and the context of national and international problems. He elaborates on Anuvrat, fasting (anashan), discipline (maryada), and the teachings of Terapanth as derived from the principles of Mahavir's reign. The work also includes his accounts of the internal conflicts of Bhikshu Ganiji during the time of Acharya Raghunathji and the origin and development of Terapanth.
  • Kya Dharm Buddhigamya Hai?: This work offers thought-provoking discussions on self-immolation (svavisarjan), dharma and individual freedom, life and dharma, war and non-violence, and the Anuvrat movement. It provides a brief exposition of Jain philosophy, discussing the nature of reality (tattva) and presenting his vision of an ideal state in "Three Messages" after exploring the concept of tattvas. Acharya Tulsi also presented the message and mysteries of dharma in a simple and accessible language for the welfare and enlightenment of many.

• Other Contributions:

  • Anuvrat Geet and Anuvrat Movement: He provided lyrical and simple explanations of the core principles of the Anuvrat movement.
  • Q&A Style Works: He addressed the need for ethics and virtuous conduct in contemporary social and economic spheres through works presented in a question-and-answer format.
  • Agni Pariksha: This is a lyrical narrative on the life of Rama from the Jain tradition.
  • Biographical Works: He authored works on the lives of his predecessors, including Shri Kal Yashovilas, Manik Mahima, Dalim Charitra, and Kalu Updesh Vatika.
  • Collections of Discourses: Numerous collections of his discourses have been published, such as Sandesh, Kranti Ke Path Par, and Navnirman Ki Pukar.

The article concludes by emphasizing that beyond his personal literary achievements, Acharya Tulsi's continuous inspiration, direction, and guidance have been instrumental in the literary activities of his learned monastic disciples.