Charitra Sara - Book Summary | JainGPT

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Charitra Sara" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Charitra Sara ( Essence of Conduct) Author(s): Chamundrai, Indralal Shastri, Udaylal Kasliwal (Editors/Researches) Publisher: Manikchand Digambar Jain Granthamala Samiti

Overall Purpose: "Charitra Sara" is a foundational Jain text that elaborates on the principles of righteous conduct, primarily focusing on the path to liberation (moksha) as prescribed in the Digambara Jain tradition. It systematically details the essential components of Jain spiritual practice, starting with right faith (Samyaktva) and progressing through various vows and disciplines.

Key Sections and Concepts:

Mangalacharan (Invocation): The text begins with auspicious invocations, praising the Arihants, Siddhas, and Sadhus, and the Dharma itself, highlighting Dharma as the source of all happiness and the path to ultimate bliss.
Samyaktva (Right Faith):
- This section defines Samyaktva as unwavering faith in the teachings of the Jinas, the path to liberation.
- It outlines the eight Angas (limbs) of Samyaktva:
  - Nishankhitatva (Freedom from doubt): Not doubting any aspect of the Jina's teachings.
  - Nishankshata (Freedom from desire): Lack of craving for worldly pleasures or extraordinary powers.
  - Nirvichikitsa (Freedom from revulsion): Not finding fault or disgust in the purity of the body, etc., or in the Jain path.
  - Amudhadrishtitva (Correct View): Not being misled by false beliefs or wrong paths.
  - Upabrahana (Strengthening): Supporting and encouraging one's own and others' spiritual practice.
  - Sthitikaraṇa (Maintaining Steadfastness): Preventing oneself and others from falling from the path during times of adversity.
  - Vātsalya (Affection/Compassion): Genuine affection for the Four-fold Assembly (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen).
  - Prabhavana (Glorification): Spreading and glorifying the Jain teachings through knowledge, austerity, and devotion.
- Samyaktva is considered the indispensable foundation for all other virtues and vows. Without it, even practice of vows is considered incomplete or ineffective for liberation.
- It also lists seven common virtues associated with Samyaktva: Sanvega (spiritual longing), Nirveda (dispassion), Ninda (self-condemnation for faults), Garha (reproach), Upshama (suppression of passions), Bhakti (devotion), and Anukampa (compassion).
- The text mentions five Aticharas (transgressions) of Samyaktva: Shanka (doubt), Kānksha (desire for worldly things/powers), Vichikitsa (fault-finding), Anyadrishti (following other faiths), and Prashansa-samstava (praising other faiths).
Pancha Anuvratas (Five Minor Vows):
- This extensive section details the five vows undertaken by householders (Shravakas), including their respective transgressions (Aticharas).
- Ahimsa (Non-violence):
  - Aticharas: Bandha (binding), Vadha (striking/killing), Chheda (cutting), Atibhāra (overloading), Annapāna-nirodha (withholding food and water).
- Satya (Truthfulness):
  - Aticharas: Mithyopadesha (false counsel), Rahō'bhyākhyāna (secret slander), Kūṭalēkhakriyā (forgery), Nyāsāpahāra (misappropriation of trust), Sakāra-mantrabheda (revealing secrets).
- Asteya (Non-stealing):
  - Aticharas: Stēnaprāyōga (instigating theft), Tadāhr̥tādāna (accepting stolen goods), Viruddha-rājyātikrama (violating laws/customs), Hīnādhika-mānōnmāna (short measure/weight), Pratirūpaka-vyavahāra (counterfeiting).
- Brahmacharya (Celibacy/Chastity):
  - Aticharas: Paravivāhakaraṇa (arranging marriages for others), Itvarika-aparigrahitāgama (union with promiscuous women), Itvarika-parigrahitāgama (union with married women), Ananga-krīḍā (non-procreative sexual acts), Kāmatīvrābhinivēśa (intense lustful thoughts/desires).
- Aparigraha (Non-possession/Limited Possessions):
  - Aticharas: Kṣētra-vāstu-hiraṇya-suvarṇa-dhana-dhānya-dāsī-dāsa-kūppamiti (excessive possessions of land, houses, wealth, grain, servants, utensils, etc.).
- The text also briefly mentions Rātri-bhōjana-viramaṇa (Abstinence from night meals) as a sixth vow, which is often included as part of the Anuvratas or as a prelude to the next set of vows.
Shila Saptaka (Sevenfold Virtues/Sub-vows): These are extensions of the Anuvratas and are divided into two categories:
- Three Guṇavratas (Qualitative Vows):
  - Digvirati (Limited movement in directions): Restricting movement to a defined area.
    - Aticharas: Urdhva-atikrama (exceeding upward limits), Adhō'tikrama (exceeding downward limits), Tiryak'atikrama (exceeding sideways limits), Kshetra-vr̥d'dhi (coveting more land), Smr̥ty'antādhāna (forgetting one's limitations).
  - Dēśavirati (Limited activity in a region): Further restricting activities within the defined area.
    - Aticharas: Ānayana (bringing things from outside the restricted area), Prēpyaprayōga (sending others to do prohibited things), Shab'dānupāta (making sounds to indicate prohibited actions), Rūpānupāta (using visual signals), Pudgala-kshēpa (throwing objects to indicate actions).
  - Anarthadanda Viramaṇa (Abstinence from useless/harmful actions): Avoiding actions that lead to harm or are pointless.
    - Aticharas: Kandarpa (amorous actions/playful gestures), Kautukya (unnecessary curiosity/playfulness), Maukharya (excessive talkativeness), Asamikshya-adhikaraṇa (unthinking actions, e.g., cutting plants without thought), Upabhoga-paribhogā-narthakya (wasteful use of consumables).
- Four Shikshavratas (Training Vows):
  - Sāmayika (Meditation/Equanimity): Engaging in spiritual contemplation and maintaining equanimity for a fixed period.
    - Aticharas: Kāya-duḥ-praṇidhāna (improper posture/mindfulness of body), Vāk-duḥ-praṇidhāna (improper speech/mindfulness of speech), Manō-duḥ-praṇidhāna (improper thoughts/mindfulness of mind), Anādara (disrespect/lack of attention), Smr̥ty'anupasthāna (forgetfulness of the purpose).
  - Prōṣadha Upavāsa (Fasting on specific days): Observing fasts on auspicious days like Purnima, Ashtami, Chaturdashi.
    - Aticharas: Apratyavēkṣitā-apramārjitōtsarga (defecating/urinating in uninspected/uncleaned places), Apratyavēkṣitā-apramārjitādāna (taking/using uninspected/uncleaned items), Apratyavēkṣitā-apramārjita-samstarōpakramaṇa (using uninspected/uncleaned bedding), Anādara (disrespect/lack of enthusiasm), Smr̥ty'anupasthāna (forgetfulness).
  - Upabhōga-Paribhōga Parimāṇa (Limiting the use of consumables): Restricting the use of edible and non-edible items.
    - Aticharas: Sacchittāhāra (eating raw living substances), Sacchitta-sambandhāhāra (eating things connected to living substances), Sacchitta-sanmiśrāhāra (eating mixed with living substances), Abhisavāhāra (fermented/processed substances), Duḥpakka-āhāra (badly cooked food).
  - Atithi-Samvibhāga (Sharing with the deserving/monastics): Offering food and necessities to monks and other deserving individuals without expecting anything in return.
    - Aticharas: Sacchitta-nikshēpa (placing food on living substances), Sacchitta-pidhāna (covering food with living substances), Paravyapada (misrepresenting the donor/recipient), Mātsarya (stinginess), Kālātikrama (delaying the offering).
Anagara Dharma (Monastic Vows/Conduct): This section outlines the stricter vows and principles for ascetics (munis/anagaras) who have renounced worldly life. It emphasizes the Ten virtues of an ascetic:
- Uttama Kshama (Supreme Forgiveness)
- Uttama Mārda (Supreme Humility)
- Uttama Ārjava (Supreme Straightforwardness)
- Uttama Shaucha (Supreme Purity)
- Uttama Satya (Supreme Truth)
- Uttama Samyama (Supreme Restraint)
- Uttama Tapas (Supreme Austerity)
- Uttama Tyaga (Supreme Renunciation)
- Uttama Akinchanya (Supreme Non-possession)
- Uttama Brahmacharya (Supreme Celibacy) Each of these virtues is described in detail, including their transgressions and the benefits of their practice.
Six Essential Duties (Ārṣa Shatkarma) for Householders:
- Ijyā (Worship): Adoring the Jinas.
- Vārtā (Livelihood): Engaging in righteous means of earning.
- Datti (Charity): Giving to deserving recipients.
- Swādhyāya (Study): Studying scriptures.
- Samyama (Restraint): Practicing vows.
- Tapas (Austerity): Practicing penances.
Punishment of Six Vices: The text also discusses the avoidance of the "six vices" (Dya and Madya) which are gambling, hunting, theft, adultery, consumption of meat, and consumption of alcohol, highlighting their dire consequences.
Tapas (Austerities): A significant portion details various forms of austerity, both external (Bahya) and internal (Abhyantara).
- External: Anashana (fasting), Avamaudarya (eating less), Vritti-parisamkhyana (limiting food intake by specific rules), Rasatyaga (abstaining from pleasurable tastes), Vivikta-shayyasana (living in solitude), Kayaklesha (bodily austerities).
- Internal: Prayashchitta (atonement), Vinaya (humility/respect), Vaiyavrittya (service), Swadhyaya (study), Dhyana (meditation).
Sixteen Bhavanas (Meditations/Dispositions) for obtaining Tirthankara Namakarma: The text lists sixteen meditations considered essential for accumulating the karma that leads to becoming a Tirthankara. These include virtues like pure faith, humility, adherence to vows, constant study, spiritual longing, charity, austerity, harmony among monks, service to monks, devotion to Arihants, Acharyas, scholars, and the scripture, observance of essential duties, glorifying the path, and fostering affection for the teachings.
Pariṣaha Jay (Overcoming Hardships): The text explains the importance of enduring twenty-two types of external and internal hardships with equanimity as a crucial aspect of spiritual practice, leading to the purification of karma.
Dhyana (Meditation): It describes different types of meditation, including Ārta (distressful) and Raudra (fierce) meditation, which are to be avoided, and Dharma (virtuous) and Shukla (pure) meditation, which are essential for spiritual progress. Shukla Dhyana is further divided into four stages.
Sublime Powers (Riddhis): The text also touches upon the extraordinary powers that can be attained through intense spiritual practice and austerities, such as the eight powers of Vikriya (transformation), the powers of Charana (movement), the powers of the body, and others.

Structure and Style: The text is written in Sanskrit, employing a learned and systematic approach. It often quotes or refers to earlier authoritative Jain texts and philosophical principles. The explanations are thorough, often including detailed descriptions of transgressions and their implications.

Significance: "Charitra Sara" serves as a comprehensive guide to the ethical and spiritual conduct prescribed in Jainism. It lays out the progressive stages of spiritual development, emphasizing the foundational role of right faith and the rigorous practices required for renunciation and eventual liberation. It is a vital text for understanding the practical application of Jain philosophy in daily life and monastic discipline.