Ardhamagadhi Agam Sahitya Me Samadhi Maran Ki Avdharna

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Ardhamagadhi Agam Sahitya me Samadhi Maran ki Avdharna" by Sagarmal Jain:

This book, "The Concept of Samadhi Maran in Ardhamagadhi Agam Literature," by Professor Sagarmal Jain, extensively discusses the concept of Samadhi Maran (contemplative death, or dying with equanimity and spiritual awareness) within the Ardhamagadhi Agam literature of Jainism.

The author begins by outlining the chronological placement of Agam texts that detail Samadhi Maran. The earliest texts are identified as Acharanga Sutra and Uttaradhyayana Sutra.

Acharanga Sutra:

• The eighth chapter, "Vimoksha" (Liberation) of the first Shrutaskandha, extensively discusses three types of Samadhi Maran:
  1. Bhakta Pratya-khyana: Renunciation of food and drink.
  2. Inginimaran: Renunciation of food and drink, along with restricting physical movement to a specific area.
  3. Prayopagamana: Renunciation of food, drink, and all physical activities, leading to a motionless death.
• The Acharanga Sutra emphasizes the principle of nir-mamattva (non-possessiveness) towards the body as the core of Samadhi Maran. It clarifies that this is neither suicide nor an escape from life, but a conscious welcoming of inevitable death.
• Conditions for Samadhi Maran according to Acharanga Sutra:
  • When the body becomes so weak and infirm that one cannot adhere to the rules of asceticism, and survival would necessitate breaking these rules. In such a case, abandoning the body is considered more ethical than violating the vows.
  • When one becomes completely dependent on others due to old age or incurable illness, becoming a burden to the community and unable to practice asceticism.
  • When it becomes impossible to live without compromising one's ethical conduct or chastity. In this extreme situation, even controlled breathing techniques to hasten death are acceptable.
• The text stresses that the Acharanga Sutra advocates for Samadhi Maran not as a rejection of life, but as a dignified departure when living without violating vows becomes impossible, or when the body is no longer useful for personal practice or social service.
• The primary objective is the diminution of passions (kashayas), with the weakening of the body serving as a consequence or a related aspect.
• When taking Santhaara (the ritualistic process of fasting unto death), one should seek a solitary place free from living beings and prepare a bed of grass. This is followed by either Ittarika Anshan (limited fasting) or Prayopagamana.

Uttaradhyayana Sutra:

• The fifth chapter, "Akama-Maraniya," discusses Akama Maran (involuntary death) and Sakama Maran (voluntary, purposeful death, i.e., Samadhi Maran).
• Akama Maran is characterized by attachment to worldly pleasures and driven by fear at the time of death, akin to a losing gambler.
• Sakama Maran is achieved by the wise, self-controlled, and virtuous, and is characterized by joy and freedom from distress. It is not accessible to all.
• The 36th chapter also extensively discusses Samadhi Maran, categorizing it into excellent, medium, and inferior types based on the timeframe of practice.
• The text emphasizes embracing Sakama Maran over Akama Maran by comparing them, and urges the aspirant to approach death with forgiveness, compassion, and a true self-state. The pravrajya (ascetic initiation) should be met with the same faith and calmness at the time of death.

Other Agam Texts:

• Dashavaikalika Sutra: The eighth chapter, "Achara Pranidhi," describes the practices leading up to Samadhi Maran, emphasizing the reduction or conquest of passions.
• Sthananga Sutra: Mentions various types of death, including Samadhi Maran, in the context of approved and disapproved actions of Lord Mahavir. It lists pairs of disapproved deaths like dying by falling, poison, fire, water, etc., and approved ones like Prayopagamana and Bhakta Pratya-khyana.
• Samavaya-anga Sutra: Lists seventeen types of death, of which Bal-pandita Maran, Pandita Maran, Chhadmastha Maran, Kevali Maran, Bhakta Pratya-khyana, Ingini Maran, and Padopagamana are related to Samadhi Maran.
• Bhagavati Sutra: Mentions the Samadhi Maran of Ambada Sanyasi and his disciples on the banks of the Ganga.
• Upaasakadasa Sutra: Details the Samadhi Maran of ten lay followers of Lord Mahavir and the obstacles they faced.
• Antakruda-sha Sutra and Anuttaraupapaata-ka-da-sha Sutra: These texts narrate the Samadhi Maran of many monks and nuns, with the former providing detailed descriptions of their physical condition before undertaking Samadhi Maran.
• Prakirnaka Literature: Independent texts related to Samadhi Maran are classified under Prakirnaka. Key among these are:
  • Aatur Pratya-khyana: Dealing with death during illness.
  • Maha Pratya-khyana: Renunciation for a prolonged period.
  • Bhakta Parigya: Renunciation of food.
  • Sanstharaka: Laying down the Santhaara.
  • Marana Vibhakti: Detailed discussion of death.
  • Marana Samadhi & Marana Vishuddhi: Contemplation and purity of death.
• The text mentions that Marana Vibhakti now includes eight previously separate works.
• Tandulavaichara: Also contains detailed descriptions of Samadhi Maran.

Comparison with other Traditions and Texts:

• The author notes that while other traditions have texts on Samadhi Maran, the focus here is strictly on the Ardhamagadhi Agam literature.
• He briefly mentions texts from the Shauraseni Agam literature like Mulachara and Bhagavati Aradhana from the Yapaniya tradition, highlighting their connection to Ardhamagadhi Agams and their own significant contributions to the discussion of Samadhi Maran. Bhagavati Aradhana is particularly noted as having Samadhi Maran as its core subject.
• The author expresses the need for comparative studies between these traditions and their texts.

Core Principles of Samadhi Maran:

• Nir-mamattva (Non-possessiveness): Especially towards the body, as the body is the focal point of attachment.
• Diminishing Passions (Kashaya Krishikarana): Reducing anger, pride, delusion, and greed.
• Physical Weakening (Sharira Krishikarana): Though the main aim is the weakening of passions.
• Equanimity (Samabhaava): Enduring hardships and pain without disturbance.
• Detachment (Asakta): Not being attached to life or death.
• Right Faith and Conduct: Adherence to the teachings of the omniscient beings.
• Conscious Choice: Undertaking Samadhi Maran as a deliberate choice when the conditions are met, not out of despair or fear.

Types of Samadhi Maran: The text consistently identifies three main types, also found in Acharanga:

1. Bhakta Pratya-khyana: Renouncing food and drink, but allowing some physical movement.
2. Inginimaran: Renouncing food and drink, and restricting movement to a designated area.
3. Prayopagamana (or Padopagamana): Renouncing all bodily activities, remaining immobile until death. This is considered the highest form.

The Role of Practice and Preparation:

• The text emphasizes the importance of gradual practice, reducing food intake, enduring hardships (parishahas), and weakening passions.
• It highlights the necessity of introspection, confession of faults to a guru, and cultivating virtues like patience, self-control, and detachment.
• The Chandravedhyaka Prakirnaka is particularly noted for detailing the life perspective and ethical conduct required for Samadhi Maran, stressing the importance of Krutayoga (living with control over passions) over Akrutayoga (living enslaved by passions).

In conclusion, Professor Sagarmal Jain's work provides a thorough overview of the concept of Samadhi Maran as presented in the Ardhamagadhi Agam literature, highlighting its philosophical underpinnings, procedural aspects, and the various classifications and conditions for its practice within the Jain tradition. The text underscores that Samadhi Maran is a spiritual discipline aimed at achieving liberation by transcending attachment to the physical body and worldly desires, even in the face of death.