Agam 42 Dasavevaliyam Mulsutt 03 Moolam - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the content of the Dasaveyāliya Sutta (Agam 42, Dasaveyavāliya Mūlasutta 03 Moolam):

Book Title: Agam 42 Dasavevaliyam Mulsutt 03 Moolam Author(s): Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar Publisher: Agam Shrut Prakashan Subject: This text is the third Moolasutta (primary scripture) within the Agam collection, specifically the Dasaveyāliya Sutta, which is the 42nd Agam scripture. It deals with essential principles and practices for Jain ascetics.

Overall Purpose and Content:

The Dasaveyāliya Sutta (meaning "Ten Chapters of Instruction" or "Ten Lectures") is a foundational text in Jainism, focusing on the conduct, ethics, and spiritual discipline of monks and nuns. It provides detailed guidelines for renunciates to achieve liberation. The provided pages are from a Gujarati edition with some introductory material and the beginning of the sutra itself.

Key Themes and Sections Highlighted (Based on the provided pages):

Introduction and Acknowledgements (Pages 1-5):
- Spiritual Lineage and Dedication: The text is presented with reverence, acknowledging the spiritual lineage (Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir) and dedicating it to the spiritual masters. The author, Muni Diperatnasagar, is identified as a disciple of Muni Sudharm Sagarji M.
- Sponsorship and Support: A significant portion of the initial pages (Pages 3-5) lists numerous individuals and families who have financially sponsored the publication of this Agam. This indicates a strong community effort in preserving and disseminating Jain scriptures. The sponsors are primarily from various Jain communities and cities in India and even from abroad (Los Angeles, America), highlighting the widespread appreciation for Jain teachings. The sponsorships are often in memory of deceased family members or in honor of spiritual preceptors, demonstrating devotion and merit-making.
- Structure of Agams: Page 2 provides a brief overview of the classification of Agam literature, categorizing them into Anga, Chooliya, Mool, and Painnayaga, indicating that Dasaveyāliya falls under the "Mool" category.
- Printing and Publication Details: Information about the printing press and graphic designers is included, indicating the production process.
The Dasaveyāliya Sutta Itself (Pages 6-42):
- Table of Contents/Structure (Page 6): This page provides a structured outline of the sutra, listing its chapters (Adhyayana) and their respective themes:
  - Dummaphuphiyā (Flower-like conduct)
  - Sāmaññapūrvaya (Principles of Renunciation)
  - Khuhīyāyaragahā (Tales of the Hungry Ascetic)
  - Chajjīvaṇiyā (Six Types of Life-Entities)
  - Piṇḍesṇā (Rules for Alms-Seeking)
  - Pahāpārakahā (Stories of Great Deeds/Asceticism)
  - Vakkasuddhi (Purity of Speech)
  - Āpāra-paṇihī (Unwavering Concentration)
  - Vinayatāhamāhi (Humility and Submissiveness)
  - Sa-bhikkhu (Conduct of Monks)
- Chapter 1: Dummaphuphiyā (Pages 7-8):
  - This chapter begins with an invocation to purity of vision and the first Ganadhara, Shri Sudharmaswami.
  - It extols the virtues of non-violence (ahimsa), self-control (samyama), and righteous conduct (dharma).
  - A beautiful analogy is used comparing ascetics to bees that draw nectar from flowers without harming them, emphasizing their gentle sustenance and benefit to others.
  - It highlights the importance of detachment from worldly pleasures and the cultivation of inner peace.
- Chapter 2: Sāmaññapūrvaya (Pages 7-8):
  - This chapter discusses the principles of renunciation, focusing on the need to overcome desires for sensory pleasures like perfume, decoration, women, and comfortable bedding.
  - It stresses the importance of controlling the mind, which tends to wander outward, and warns against attachment and aversion, advising to conquer passions like anger and sorrow.
  - It uses metaphors like a fiery comet (dhūmaketu) to illustrate the difficulty of the path and condemns those who cling to life for the sake of unenjoyable existence.
  - It emphasizes the need to abandon worldly attachments and practice self-restraint.
- Chapter 3: Khuhīyāyaragahā (Pages 8-9):
  - This chapter speaks about the purity of the self in restraint, particularly for those who are free and have attained detachment.
  - It discusses the strict rules for monks and nuns, prohibiting them from engaging in activities like writing, using cosmetics, wearing adornments, storing possessions, receiving specific types of alms, or engaging in activities that involve harming living beings.
  - It details various forbidden practices related to food, drink, and bodily care, emphasizing extreme non-violence and detachment from worldly comforts.
  - The chapter lists numerous actions considered unacceptable for ascetics, such as touching, scraping, rubbing, heating, cooling, blowing, collecting, or causing any disturbance to living beings or their habitats.
- Chapter 4: Chajjīvaṇiyā (Pages 9-11):
  - This chapter is crucial as it outlines the "Six Classes of Living Beings" (Chajīvaṇiyā) as defined in Jainism: earth-bodied (pṛthvīkāyā), water-bodied (ap-kāyā), fire-bodied (teu-kāyā), wind-bodied (vāyu-kāyā), plant-bodied (vanaspatikāyā), and mobile (trasakāyā).
  - It emphasizes the principle of non-violence (ahiṃsā) towards all these beings.
  - The chapter details the strict observances and vows (mahāvrata) that ascetics must take, including refraining from harming any living being, speaking falsehoods, stealing, engaging in sexual misconduct, and accumulating possessions.
  - It describes the process of confession, repentance, and taking vows, highlighting the commitment to living a life of strict ethical conduct.
- Subsequent Chapters (Pages 11-41): The later pages detail further chapters of the sutra, covering:
  - Piṇḍesṇā (Alms-Seeking): Strict rules on how to accept and consume alms, emphasizing purity, detachment, and avoiding any harm or attachment. This includes detailed guidelines on inspecting food, avoiding forbidden items, and proper etiquette.
  - Mahāyārakahā (Tales of Great Deeds): Likely contains stories illustrating the virtues and hardships of great ascetics.
  - Vakkasuddhi (Purity of Speech): Rules and principles for speaking truthfully, kindly, and constructively, avoiding harsh or meaningless talk.
  - Āpāra-paṇihī (Unwavering Concentration): Emphasizing the importance of sustained focus and mental discipline in spiritual practice.
  - Vinayatāhamāhi (Humility and Submissiveness): The virtues of humility and respecting elders and spiritual guides.
  - Sa-bhikkhu (Conduct of Monks): General conduct and practices for monks.
Appendices and Indices (Pages 43-46):
- Index of Publications: Page 43 and 44 list various other Jain religious books published by "Abhinav Shrut Prakashan" and "Agam Shrut Prakashan." This indicates the publisher's commitment to a broad range of Jain literature.
- Index of Agams: Pages 43-45 also list many of the Agam scriptures and their corresponding volumes, further contextualizing the Dasaveyāliya Sutta within the larger Jain canon.
- Appendices (Parishisht) (Page 46): This section details the nature of the appendices included in the publication, such as:
  - Viṣayāṇukramo: A comprehensive subject index for 45 Agams.
  - Viśiṣṭa Śabdāṇukramo: A glossary of specific words found in 45 Agams.
  - Viśeṣa Nāmaṇukramo: An index of proper names appearing in 45 Agams.
  - Gāthāṇukramo: A Gujarati alphabetical index of verses found in 45 Agams.
  - Sūtrāṇukramo: An index of Sutras found in 45 Agams.

In essence, the provided text offers a glimpse into the meticulous and profound ethical framework of Jain monasticism as presented in the Dasaveyāliya Sutta. It emphasizes non-violence, detachment, self-control, and adherence to strict rules as the path to spiritual liberation, supported by a dedicated community of followers.