Bhav Aalochna Guide - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Bhav Aalochna Guide" by Chandrashekharvijay, based on the provided pages:

Purpose and Scope:

The "Bhav Aalochna Guide" is a Jain text designed to assist individuals in understanding and performing Bhav Aalochna, which translates to "Internal Reflection" or "Self-Examination," aimed at achieving atonement for sins. The guide is a translation of a work by Param Pujya Panyas Chandrashekhar Maharaj Saheb, guided by Param Pujya Jagatshekhar Maharaj Saheb, and translated into English by Sahil Jagawat. The core purpose is to provide a structured approach for self-accountability and spiritual purification within the Jain tradition.

Key Principles of Bhav Aalochna:

Comprehensive Accountability: The text emphasizes that an individual is accountable for sinful acts, whether performed directly, caused through others, influenced, or even appreciated.
Atonement for All Sins: It stresses the importance of atoning for all sins, even those committed during activities like games or as unintended consequences. The thought of committing a sin is also considered significant and requires atonement.
Detailed Record Keeping: A crucial step in Bhav Aalochna is to write down all sins in detail. The guide suggests using a notebook with at least forty pages, dedicating specific pages to different categories of sins.
Clarity and Specificity: When recording sins, it's advised to include details such as the type of sin, how many times it was committed, when, where, and under whose influence.
Seeking Guidance: For complex terms or unclear concepts, it is recommended to seek help from elders or spiritual guides (Gurus/Maharaj Saheb). Readers are encouraged to approach the text with an open mind and to consult a Guru for clarification if any points seem extreme or irrelevant.
Understanding Nuance: Many words and concepts in Jainism have deep, multi-layered meanings. For instance, a "lie" extends beyond mere falsehood to include any word that hurts or harms another. Similarly, "tap" refers specifically to Jain fasting.

The 22 Categories of Sins (and beyond):

The guide outlines a comprehensive list of 22 primary categories of sins that require atonement. These categories are further elaborated with specific examples:

Violence (Himsa): Encompasses harm to all forms of life (two-sensory to five-sensory beings) and stationary organisms. It includes actions related to water usage (filtering, mixing), use of appliances, handling of food, mistreatment of animals, involvement in agriculture, destruction of habitats, use of poisons, construction of industries, actions during menstruation, impure food/water consumption, causing harm to others (even children), dealing in weapons, digging the earth, killing insects, sharing food, setting off explosives, not cleaning vessels promptly, using rat cages, tying up pets, piercing animals, consuming stale food, and engaging in sports or activities that cause harm.
Lies (Satya): Includes lying due to emotions (anger, greed, fear, etc.), lying about important matters (land, women, wealth), fabricating documents, giving wrong advice, revealing secrets, defaming others, false accusations, harsh speech, and using false weights and measures.
Theft (Asteya): Covers stealing from homes, tax evasion, adulteration, traveling without tickets, assisting thieves, manipulating legal processes, stealing from nature, cheating in exams, stealing from donation boxes, and resorting to bribery.
Abhramhacharya (Celibacy/Chastity Violation): This is a broad category including consensual or non-consensual sexual acts, sexual thoughts, engaging with prostitutes, lustful thoughts or actions, bestiality, masturbation, rape, touching or seeing private parts, marriage of dolls, lewd behavior with colleagues, exploitation of vulnerable individuals, affairs, viewing pornography, inappropriate behavior during religious events, revealing clothing, live-in relationships, polygamy, and using performance-enhancing substances or toys.
Possession/Unjust Ways to Earn (Parigraha/Ayasht Arjan): Includes knowingly or unknowingly breaking rules of possession, dealing in prohibited items (weapons, chemicals, alcohol), hoarding wealth beyond limits, feeling attachment to wealth, and acquiring wealth through deceit or by taking what belongs to others.
Anger (Krodh): Involves excessive anger, speaking uncontrollably while angry, cursing others, and becoming angry at religious figures or institutions.
Pride (Man): Includes feeling superior due to position, wealth, or religion, and consequently insulting or demeaning others.
Illusion, Delusion, Betrayal (Maya, Moh, Vishwasghat): Encompasses deceiving others, suicidal thoughts, wishing ill to well-wishers, and engaging in dark arts or hypnotism.
Anguish, Discord (Kashay, Kalsaha): Covers causing unrest in society or family, creating discord among community members, separating from family due to disputes, and marital discord.
Backbiting, Defaming (Ninda, Nirdaya): Includes gossiping, tarnishing someone's image, falsely blaming others for personal gain, criticizing donors, and speaking negatively about religious figures or practices.
Following/Preaching Undesirable Teachings: This category addresses embracing or promoting beliefs and practices contrary to Jainism, including worshipping other deities, following self-proclaimed gurus, disbelieving in Tirthankar Bhagwan, and engaging in rituals of other religions.
Wrong Knowledge & Disrespecting True Knowledge: Covers studying during restricted times, disrespecting teachers or knowledge, misinterpreting scriptures, destroying books or learning tools, avoiding studies, and misusing educational funds.
Impropriety with regards to Pratimaji (Deities/Idols), Temples and Holy Places: This involves doubting divine teachings, reducing others' faith, neglecting religious contributions, desecrating idols, losing or breaking temple property, performing rituals improperly, consuming food in temples, and not showing proper respect.
Impropriety with regards to Celibacy/Celibate Ascetics (Munis/Aryikas): This section details various forms of disrespect towards Jain monks and nuns, including criticism, not serving them appropriately, misusing their teachings, taking their belongings, and acting against their guidance.
Breaking Fasts, Creating Hindrances, or Disrespecting Ritual Performers: Includes not performing prescribed fasts, breaking vows, criticizing fasting, not limiting certain foods, not undergoing austerities like loch (hair plucking), and vomiting during fasts.
Movies, Plays, Sitcoms, Divorce, Abortion, Contraception, etc.: This section addresses engaging with entertainment, supporting divorce or abortion, using contraception, and engaging with the internet for various purposes including cyberbullying and social media use.
Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, Meat, Gambling, etc.: This covers the consumption of forbidden substances, smoking, engaging in gambling and speculation, and investing in companies dealing with such products.
Roots and Tubers (Kandmool) & Eating at Night: Includes consuming food that violates Jain principles, eating after sunset, consuming improper fruits, using stale batter, consuming certain dairy products and processed foods, eating food that has changed in form, and consuming forbidden items.
Dvidhal (Usage of pulses with uncooked curd, milk): This refers to consuming pulses with uncooked milk, curd, or other dairy products, or consuming such combinations prepared improperly.
Devouring/Stealing/Wrongly Allocating Money for God/Guru (Devdravya/Gurudravya): This category addresses the misuse of funds dedicated to deities or spiritual teachers, including diverting funds, their destruction, obtaining loans against them, or not fulfilling obligations.
Devouring/Stealing/Wrongly Allocating Money for Knowledge or Common Purposes: This covers the misuse of funds designated for knowledge-related activities or public institutions like temples and trusts.
Insulting/Neglecting Followers of Your Religion & Saat Kshetra (Seven Areas of Jain Dharma): This involves having disrespectful behavior towards fellow Jains and neglecting the prosperity of the Jain community.
Atichaar with regards to Veeryachar (Vigorous Practice): This relates to negligence in daily duties, misbehavior with gurus, improper performance of rituals, hiding wealth during donations, and not fulfilling vows.
Dishonouring Vows (Vrat) and Pachhkaan: This includes exceeding the limits of vows, modifying them unilaterally, indulging in anarthdand (unreasonable acts), engaging in vikatha (frivolous discussions), playing games, and not taking prescribed vows during auspicious times.

Prayaschitt (Penance):

The guide also provides information on Prayaschitt (penance or atonement) and the methods to convert one type of austerity to another if specific practices are not possible. For instance, one Upvaas (fast) can be converted to two Ayambil or four Ekashana. Other forms of penance include learning new gathas (verses) or performing Samayik (meditation).

Important Points for Practice:

Stock Market Avoidance: It is advised to stay away from the stock market, particularly shares of companies involved in certain industries (fisheries, meat, power generation, mining). Mutual funds are also discouraged due to lack of control over investments.
Profession Identification: Individuals are urged to identify their profession and the sinful activities associated with it, as not all sins might be covered in the general list.

Concluding Section:

The final pages include a section for personal details (name, address, age), the date of Bhav Aalochna, and a commitment to perform specific acts of penance such as Ayambil, Attam (fasting for eight days), Chhath (fasting for six days), Upvaas (fasting), Ekashana (one meal), Biyashna (two meals), learning Navkar mantra or gathas, performing Samayik, dedicating time to Swadhyay (self-study), and contributing to Jeevdaya (compassion for living beings). It also prompts the user to indicate if they have performed Bhav Aalochna before and with whom.