Aimutta Muni

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Aimutta Muni" in English:

"Aimutta Muni" tells the story of a young prince named Aimutta, the six-year-old son of King Vijay and Queen Shrimati in Polaspur, India. While playing with friends, Aimutta encounters Gautam-swami, a chief disciple of Lord Mahavir, who is on his alms round (begging for food). Aimutta, filled with happiness and a desire to please his mother, invites Gautam-swami to their palace for food.

Queen Shrimati warmly welcomes Gautam-swami and is delighted by her son's devout act. Aimutta enthusiastically offers Gautam-swami his favorite sweets, ladoos. As the monk prepares to leave, Aimutta offers to carry his bag, but Gautam-swami explains that only those who have taken Diksha (initiation into monkhood) can carry it.

Intrigued, Aimutta asks about Diksha. Gautam-swami explains that it involves renouncing worldly life, family, and possessions to avoid accumulating bad karma and to achieve liberation (moksha). He clarifies that monks avoid sinful activities by not owning things, not eating special food made for them, not staying in one place for too long, and not engaging in business or accumulating wealth.

Aimutta, impressed by the monks' detachment and their ability to avoid sin, expresses a strong desire to take Diksha. He is brought to Lord Mahavir's sermon, where he learns about life's purpose and how to eliminate worldly suffering. Aimutta then formally requests Diksha from Lord Mahavir.

Lord Mahavir informs Aimutta that parental permission is required. Aimutta returns home and explains his desire to his mother, referencing her own words about the violence and sins inherent in household life. Queen Shrimati, though initially surprised, is pleased with her son's spiritual yearning. However, she tests his resolve by questioning his ability to handle the hardship and renunciation involved in monkhood.

Aimutta wisely responds that household life also has suffering, and the suffering of a monk is purposeful, leading to the destruction of karma and liberation. He further demonstrates his maturity by stating that the timing of Diksha is uncertain, as no one knows who will die first, making the present opportunity crucial.

Satisfied with his understanding and determination, Queen Shrimati gives Aimutta her blessing and permission, urging him to remember his goal of liberation and the principle of ahimsa (non-violence). With his mother's blessing and his father's consent, Aimutta takes Diksha and becomes known as "Balmuni Aimutta" (young monk Aimutta).

Later, Balmuni Aimutta witnesses children playing with a paper boat in a puddle and momentarily forgets his monastic vows, joining them in play. Other monks observe this and remind him that playing with water harms countless living beings, thus violating his vow and accumulating bad karma.

Realizing his mistake, Balmuni Aimutta experiences profound remorse and repents sincerely. While reciting the Iriyavahiyam Sutra, which includes an apology for harming living beings in water, grass, and clay, his sincere repentance leads to the destruction of all his destructive karmas, resulting in him attaining Keval-jnän (omniscience). He becomes a Kevali monk.

When he tries to sit in the section reserved for Kevali monks, senior monks initially question him. However, Lord Mahavir intervenes, explaining that Aimutta has become a Kevali through his sincere repentance and the recitation of the Iriyavahiyam Sutra. The other monks then understand that there is no age limit to achieving omniscience.

The story concludes by stating that Balmuni Aimutta eventually attained liberation. It emphasizes that the pursuit and understanding of Jainism are driven by faith, understanding, and passion, not age. The text also highlights that while mistakes can lead to bad karma, true and sincere repentance can eliminate karma from unintentional errors, but intentional mistakes planned with future repentance are futile.