Acharyana 36 Guno Chatrish Chatrishi Padya

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Acharyana 36 Guno Chatrish Chatrishi Padya" by Premchand G Baua, focusing on the essential aspects of the Acharya's qualities and their significance in Jainism:

The book "Acharyana 36 Guno Chatrish Chatrishi Padya" by Premchand G Baua, published as part of the Shree Arya Kalyan Gautam Smruti Granth, elaborates on the thirty-six virtues of an Acharya in Jainism. It highlights the pivotal role of an Acharya in the Jain religious order, emphasizing their position after Arihant and Siddha in the Panch Parmesthi mantra and in prayers like the Navkar mantra.

The Importance of the Acharya:

• Successors to Arihants: Acharyas are considered the inheritors appointed by the Arihants. In the absence of Arihants, Siddhas, or Kevalis, Acharyas guide the Jain tradition.
• Guiding Light: They are likened to a fixed star, continuously showing the path to righteousness for souls, both learned and ignorant.
• Guardians of Doctrine: Acharyas bear a significant responsibility for the Jain Shasan (religious order). They ensure that seekers of spiritual liberation do not encounter obstacles and prevent any deviation from the prescribed doctrines (Utsutra Prarupana).
• Numerical Significance of Virtues: The text notes that the Acharya, compared to other Parmesthis (Arihant - 36, Siddha - 8, Upadhyaya - 25, Sadhu - 27), is attributed a larger number of virtues (36). This underscores the multifaceted nature of their responsibilities.
• Essential for Religious Activities: Acharyas are crucial for various religious activities, including performing spiritual practices (Samayika, Pratikraman), penance, consecration ceremonies (Anjanshalaka, Pratishtha), initiations (Diksha), and all other functions within the Jain Shasan.
• Promoters of Welfare: They are responsible for the auspicious functioning of the Shasan, its growth, and the well-being and peace of its followers.

Definition of an Acharya:

An Acharya is defined as a leader of Dharma who not only observes the fivefold conduct (Achar) themselves but also ensures others follow it. The term "Acharya" also implies one who should be served with respect, as they are the guide.

Detailed Breakdown of the 36 Virtues:

The book categorizes these 36 virtues into several groups:

1. Control of the Five Senses (Panch Indriya Daman) - 5 Virtues:

   • Touch (Sparshendriya): Remaining indifferent to pleasant or unpleasant touch.
   • Taste (Rasendriya): Not being swayed by the taste of food, consuming food for sustenance only, and not indulging in preferences or dislikes for various flavors or delicacies.
   • Smell (Ghranedriya): Being unaffected by pleasant or foul odors, maintaining equanimity.
   • Hearing (Shrotrendriya): Not being captivated by pleasant worldly sounds (music, instruments) and not reacting with aversion to harsh or unpleasant speech.
   • Sight (Netrendriya): Not being distracted by beautiful or sensual sights and not expressing excessive joy or sorrow based on what is seen.

2. The Nine Vows of Chastity (Nav Brahmacharya ni Vado) - 9 Virtues:

   • Residing in places devoid of women, animals, or eunuchs.
   • Avoiding affectionate or hateful conversations with women.
   • Not sitting on a seat occupied by a woman or a female ascetic, even for a short while (and conversely, no one should sit on an Acharya's seat).
   • Not looking at a woman's body parts with lustful or prejudiced intent; maintaining a pure gaze.
   • Avoiding places where couples are engaged in sensual activities or conversations, and not passing through such areas.
   • Not recalling past sensual experiences or pleasures.
   • Avoiding rich and stimulating foods that incite desires.
   • Not overeating even bland food, as it can lead to lethargy and sensual indulgence. Acharyas are moderate eaters.
   • Not adorning or beautifying the body, and not changing clothes for aesthetic reasons, even if the body is soiled or the clothes are old.

3. Freedom from Four Passions (Kashaya Mukti) - 4 Virtues:

   • Anger (Krodh): Completely abandoning anger in thought, word, and deed, recognizing it as detrimental to the soul and a cause of unrighteous speech.
   • Pride (Man): Maintaining equanimity in the face of praise or insult, treating honor and dishonor equally, and not being arrogant about one's knowledge.
   • Deceit (Maya): Avoiding deception, trickery, or hiding faults. Not ensnaring others through deceit. Remaining separate from Maya and guiding others to do the same. Not concealing truth through trickery.
   • Greed (Lobh): Not being greedy in learning or teaching knowledge. Freely imparting knowledge with a broad perspective, like the ocean, to illuminate the Shasan. Not being narrow-minded or attached to possessions.

4. The Five Great Vows (Panch Mahavrat) - 5 Virtues:

   • Non-violence (Pranatipata Viraman Vrat): Not harming or causing suffering to any living being (mobile or immobile) through thought, word, or deed, nor encouraging, approving, or teaching such actions. Practicing complete compassion.
   • Truthfulness (Mrushavada Viraman Vrat): Speaking truth under all circumstances, not concealing the truth, not falsely accusing others, not spreading unrighteous doctrine, not misrepresenting the scriptures, and not engaging in quarrels or partial advice.
   • Non-stealing (Adattadana Viraman Vrat): Not taking anything that is not freely given, even the smallest item. Not taking what belongs to others without permission.
   • Chastity (Maithuna Viraman Vrat): Practicing celibacy in thought, word, and deed.
   • Non-possession (Parigraha Viraman Vrat): Not accumulating possessions, including religious texts, cloths, utensils, etc., essential for ascetism. Not being attached to even necessary items, and not desiring more.

5. The Five Conducts (Panch Achar) - 5 Virtues:

   • Knowledge Conduct (Gyanachar): Learning and teaching scriptures, conducting discourses, explaining doctrines, writing and encouraging the writing of scriptures, publishing religious books, and assisting students. Establishing Jain schools and universities, and organizing programs to inspire devotion in new followers.
   • Faith Conduct (Darshanachar): Practicing and upholding pure Right Faith (Samyaktva) and stabilizing those who falter. Establishing places for acquiring Samyaktva, such as temples, renovation of ancient temples, and places of worship.
   • Conduct Conduct (Charitra Char): Practicing pure conduct oneself and ensuring others follow it. Encouraging and approving those who practice pure conduct. Recognizing conduct as the path to liberation and upholding its practices without compromise, even at the cost of personal comfort.
   • Asceticism Conduct (Tapachar): Practicing and encouraging the twelve types of austerities (six internal and six external). Internal austerities include penance, humility, service, self-study, meditation, and contemplation. External austerities include fasting, reduced intake, controlled diet, renunciation of specific tastes, enduring physical hardship, and self-control.
   • Vigor Conduct (Viryachar): Exerting full effort in all religious activities and practices. Controlling anger, deterring others from hatred, diligently pursuing learning, and assisting others in spiritual progress. Visiting sacred places and supporting those in distress. Applying full energy to all righteous endeavors of the Shasan.

6. The Five Committees (Panch Samiti) - 5 Virtues:

   • Movement Committee (Irya Samiti): Walking with careful consideration of the path ahead, looking three and a half cubits in front, and moving with caution.
   • Speech Committee (Bhasha Samiti): Speaking only wholesome, beneficial, and pleasant words, avoiding sinful or harsh speech.
   • Alms-seeking Committee (Eshana Samiti): Accepting only pure food and water, avoiding impurities and faults in alms.
   • Handling Committee (Adan Nikshepan Samiti): Handling objects like books and utensils with care and mindfulness.
   • Excretion Committee (Ucchalan Samiti): Disposing of waste and excreta with caution and mindfulness.

7. The Three Restraints (Teen Gupti) - 3 Virtues:

   • Mental Restraint (Manogupti): Not indulging in negative or harmful thoughts (like Roudra Dhyana) and not allowing the mind to wander into wrong paths. Keeping the mind focused on auspicious contemplation.
   • Vocal Restraint (Vachan Gupti): Speaking only necessary, beneficial, and pleasant words without unnecessary talk. Avoiding speech that might hurt others' feelings. Maintaining control over speech with politeness and consideration.
   • Physical Restraint (Kayagupti): Moving the body with care and awareness, without causing harm to oneself or others. Performing all physical actions (yawning, belching, sitting, walking) with caution to avoid harming any living beings.

The "Chatrish Chatrishi" (Sixty-four Chapters of Virtues):

The latter part of the book presents a poetic compilation called "Chatrish Chatrishi," attributed to Upadhyaya Gyan Sagarji (later Acharya Udaya Sagar Surishwarji). This section enumerates 64 sets of virtues or qualities, each elaborating on specific aspects of an Acharya's conduct and spiritual attainment. These cover various numerical classifications of virtues, spiritual disciplines, knowledge, and the avoidance of faults. The "Chatrish Chatrishi" section acts as a comprehensive detailing and praise of the Acharya's exemplary life.

In essence, the book "Acharyana 36 Guno Chatrish Chatrishi Padya" serves as a profound exploration of the ideal qualities and responsibilities of an Acharya in Jainism, emphasizing their crucial role in guiding the spiritual path and upholding the integrity of the Jain tradition.