Atmadarshan - Book Summary | JainGPT

This document is a summary of the Jain text titled "Atmadarshan" (Self-Realization) authored by Atmanandji Maharaj and published by Shrimad Rajchandra Sadhna Kendra Koba. The catalog link provided is for the Jain eLibrary.

Here's a comprehensive summary based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Atmadarshan (Understanding and Practice) Author: Param Shraddhey Sant Shri Atmanandji Maharaj Publisher: Shrimad Rajchandra Adhyatmik Sadhna Kendra, Koba (Gujarat, India) Publication Date: First Edition, July 11, 2006 (Guru Purnima)

Publisher's Objectives and Activities:

The Shrimad Rajchandra Adhyatmik Sadhna Kendra aims to:

Establish, protect, and promote the eternal truth-values of Indian culture.
Regularly publish refined, culture-inspiring, and spiritual Gujarati, Hindi, and English literature, as well as the organization's spiritual mouthpiece, "Divya Dhwani."
Study, teach, research, and practice spiritual sciences and the philosophy of Anekanta (non-absolutism).
Organize devotional music sessions and Satsang (holy company) and Swadhyaya (self-study) programs.
Foster noble sanskaras (values) through life-development camps and pilgrimages across the country and abroad.
Cultivate an interest in higher life values and encourage Ashram life through these activities.
Serve the common people through free blood donation and various health check-up camps.

Introduction to the Kendra:

The Kendra features a "Vidya-Bhakti-Ananddham," a modern hall capable of accommodating 500 seekers for Bhakti and Swadhyaya. It also houses a library with over 15,000 books and has facilities for individual and group meditation.

Introduction to the Book (Page 5):

The book emphasizes the four Purusharthas (goals of human life) in Indian tradition: Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire), and Moksha (liberation). Dharma is placed first, as it facilitates the successful pursuit of other Purusharthas, leading to a virtuous, peaceful, and successful life. The book focuses on "Atmadarshan" (Self-Realization) as the root of Dharma, presenting a concise and practical explanation.

It highlights that due to forgetting or neglecting cultural and spiritual values, many people have an unclear life purpose, leading to aimless activities, anxiety, and a sense of wasted life. The book posits that eternal happiness can be gradually attained through true understanding of life, corresponding regular activities, and peaceful, pure thoughts. It stresses the importance of good company, reading excellent texts, and guidance from a true saint. This booklet offers experiential guidance on where to gain understanding and how to live accordingly.

The writing style follows the teachings of Lord Mahavir and the ancient Acharyas, including Shrimad Rajchandra. A glossary of technical terms is provided at the end for new readers. In an era of "Rat Race," dwindling values, and rarity of thoughtful evaluation, this booklet is offered to thinkers and scholars. The author notes that the writing is brief, focusing on key points, and encourages further discussion within study circles for deeper understanding. The presence and guidance of an experienced saint are considered highly beneficial. The effort is made for the subject of "Atmadarshan," the essence of spiritual science, to be comprehensible and internalized, with philosophical distinctions becoming secondary to spiritual insight.

Table of Contents (Page 7):

The book is structured with various sections covering:

Synonyms for Atmadarshan
Definitions of Atmadarshan
Synonyms for Samyakdrushti (Right View)
Characteristics of Atmadarshan
Eight Limbs of Atmadarshan
Eight Ornaments of Atmadarshan
Various Types of Samyagdarshan
25 Aticharas (Transgressions) of Samyagdarshan
Form of Samyagdarshan and Useful Practices for its Worship
Four Elements at the Root of Samyagdarshan
Tests for the Occurrence of Atmadarshan
The Fruit of Atmadarshan
The Nature of a Person with Atmadrishti (Self-Vision)
Places of Abode for Atmadarshan
Special Inspiration for the Seeker
Useful Important Points for the Seeker
Essential Important Points for the Seeker
Further Reading of Good Texts
Useful Special Points
Appendices

Key Concepts Discussed:

Synonyms for Atmadarshan (Page 8): Atmadarshan is presented with various terms like Samyakdarshan, Atmasakshatkar (Self-Realization), destruction of Avidya (ignorance), Swadarshan (Self-Vision), Samkit, Samyaktva, partial experience of Self, true recognition of Self, Tattvarth Shradhan (faith in reality), recognition of true God, Guru, and Dharma, Paramatmadarshan (Realization of Supreme Soul), Swatmalabdhi (achievement of Self), Bodhi-Samadhi, dissolution of Darshan Mohaniya karma, attainment of the seed of enlightenment, etc.
Definitions of Atmadarshan (Page 8-9):
- Faith in the seven realities (Tattvarth Sutra).
- Samkit as the experience of a portion of all virtues (Shrimad Rajchandra).
- Arising from the subsidence, partial destruction, or complete destruction of Darshan Mohaniya karma (Karananuyog perspective): Upasham Samkit, Kshayo-psham Samkit, Kshayaik Samkit.
- Partial experience and faith in the Soul (Paramarth Samkit).
- Faith in the true God, Guru, and Dharma (Niyamsar).
- Right faith is the root of Dharma (Darshan Pahud).
Synonyms for Samyakdrushti (Page 9): Good vision, right vision, praiseworthy vision, real vision, Anekant vision, true vision, vision free from delusion.
Characteristics of Atmadarshan (Page 10):
1. Sham: Subduing passions or the taste of passions.
2. Samveg: Inclination towards the path of liberation, with no desire other than liberation.
3. Nirved: The world feels like bondage or poisonous. A feeling of "enough, stop now."
4. Anukampa: Compassion for all beings, especially towards one's own soul.
5. Aastha: Faith in true God, true Dharma, and true Guru.
Eight Limbs of Atmadarshan (Page 10):
1. Nihshankitv (Absence of doubt)
2. Nihakankshitv (Absence of desire)
3. Nirvichikitsy (Absence of disgust)
4. Amudhdrishti (Uninfatuated vision)
5. Upagruhanatv (Upholding)
6. Sthitikaran (Stabilization)
7. Vatsalya (Affection)
8. Prabhavana (Propagation) (The first four are primarily self-dependent, the last four are primarily dependent on others.)
Eight Ornaments of Atmadarshan (Page 11): Samveg, Nirved, Ninda (self-reproach), Grah (regret), Upasham (subsidence), Bhakti (devotion), Vatsalya, Anukampa. A person possessing these becomes dear to the world and knows they have attained Samyaktva through self-awareness.
Types of Samyagdarshan (Page 11-12):
- Vyavahar Samyagdarshan (Practical/Conventional Righteousness)
- Nishchay Samyagdarshan (Real/Absolute Righteousness)
  - Upasham Samyakttva
  - Kshayo-psham Samyakttva
  - Kshayaik Samyakttva
  - Vedak Samyakttva
- Shrimad Rajchandra lists three types:
  1. Faith in the words of the worthy person, deep inclination towards commandments, devotion to the worthy person by controlling self-will.
  2. Experience of the ultimate reality.
  3. Unconditional experience of the ultimate reality.
- Shrimad Atmanushasan lists ten types based on their origin.
Aticharas of Samyagdrushti (Page 13): Twenty-five transgressions to be avoided, including eight types of Mada (pride), eight Sankadi dosh (doubts etc.), six Anayatan (improper refuges), and three Mudhta (delusions).
Form of Samyagdarshan and Useful Practices (Page 14-15): Worship of factual knowledge through scriptures, experiencing the soul (Nishchay Samyagdarshan), Samyagdarshan is the Soul itself. Practices include resorting to the feet of the Sadguru, abandoning one's own views, seeking ultimate reality, contemplating one's true nature, seeking knowledge that leads to the destruction of ignorance and attainment of Nirvana. It also involves cultivating virtues like compassion, peace, equanimity, forgiveness, truth, renunciation, and detachment.
Four Elements at the Root of Samyagdarshan (Page 16-18):
1. Shastra Gyan (Scriptural Knowledge): Knowledge from scriptures authored by ancient scholars, which impart true knowledge impartially.
2. Su-Yukti (Good Reasoning/Principles): Requires broad intellect, vastness of heart, integrity, simplicity, honesty, unbiased perspective, avoiding attachment to any sect, doctrine, or person.
3. Shri Gurupasad (Grace of the Guru): Emphasizes that true spiritual progress depends on the Guru's grace.
4. Sva-Anubhav (Self-Experience): Requires diligence, patience, good understanding, and virtuous qualities. The support of the Supreme Soul and the Guru is essential for self-experience.
Tests for the Occurrence of Atmadarshan (Page 21-22): Includes spontaneous awareness of the Soul, recognizing vices immediately, growth in knowledge, dispassion, and devotion, manifestation of the eight limbs, seeing God in all, impartiality, discrimination between what to abandon and what to accept, increasing calmness, self-reflection, viewing the world as a drama, and maintaining equanimity.
The Fruit of Atmadarshan (Page 23-25): Includes the breaking of intense emotional states, experiencing subtle bliss, continuous discernment between soul and non-soul, clear decision of one's true nature, lack of interest in worldly matters, attainment of even worldly wealth without attachment, unwavering interest and joy in the pure soul, absence of pride and delusions, cessation of bondage of 41 karmic natures, continuous shedding of karmic layers, and avoidance of rebirths in lower states of existence or unfavorable conditions.
Nature of a Person with Atmadrishti (Page 25-26): Such individuals remain detached from the world, are always happy, possess qualities like modesty, compassion, mildness of passions, faith, ability to conceal others' faults, benevolence, equanimity, receptivity to virtues, magnanimity, tolerance, amiability, adherence to truth, sweet speech, deep thought, profound knowledge, understanding of scriptures, gratitude, knowledge of reality, knowledge of dharma, humility, balanced worldly conduct, and natural modesty, free from sinful actions.
Places of Abode for Atmadarshan (Page 26): The soul, which is eternal, the doer and enjoyer of its karma, liberation, and the path to liberation.
Special Inspiration for the Seeker (Page 26-27): Emphasizes the worship of true faith, continuous exposure to the teachings of truth, absorbing these teachings with deep feeling, following the Guru's advice, cultivating interest in Satsang, scriptures, and truth, confessing one's faults, and gradually eroding the identification with the body.
Essential Points for the Seeker (Page 27-31): Repeatedly gaining the understanding of the Soul, discerning between soul-consciousness and non-soul, understanding the difference between the outer peel and the inner fruit of a banana for this discernment, partial stability in soul-consciousness leads to self-realization, manifesting supreme Samadhi leads to true monasticism and eventual liberation, 24-hour awareness that the Soul is the knower, focusing on the singular goal of the ultimate reality, integrating principles and spirituality for liberation, experiencing the Soul as the beyond the senses, perception, and intellect. Nishchay Samyagdarshan is paramount. The purity of Samyagdarshan increases with the stages of spiritual progress.
The path to Atmadarshan (Page 29-33): Knowledge precedes experience, but Atmadarshan is considered the cause for the ultimate attainment. One first knows the Soul through the Guru's teachings and then develops faith in it. Continuous practice, patience, and faith are essential. The document encourages embracing the qualities and teachings of Gurus and developing a disposition like cotton—pure, light, and tender.
Practice and Self-Effort (Page 33-35): Emphasis is placed on hearing (10 mins), contemplation (20 mins), and meditation (20 mins). True faith is achieved through intellectual understanding and experiential decision. The most crucial element for attaining Samyagdarshan is Purusharth (self-effort). The text outlines the importance of maintaining awareness of the distinction between the self and non-self, and the gradual purification of the soul.

Appendices:

Appendix 1: List of Important Technical Terms: Defines terms like Atma (Soul), Darshan (Vision/Faith), Aapta (Perfected Being), Kashaya (Passions), Nirvichikitsva (Absence of disgust), etc.
Appendix 2: Who is Eligible for Atmadarshan (Mahavir's Teachings)? Lists the qualifications, including being a seeker of the Guru's feet, desiring subtle teachings, appreciating virtues, observing vows, resolving one's faults, engaging in conscious practices, valuing solitude, regulating diet and conduct, and suppressing ego.

In essence, "Atmadarshan" is a guide to spiritual realization within the Jain tradition, emphasizing right faith, knowledge, conduct, and the indispensable role of a Guru and self-effort in achieving liberation.