Agam 28 Mool 01 Avashyak Sutra Aavassayam Terapanth - Book Summary

This document is a detailed summary and analysis of the Avashyak Sutra, specifically focusing on the version adhered to by the Terapanth sect of Jainism, as authored by Acharya Tulsi and Acharya Mahapragna, and published by Jain Vishva Bharati. The text provided is a scanned document containing the table of contents, introductory sections, and the beginning of the sutra.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided pages:

Overall Structure and Purpose:

The document is an exposition of the Avashyak Sutra, a fundamental Jain scripture outlining essential daily practices for ascetics and householders. The Terapanth sect's interpretation and presentation of this sutra are highlighted, with references to its own commentary and lineage of acharyas.

Key Sections and Concepts:

Table of Contents (विषयानुक्रम): This section outlines the six main parts of the Avashyak Sutra, which are the core of Jain devotional and ethical practice:
- Samayika (सामाइय): Equanimity, meditation, and mindfulness.
- Chaturvimsati-stava (चउवीसत्थव): Praising the twenty-four Tirthankaras.
- Vandanaka (वंदणय): Salutations and respectful bowing.
- Pratikramana (पडिक्कमण): Confession and atonement for sins.
- Kayotsarga (काउस्सग्ग): Standing motionless in meditation and self-reflection.
- Pratyakhyana (पच्चक्खाणं): Renunciation and fasting.
The table of contents also details the specific sub-sections and verses within each of these main parts, indicating the detailed breakdown and organization of the sutra.
Introduction (उपोद्घात):
- Definition of Avashyak: It defines Avashyak as the six-fold essential practices: Samayika, Chaturvimsati-stava, Vandanaka, Pratikramana, Kayotsarga, and Pratyakhyana.
- Purpose of Avashyak: The introduction explains the importance and aims of these practices, including:
  - Renunciation of sinful actions (सावज्जजोगविरई).
  - Praise and glorification (उक्कित्तणं).
  - Adherence to virtues (गुणवओ य पडिवत्ती).
  - Condemnation of faults (खलियस्स निंदणा).
  - Seeking purification and remedy (वणतिगिच्छ).
  - Cultivation and retention of virtues (गुणधारणा चेव).
- Synonyms and Significance: It lists various names for Avashyak like Nandi, Anu, Avashyakaran, Nijjar, Dhruvanigraha, Vishuddhi, and Arahana Marg, emphasizing its role as a path to spiritual progress. The etymology of Avashyak is explained as something that must be performed (अवस्वकर्तव्यं).
Detailed Breakdown of the Sutra's Chapters:
- First Chapter: Samayika (पढम अज्झयणं सामाइयं):
  - Namaskara Sutra (नमुक्कार-सुत्तं): This section details the Namaskara Sutra, which is the invocation of the five supreme beings (Arihanta, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu). It explains the importance and meaning of each salutation, citing traditional commentaries and their significance in the path of spiritual practice and overcoming karma.
  - Samayika Sutra (सामाइय-सुतं): This part explains the core practice of Samayika, emphasizing the renunciation of sinful activities through mind, speech, and body. It stresses the importance of introspection, confession, repentance, and self-surrender. It also defines Samayika in terms of equanimity towards all beings, both mobile and immobile, and the practice of non-violence.
- Second Chapter: Chaturvimsati-stava (बीयं अज्झयणं चवीसत्थओ):
  - Chaturvimsati-stava Sutra (चवीसत्यव-सुत्तं): This section presents the verses for praising the twenty-four Tirthankaras, starting with Rishabhadeva and ending with Mahavira. It describes their qualities, such as being destroyers of impurities, founders of Dharma, and the twenty-four Kevalis. The verses express devotion and seek blessings for health, wisdom, and liberation. It highlights the exemplary lives of the Tirthankaras as guides.
- Third Chapter: Vandanaka (तइयं अज्झयणं वंदणयं):
  - Vandanaka Sutra (वंदणय-सुत्तं): This section describes the ritual of salutation and bowing, outlining the specific phrases and requests made to an Acharya or a senior monk. It includes requests for forgiveness for any unintentional offense, inquiries about well-being, and expressions of remorse for shortcomings.
- Fourth Chapter: Pratikramana (चउत्थं अज्झयणं पडिक्कमणं): This is the most extensive section in the provided text, detailing the process of Pratikramana (confession and atonement).
  - Samayika Sutra (सामाइय-सुत्तं): Reiteration of the Samayika commitment as a prelude to Pratikramana.
  - Mangala Sutra (मंगल-सुत्तं): The auspicious invocation of Arihantas, Siddhas, Sadhus, and the Dharma.
  - Sarana Sutra (सरण-सुत्तं): Taking refuge in the Arihantas, Siddhas, Sadhus, and Dharma.
  - Pratikramana Sutra (पडिक्कमण-सुत्तं): The core confession, acknowledging and repenting all transgressions in thought, word, and deed.
  - Iryapatha Sutra (इरियावहिय-सुत्तं): Confession for harm caused to living beings (one-sensed, two-sensed, etc.) while walking or moving.
  - Seyya-Atiyara Pratikramana Sutra (सेज्जा-अइयारपडिक्कमण-सुत्तं): Confession for offenses related to bedding and seating arrangements.
  - Goyara-Atiyara Pratikramana Sutra (गोयर-अइयार-पडिक्कमण-सुत्तं): Confession for offenses related to alms-round and receiving food.
  - Sajjhaya-Adi-Atiyara Pratikramana Sutra (सज्झायादि-अइयार-पडिक्कमण-सुत्तं): Confession for offenses related to the study of scriptures (Sajjhaya).
  - Eka-Vidha-Adi-Atiyara Pratikramana Sutra (एगविधादि-अइयार-पडिक्कमण-सुत्तं): This is a very detailed section confessing transgressions related to various categories of sins and vows, including:
    - Renunciation of one-sensed to five-sensed beings.
    - Commitments related to the ten categories of Jain monastic life.
    - Vows of celibacy.
    - The ten virtues.
    - The five great vows (Mahavratas).
    - The five restraints (Samitis).
    - The six categories of life-forms (Jeeva Kayas).
    - The seven classifications of meditation states (Leshya).
    - The nine vows of celibacy.
    - The ten aspects of monastic conduct.
    - The twelve stages of lay discipleship and monasticism.
    - Confession for various types of karmic obstructions, desires, attachments, anger, pride, deceit, greed, and other faults.
  - Nigranthapavane Sthirikarana Sutra (निग्गंथपावणे थिरीकरण-सुत्तं): This is a concluding section that reinforces the truth and supreme path of Jainism (Nigrantha Pravachana) as the way to liberation, emphasizing adherence to Dharma for spiritual progress.
- Fifth Chapter: Kayotsarga (पंचमं अज्झयणं काउस्सग्गो):
  - Samayika Sutra (सामाइय-सुत्तं): Again, reiteration of the Samayika commitment.
  - Kayotsarga Prajnapti Sutra (काउस्सग्गप इण्णा-सृत्तं): This section describes the practice of Kayotsarga, standing motionless. It reiterates the confession of offenses mentioned earlier and states the purpose of Kayotsarga as expiation and purification of karma. It also mentions the contemplation of the twenty-four Tirthankaras' attributes as part of this practice.
- Sixth Chapter: Pratyakhyana (छठं अम्झयणं पच्चक्खाणं):
  - Dasha Pratyakhyana Sutra (दसपच्चक्खाण-सुत्त): This chapter details various forms of renunciation, particularly regarding food and drink. It lists specific types of renunciations based on time of day (e.g., Surya Uggaya - after sunrise), specific items (e.g., Egasana - one meal, Ayambila - a specific fasting ritual), and durations. Each renunciation is followed by a statement of its specific conditions and the associated faults to be repented.
  - Sakkastuti (सक्कस्तई): This is a long hymn of praise to the Tirthankaras, enumerating their numerous virtues and titles, and expressing profound reverence.
  - Avasyak Niyukti (आवश्यकनियुक्ति): Citations from the Avashyak Niyukti are included, which are foundational commentaries on the sutras.
  - Bhagavati Sutra (भगवती, ७।२६-३५): This section references the Bhagavati Sutra to explain the classification of renunciation into Mulguna Pratyakhyana (fundamental vows) and Uttaraguna Pratyakhyana (conduct vows), and their further subdivisions.
  - Specific Vows (स्थूल-): The text details the transgression and repentance for specific vows for lay followers (Sramanavasaka), such as:
    - Sthulapanathavairaman Sutra (स्थूलगपाणाहवायविरमण-सुत्तं): Renunciation of gross violence.
    - Sthulamusavada Vairaman Sutra (थूलगमुसावाय विरमण-सुत्तं): Renunciation of gross falsehood.
    - Sthuladattadana Vairaman Sutra (थूलगअदत्तादाणविरमण-सत्तं): Renunciation of gross stealing.
    - Sthulabrahmacharya Vairaman Sutra (थलगबंभचेरविरमण-सतं): Renunciation of gross incontinence.
    - Sthulaichchaparimana Sutra (थलगइच्छापरिमाण-सत्तं): Limitation of desires.
    - Dishivrata Sutra (दिसिवय-सत्तं): Vow of directional restraint.
    - Upabhoga Paribhogavrata Sutra (उवभोगपरिभोगवय-सुत्तं): Vow of limiting use and consumption.
    - Anarthadanda Vairaman Sutra (अणत्थदंडविरमण-सुत्त): Renunciation of purposeless violence and harmful activities.
    - Samayika Sutra (सामाइय-सुत्तं): Reiterated practice of equanimity.
    - Desavakasika Vrata Sutra (देमावगासियव्क्य-सुत्तं): Partial daily restraint.
    - Poshadhopavasa Sutra (पोसहोववास-सुत्तं): Observance of fasts on auspicious days.
    - Atithisamvibhaga Sutra (अतिहिसंविभाग-सुत्तं): Charity and sharing with guests/ascetics.
    - Upasamhara Sutra (उवमहार-मुत्तं): Concluding remarks.
    - Sallekhana Sutra (सलेहणा-सुत्तं): The practice of gradual self-starvation and preparation for death.

Key Features of the Terapanth Presentation:

Emphasis on Acharyas: The work is attributed to prominent Terapanth Acharyas, highlighting the sect's emphasis on the authority and teachings of its spiritual leaders.
Commentarial Depth: The text includes references to and explanations from traditional commentaries (Churni, Vritti), demonstrating a scholarly approach to the scriptures.
Focus on Practice: The detailed listing of offenses and the process of Pratikramana underscores the practical, experiential nature of Jain spiritual discipline.
Lay Follower's Conduct: Significant portions are dedicated to the vows and practices of lay followers (Sramanavasaka), indicating the applicability of these teachings beyond monastic life.

In essence, this document provides a structured and detailed overview of the Avashyak Sutra, as interpreted and presented by the Terapanth tradition, covering its core practices, philosophical underpinnings, and the ethical guidelines for spiritual aspirants.