Agam 01 Ang 02 Acharanga Sutra Part 02 Sthanakvasi

The provided text is a detailed summary of the Acharanga Sutra, Part 2, Shrutaskandha 2, a foundational Jain scripture focusing on the conduct and discipline of Jain ascetics (Shramans). The text is presented in Hindi with an English translation and commentary, featuring rich illustrations.

Here's a comprehensive summary based on the provided pages:

Book Overview:

• Title: Agam 01 Ang 02 Acharanga Sutra Part 02 (Sthanakvasi)
• Authors: Amarmuni, Shreechand Surana
• Publisher: Padma Prakashan
• Key Theme: The text elaborates on the code of conduct for Jain ascetics and the life philosophy of Bhagavan Mahavir.
• Structure: It's divided into two Shrutaskandhas, with this volume focusing on the second Shrutaskandha, also referred to as 'Acharagra' or 'Achara Chula'. This second part is further divided into four Chulas (appendices) and sixteen Adhyayans (chapters). The original fifth Chula is believed to be the basis for the Nishith Sutra.

Content Highlights:

The Acharanga Sutra, particularly this second part, delves deeply into the principles and practices of ascetic life, covering various aspects of daily conduct. The summary outlines the following key areas:

1. Pindaishana (Chapter 1): The Search for Alms: This extensive chapter details the strict rules and precautions an ascetic must observe when seeking alms. This includes:

   • Food Purity: Avoiding contaminated food (sachit-samsakta), food mixed with living beings, seeds, sprouts, or contaminated water.
   • Grain Purity: Censure of accepting improperly processed grains, including those that are unbroken, have intact germination capacity, are not laterally pierced, or are not properly roasted/pounded.
   • Conduct with Others: Prohibition of moving or interacting with people of other faiths or householders while begging.
   • Faultless Food: Seeking food free from specific faults like 'auddeshik' (food prepared specifically for ascetics) or food that has been purchased, borrowed, or obtained without proper permission.
   • Acceptable Food: Censure of food prepared for specific festivals or celebrations if it involves violence.
   • Suitable Sources: Taking alms from acceptable families and avoiding those that are infamous or despicable.
   • Feasts and Celebrations: Strict avoidance of going to feasts and celebrations due to the inherent violence and potential for attachment.
   • Doubtful Food: Refusal of food if there's any doubt about its purity.
   • Equipment: Rules regarding moving with ascetic equipment.
   • Seasonal Considerations: Avoiding alms-seeking during certain times (e.g., during cow milking).
   • Specific Prohibitions: Censure of raw food, food with excessive scrap, food touched by earth, water, or fire-bodied beings, and food causing harm to air-bodied beings.
   • Intoxicating Drinks: Prohibition of accepting unacceptable drinks.
   • Mental Conduct: Avoiding craving for smells and maintaining equanimity in all situations.

2. Shaiyyaishana (Chapter 2): The Search for Bed/Place of Stay: This chapter focuses on the meticulous selection of a place of stay for ascetics:

   • Cleanliness: Seeking places free from insects, eggs, and cobwebs.
   • Intention of Preparation: Avoiding places specifically prepared for ascetics or prepared with violence.
   • Used Places (Purushantarakrit): Allowing the use of places already used by others, as this negates the intention of specific preparation.
   • Prohibited Places: Extensive list of prohibited places, including those frequented by women, children, animals, those that are dilapidated, noisy, unhealthy, or have erotic imagery.
   • Ascetic's Conduct: The need for equanimity in all types of accommodations, whether comfortable or uncomfortable.

3. Irya (Chapter 3): Movement and Conduct: This chapter addresses the responsible and careful movement of ascetics:

   • Monsoon Stay: The necessity of staying in one place during the monsoon season to avoid harming newly generated beings and vegetation.
   • Careful Movement: Precautions to be taken while walking, avoiding slippery paths, dangerous areas, or routes with animals.
   • Traveling: Rules for moving between villages and dealing with bandits or unsafe territories.
   • Water Travel: Detailed guidelines for crossing water bodies, including the use of boats and handling potential dangers.
   • Movement Etiquette: Prudence in movement, avoiding unnecessary actions or gestures.

4. Bhashajata (Chapter 4): Language: This chapter focuses on the purity and appropriateness of speech for ascetics:

   • Types of Speech: Identifying and avoiding sinful speech driven by anger, pride, deceit, or greed.
   • Truthful and Benign Speech: Emphasizing the use of truthful, thoughtful, and gentle language.
   • Addressing Others: Rules for addressing men and women respectfully.
   • Avoiding Hurtful Language: Strict prohibition of words that describe physical afflictions or are generally impolite.
   • Prohibition of Specific Narratives: Avoiding speech about divine beings, predictions about future events, or discussions about sinful activities of others.
   • Discipline in Speech: The importance of speaking with prudence, deliberation, and calmness.

5. Vastraishana (Chapter 5): The Search for Clothes: This chapter outlines the rules for acquiring and using clothing for ascetics:

   • Acceptable Materials: Details about various types of permissible fabrics (e.g., derived from plants like cotton, jute, linseed).
   • Prohibited Materials: Censure of expensive clothes, clothes made from animal skins, or those involving excessive violence in their production.
   • Quantity: Rules on the number of garments an ascetic can possess.
   • Faulty Clothes: Prohibition of accepting clothes that are old, dirty, damaged, or have been ritually processed or cleaned for the ascetic.
   • Care of Clothes: Rules on how to wash and dry clothes (though washing is generally discouraged).

6. Paatraishana (Chapter 6): The Search for Pots: This chapter deals with the selection and use of alms-collection pots:

   • Permissible Pots: Guidelines on accepting pots made of wood, gourds, or clay.
   • Prohibited Pots: Censure of expensive pots, those made of metal, gems, glass, or adorned with precious materials, or those involving violence in their making.
   • Used Pots: Rules about accepting used pots, with a focus on purity.
   • Rules on Quantity: Limitations on the number of pots an ascetic can possess.

7. Avagraha Pratima (Chapter 7): Regulations of Possession/Permission: This chapter outlines the rules for seeking permission and taking possession of things an ascetic might need:

   • Seeking Permission: The importance of seeking explicit permission from the owner or manager before using a place or taking any object.
   • Proper Conduct: Rules for interacting with others (co-ascetics, householders) and respecting their belongings.
   • Prohibited Places: Censure of places that are inherently impure, unsafe, crowded, or associated with sin and negative activities.

8. Sthana Saptika (Chapter 8): Place Septet: This chapter details the rules for selecting a place of stay:

   • Faulty vs. Faultless Places: Criteria for acceptable dwelling places, focusing on absence of living beings, damage, and inappropriate features.
   • Renovation: Avoiding places that have been recently renovated or altered specifically for the ascetic's arrival if they remain unused.
   • Living with Householders: A strong censure against staying with householders due to potential distractions, breaches of conduct, and the influence of worldly affairs.

9. Nishidhika (Chapter 9): Study Place: This chapter focuses on the appropriate places for ascetic study:

   • Prudence in Study: Selecting quiet, secluded places free from disturbances and immoral influences.
   • Prohibitions: Avoiding places associated with unseemly activities, noise, or dirt.

10. Uchchar-Prasravan Saptika (Chapter 10): Defecation-Urination Septet: This chapter meticulously details the rules for the disposal of bodily excretions:

    • Prohibited Places: A comprehensive list of forbidden locations, including those infested with insects, soiled grounds, populated areas, places of entertainment, cremation grounds, and areas related to water bodies.
    • Proper Places: Guidelines for finding and using appropriate, clean, and secluded spots.
    • Self-Care: Emphasizing the need for cleanliness and avoiding bodily harm.

11. Shabda Saptika (Chapter 11): Sound Septet: This chapter addresses the ascetic's conduct regarding sounds:

    • Censure of Music and Noise: Prohibition of intentional listening to musical instruments, festive sounds, loud noises, or sounds of conflict.
    • Equanimity: The importance of remaining indifferent to pleasant and unpleasant sounds.
    • Controlling the Senses: The emphasis on discipline over the sense of hearing.

12. Rupa Saptika (Chapter 12): Form Septet: This chapter deals with the ascetic's conduct regarding visual forms:

    • Avoiding Attractions: Prohibition of seeking out and being attached to beautiful or pleasing sights, whether natural or man-made.
    • Equanimity: The need for detachment towards both pleasant and unpleasant forms.
    • Focus on the Self: The importance of concentrating on the spiritual self rather than external forms.

13. Para-Kriya Saptika (Chapter 13): Action of the Other: This chapter explains the concept of 'para-kriya' (actions performed by others for the ascetic) and its strict avoidance:

    • Prohibition of Services: Ascetics should not accept services like washing feet, massaging the body, applying ointments, or any form of beautification or treatment from householders.
    • Self-Reliance: Ascetics are encouraged to be self-reliant in their physical needs.
    • Avoiding Attachment: The underlying principle is to avoid any form of attachment or dependence that could hinder spiritual progress.

Overall Significance:

The Acharanga Sutra, as presented in this volume, is a testament to the extreme rigor and ethical depth of Jain monasticism. It leaves no aspect of an ascetic's life untouched, from the minute details of seeking alms and choosing a place to stay to the careful management of speech and the avoidance of worldly temptations. The emphasis on non-violence (ahimsa) and detachment permeates every rule, guiding the ascetic towards liberation through self-discipline and mindful living. The text also provides valuable insights into ancient Indian society, culture, and practices.