Buddh Vachan

This document is a catalog for Jain Education International, listing various books published by Brahmachari Devpriya V.A. The core of the document is the introduction and content of a book titled "Buddh Vachan" (The Word of the Buddha), compiled by Mahasthavir Janatilok and translated into Hindi by Bhikshu Anand Kausalyayan.

Here's a breakdown of the key information:

Book Title: Buddh Vachan (बुद्ध-व च न) Compiler: Mahasthavir Janatilok (महास्थविर नानातिलोक) Translator: Bhikshu Anand Kausalyayan (भिक्षु आनन्द कौसल्यायन) Publisher: Devpriya V.A. (प्रधानमन्त्री, महाबोधि-सभा, सारनाथ (बनारस)) Printer: Mahendranath Pandey, Allahabad Law Journal Press, Allahabad. First Edition: Buddha Era 2480 (बुद्धाब्द २४८०)

Introduction (Bhumika) - Key Points:

• Authenticity of Buddha's Teachings: The introduction discusses the authenticity of the Buddhist scriptures, specifically the Tripitaka (Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka), as the most authoritative collection of the Buddha's and his disciples' teachings.
• Nature of the Tripitaka:
  • Sutta Pitaka: Contains teachings in a conversational style.
  • Vinaya Pitaka: Contains rules and regulations for monks.
  • Abhidhamma Pitaka: Contains Buddhist philosophy in technical terms.
• Language of the Tripitaka: The text is in Pali (or Magadhi). The introduction acknowledges scholarly debates regarding the distinction between Magadhi (as seen in Ashoka's inscriptions) and Pali, particularly concerning grammatical variations. However, it emphasizes that Pali brings one closest to the Buddha's teachings in both language and content.
• Dating and Preservation: The Tripitaka was compiled into writing in the first century CE in Sri Lanka, after being sung and recited in three Buddhist councils following the Buddha's parinirvana.
• Addressing Doubts: The introduction preemptively addresses concerns about potential interpolations in the Tripitaka due to its compilation 500 years after the Buddha's passing. It argues that even if some inconsistencies exist, the Tripitaka remains the most reliable source for understanding the Buddha's teachings.
• The "Buddha-Vachan" Compilation: The book "Buddh Vachan" is presented as a carefully curated selection from the Tripitaka, arranged in a systematic and coherent manner to form a structured scripture. The compiler, Mahasthavir Janatilok, is praised for his expertise in Pali and his dedication to this work.
• Translator's Effort: Bhikshu Anand Kausalyayan describes his meticulous process of translating from Pali into Hindi, striving to remain faithful to the original meaning while making it accessible in contemporary language.

Core Teachings of the Buddha (as presented in the text):

The document then delves into the core teachings, structured around the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, as found in the Sutta Pitaka.

1. Dukkha (Suffering) - The First Noble Truth:

   • Explains that birth, old age, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, distress, and despair are all forms of suffering.
   • The five aggregates of clinging (form, feeling, perception, mental formations, consciousness) are fundamentally suffering.
   • Detailed explanations are given for each aspect of suffering (birth, aging, death, etc.) and the components of the aggregates.
   • The impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and non-self nature of all phenomena are highlighted.

2. Dukkha Samudaya (The Origin of Suffering) - The Second Noble Truth:

   • Identifies craving (Trishna) – sensual craving, craving for existence, and craving for non-existence – as the root cause of suffering.
   • Explains how craving arises from sensory contact, feelings, perceptions, and the cycle of dependent origination (Pratītyasamutpāda).
   • Illustrates how craving leads to attachment, existence, birth, and ultimately, continued suffering.

3. Dukkha Nirodha (The Cessation of Suffering) - The Third Noble Truth:

   • States that the cessation of suffering comes with the complete fading away and cessation of craving, its abandonment, renunciation, and liberation.
   • This cessation leads to Nirvana, the unconditioned, the end of suffering, aging, and death.
   • Nirvana can be attained in this very life, characterized by peace, liberation, and freedom from regret.

4. Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Patipada (The Path to the Cessation of Suffering) - The Fourth Noble Truth:

   • Identifies the Noble Eightfold Path as the way to the cessation of suffering. This path is presented as the Middle Way, avoiding extremes of indulgence and self-mortification.
   • The eight components of the path are:
     • Wisdom (Prajñā):
       • Right View (Samyak Drishti)
       • Right Resolve (Samyak Sankalpa)
     • Ethical Conduct (Śīla):
       • Right Speech (Samyak Vācī)
       • Right Action (Samyak Karmānta)
       • Right Livelihood (Samyak Ājīva)
     • Mental Discipline (Samādhi):
       • Right Effort (Samyak Vyāyāma)
       • Right Mindfulness (Samyak Smṛti)
       • Right Concentration (Samyak Samādhi)

Detailed Explanations of the Eightfold Path Components:

The document then provides detailed explanations for each of the eight factors, drawing extensively from the Sutta Pitaka, with references to specific Nikayas (e.g., Majjhima Nikaya (M), Samyutta Nikaya (S), Digha Nikaya (D), Anguttara Nikaya (A), Khuddaka Nikaya (Kh)).

• Right View: Understanding suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. It also emphasizes avoiding extreme views and speculative questions that do not lead to liberation.
• Right Resolve: Cultivating thoughts of renunciation, non-ill-will, and non-harming.
• Right Speech: Abstaining from lying, divisive speech, harsh speech, and idle chatter. Speaking truthfully, kindly, and beneficially.
• Right Action: Abstaining from killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct.
• Right Livelihood: Earning a living ethically, avoiding trades that harm sentient beings.
• Right Effort: The four kinds of right effort: the effort to prevent unarisen evil, to abandon arisen evil, to develop arisen good, and to maintain arisen good.
• Right Mindfulness: Developing awareness of the body, feelings, mind, and mental objects (dhammas). This includes practices like analyzing the body's composition and impermanence.
• Right Concentration: Cultivating mental absorption through the four jhānas, leading to heightened awareness and clarity.

Concluding Remarks:

The document concludes with an appendix explaining various Pali terms and concepts, providing further clarification on the teachings. It also lists other books published by the organization.

In essence, "Buddh Vachan" is presented as an accessible and authentic collection of the Buddha's core teachings, focusing on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, designed to guide individuals towards the cessation of suffering and the attainment of liberation. The text emphasizes the importance of understanding impermanence, the causes of suffering, and the practical steps towards overcoming it through ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom.