Agam 42 Dasaveyaliyam Taiyam Mulsuttam Mulam PDF File - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Agam 42 Dasaveyaliyam Taiyam Mulsuttam Mulam," authored by Dipratnasagar:

This text, the 42nd in the Jain Agama Online Series, is the Dasaveyaliyam Suttam, a foundational scripture in Jainism. The provided excerpt covers Chapters 1 through 10, with the initial chapters being significantly detailed. The text is presented in Prakrit, with a focus on the philosophical and practical aspects of Jain monasticism and ethical conduct.

Key Themes and Content:

The Dasaveyaliyam Suttam primarily focuses on the principles of renunciation, detachment, ethical conduct, and the path to liberation (moksha) for Jain monks and nuns. It emphasizes the importance of controlling senses, overcoming desires, and adhering strictly to the vows of Jainism.

Here's a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of the content presented:

Chapter 1: Dummaphuphia (The First Chapter - "Like a Flower on a Tree")

Core Message: This chapter uses the analogy of a bee collecting nectar from flowers without harming them to illustrate the ideal conduct of monks. Monks should take what is offered (like alms) without causing distress to the giver or the environment.
Key Concepts:
- Ahimsa (Non-violence): The highest virtue, encompassing restraint and penance.
- Detachment: The bee enjoys the nectar without clinging to the flower, symbolizing monks' detachment from worldly pleasures.
- Taking Alms: The proper way for monks to sustain themselves.

Chapter 2: Samannapuvvayam (The Second Chapter - "The Foundation of Asceticism")

Core Message: This chapter delves into the qualities and practices of an ascetic, highlighting the importance of controlling desires and maintaining mental purity.
Key Concepts:
- Control of Desires: True asceticism involves abstaining from pleasures and attachments, especially sensual ones.
- Self-Control: The text describes those who control their desires and senses as true ascetics.
- Renunciation: Giving up what is desirable and pleasant is a sign of renunciation.

Chapter 3: Khuddiyāyarakahā (The Third Chapter - " Tales of Small Conduct")

Core Message: This chapter details numerous restrictions and prohibitions for ascetics, outlining what is considered forbidden or unacceptable conduct. It emphasizes purity in all actions.
Key Concepts:
- Strict Observances: Lists many specific items and actions that monks must avoid, such as collected food, purchased items, certain types of baths, decorations, massages, specific roots, salts, etc.
- Purity of Intent: The focus is on maintaining a pure mind and avoiding actions that violate monastic vows.
- Six Living Beings (Jeevanikaya): This chapter likely touches upon the awareness of and non-harming of the different categories of life forms (earth-bodied, water-bodied, fire-bodied, air-bodied, plant-bodied, and mobile beings).
- Vows (Mahavrata): The underlying principle is the strict adherence to the great vows of Jainism.

Chapter 4: Chajjivanika (The Fourth Chapter - "The Six Categories of Living Beings")

Core Message: This chapter focuses on the classification of all living beings and the strict adherence to non-violence (Ahimsa) towards them. It elaborates on the five great vows.
Key Concepts:
- Six Life-Forms: Earth, water, fire, air, plants, and mobile beings (two-sensed to five-sensed).
- Ahimsa: The paramount vow, extending to all forms of life. The chapter emphasizes not to harm, nor to cause harm, nor to approve of harm.
- The Five Great Vows (Pancha Mahavrata):
  1. Ahimsa (Non-violence): Abstinence from harming any living being.
  2. Satya (Truthfulness): Abstinence from false speech.
  3. Asteya (Non-stealing): Abstinence from taking what is not given.
  4. Brahmacharya (Celibacy/Chastity): Abstinence from sensual pleasures.
  5. Aparigraha (Non-possession/Non-attachment): Abstinence from accumulation and attachment to possessions.
- Repentance (Pratikraman): The text includes passages of repentance for any transgression of these vows.
- Dietary Restrictions: Also mentions abstaining from eating at night.

Chapter 5: Pindesana (The Fifth Chapter - "The Quest for Alms")

Core Message: This chapter provides detailed guidelines for monks on how to collect alms in a pure and non-violent manner, emphasizing discretion, mindfulness, and avoiding specific foods or situations.
Key Concepts:
- Discreet Alms Collection: Monks should move with mindfulness, observing the path carefully, avoiding seeds, living beings, and water.
- Purity of Food: Strict rules on what is acceptable and unacceptable food, including what has been prepared with specific intentions, mixed with living beings, or improperly handled.
- Accepting Alms: Guidelines on how to accept alms, what to accept, and what to refuse.
- Mindfulness in Eating: The importance of eating with full awareness and without attachment.
- Avoiding Delicacies and Luxuries: Renouncing rich, flavorful, or specially prepared foods.
- Contentment: Practicing contentment with whatever is received appropriately.

Chapter 6: Mahāyārakahā (The Sixth Chapter - "Tales of Great Conduct")

Core Message: This chapter continues to elaborate on the principles of righteous conduct and the dangers of falling away from them. It stresses the importance of adhering to the path shown by the Tirthankaras.
Key Concepts:
- Nine Pillars of Jainism (Navatattva): While not explicitly listed here, the principles discussed are foundational to understanding these.
- Avoidance of Sinful Activities: The text details prohibitions related to the five categories of living beings (earth, water, fire, air, plants) and mobile beings, emphasizing the avoidance of causing harm.
- Monastic Rules: Further prohibitions on actions like touching, blowing, or playing with fire, wind, plants, and mobile beings.
- Rejection of Worldly Adornments: Monks should not engage in activities that lead to worldly attachment or vanity.
- Renunciation of Attachment: True ascetics are free from the concept of "mine" and avoid all forms of possession.

Chapter 7: Vakkasuddhi (The Seventh Chapter - "Purity of Speech")

Core Message: This chapter focuses on the ethical use of speech, emphasizing truthfulness, kindness, and the avoidance of harmful or inappropriate language.
Key Concepts:
- Right Speech: Speaking truthfully, kindly, and usefully.
- Forbidden Speech: Avoiding falsehood, harsh words, gossip, slander, and speech that causes offense or attachment.
- Addressing Others: Guidelines on how to address people respectfully, avoiding names that might cause offense or attachment.
- Mindfulness in Speech: Being aware of the impact of one's words.

Chapter 8: Ayārapanihi (The Eighth Chapter - "Conduct and Discipline")

Core Message: This chapter provides further detailed guidelines on ascetic conduct, reinforcing the principles of self-control, mindfulness, and detachment.
Key Concepts:
- Daily Conduct: Emphasis on careful actions, such as checking one's path, movements, and possessions.
- Controlling Senses: The importance of restraining the senses from indulging in worldly attractions.
- Endurance: The necessity of tolerating hardships, such as hunger, thirst, heat, cold, and verbal abuse, with equanimity.
- Detachment from the Body: Recognizing the impermanence of the body and avoiding excessive attachment or ornamentation.
- Mindfulness and Awareness: Remaining vigilant and aware of one's actions and their consequences.
- Overcoming Anger, Pride, Deception, and Greed: These negative emotions are identified as obstacles to liberation.

Chapter 9: Vinasayasamaadhi (The Ninth Chapter - "Concentration on the True Nature")

Core Message: This chapter discusses the importance of Vinaya (Discipline/Reverence) as a fundamental pillar for spiritual progress, alongside knowledge (Suya), penance (Tapas), and conduct (Achar).
Key Concepts:
- Four Types of Concentration/Equanimity (Samadhi):
  1. Vinaya Samadhi: Concentration achieved through discipline and reverence.
  2. Suya Samadhi: Concentration achieved through dedicated study of scriptures.
  3. Tapas Samadhi: Concentration achieved through penance.
  4. Achar Samadhi: Concentration achieved through adherence to conduct/discipline.
- Importance of Reverence: Showing respect to teachers, elders, and the teachings is crucial for spiritual growth.
- Qualities of a Devoted Disciple: Obedience, attentiveness, humility, and practice are highlighted.
- Consequences of Disrespect: Disrespect towards teachers or teachings leads to spiritual downfall.

Chapter 10: Sa Bhikkhu (The Tenth Chapter - "Such is a Monk")

Core Message: This final chapter (in the provided excerpt) outlines the ideal characteristics and behaviors of a true Jain monk, summarizing the key principles discussed throughout the text.
Key Concepts:
- Monastic Virtues: Emphasizes non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, non-possession, control of senses, endurance of hardships, detachment from worldly pleasures, and pure conduct.
- Living in Accordance with Scripture: Following the teachings of the enlightened ones.
- Self-Discipline: Maintaining control over mind, speech, and body.
- Liberation: The ultimate goal, achieved through these practices.

Chulikas (Appendices/Supplementary Sections):

Padama Chulika Raivakka (First Chulika - " Tales of Austerity")
- This section discusses the dangers of attachment to worldly life and the regret that follows when one deviates from the spiritual path. It contrasts the bliss of spiritual life with the suffering of worldly entanglement.
Biiya Chulika Vivattachariya (Second Chulika - " Tales of Varied Conduct")
- This section likely delves into more specific examples or instances of ascetic conduct, perhaps illustrating how monks should navigate different situations with detachment and equanimity.

Overall Significance:

The Dasaveyaliyam Suttam is a vital text for understanding the practical application of Jain philosophy for monastics. It provides a comprehensive code of conduct, emphasizing meticulousness in every action to ensure non-violence and detachment, ultimately leading to liberation. The text stresses that the entire path to spiritual freedom is paved with discipline, self-control, and unwavering adherence to the preached principles of the Tirthankaras.