Confession Path To Self Liberation

"Confession: The Path to Self-Liberation" by Acharyadev Shrimad Vijay Gunaratnasurishwarji Maharaj Saheb, published by Jingun Aaradhak Trust, is a Jain text that emphasizes the importance of confession and atonement as a means to achieve spiritual purification and liberation. The book is dedicated to all those who have the will to confess, highlighting the transformative power of acknowledging and repenting for one's mistakes.

The author, a highly respected Jain Acharya with extensive knowledge of scriptures and spiritual practices, presents confession as a crucial rite within the Jain tradition, capable of washing away sins and making the soul pure and sacred. The book draws parallels with natural purification processes, suggesting that just as a contaminated river can be purified, a soul burdened by sins can achieve purity through confession.

The text is structured to guide the reader through the process of self-reflection and repentance. It begins with the "Internal thoughts of a great soul," where a fictionalized narrator vividly details a lifetime of sins committed from childhood onwards, covering a wide spectrum of transgressions including theft, lying, indulgence in sensual pleasures, violence towards living beings, mistreatment of others, and spiritual transgressions. This section serves to illustrate the pervasive nature of sin and the deep remorse that can arise from self-awareness.

Following this, the book explores "Worries of future," depicting the narrator's anxieties about the dire consequences of these sins in the afterlife, painting a grim picture of hellish suffering.

The "Consolation of Gurudev" section offers the spiritual guidance and reassurance from a Guru figure. The Guru praises the narrator for their honesty and willingness to confess, highlighting confession as a mark of true devotion and a necessary step towards inner peace and spiritual development. The Guru emphasizes that hiding sins, even small ones, can lead to severe consequences, while sincere confession, even of past mistakes, can lead to liberation.

The book then delves into the "Importance of confession," explaining its efficacy in purifying the soul and its role in achieving salvation. It clarifies what constitutes "impure confession" and outlines the ten faults associated with it, such as confessing out of shame, pride, or with ulterior motives.

The text further defines "Who is eligible for the penance of self-criticism?" and stresses that "Self-criticism is a must for all," including spiritual leaders themselves, who must also confess their faults. It warns against the detrimental effects of hidden sins, which can lead to repeated suffering across numerous lifetimes.

A significant portion of the book is dedicated to "The withered flowers who didn't confess," presenting numerous allegorical stories and historical examples from Jain scriptures. These narratives illustrate the tragic consequences of not confessing sins, highlighting how individuals who failed to atone for their actions, even minor ones, suffered greatly in subsequent births. Examples include:

• Rukmini's 1 lakh births: Her unconfessed passion led to prolonged suffering.
• A farmer killing a louse: An intense act of violence, even towards a small creature, carried severe karmic repercussions.
• Rajja Sadhvi drinking unboiled water: Her subtle error in judgment and subsequent lack of confession led to disease and rebirth.
• Marichi's pride and falsehood: His unconfessed pride and lie resulted in a long cycle of births.
• Ardrakumar's Illustration: His lack of confession for his past transgressions led to rebirth in difficult circumstances.
• Metarjmuni's lower caste and attainment of durlabhbodhiness: His unconfessed feelings of disdain for initiation led to karmic consequences.
• Chitrak and Sambhuti's birth to a butcher: Their unconfessed negative thoughts led to unfortunate rebirths.
• Ilachiputra's failure to confess: His unconfessed pride and attraction resulted in further karmic entanglements.
• Kamalshri's birth as a dog and monkey: Her unconfessed desires and attachment led to degraded births.
• Rupsen's deterioration in seven births: His unconfessed sensual thoughts and actions caused a chain of rebirths and suffering.
• Chandra & Sarga's unconfessed anger: Their uncontrolled anger and subsequent lack of confession led to severe physical punishment in future lives.
• Laxmana Sadhviji's suffering for not confessing: Her unconfessed thought, even though remorseful, led to prolonged penance and multiple births.
• Princess Rishidatta's slander: Her previous birth's unconfessed slander resulted in suffering and false accusations in later lives.
• Harishchandra's stay at the cemetery: His and Taramati's unconfessed actions led to severe hardship.
• King Shripal's suffering due to non-confession: His unconfessed insults and forced actions resulted in leprosy.
• Punishment of theft & Devki Mata: Devki's unconfessed theft led to separation from her children.
• Dhandhankumar's hurdles: His unconfessed exploitation of farmers caused future suffering.
• Draupadi's marriage to five men: Her unconfessed desire for multiple husbands led to this unique situation.
• Unconfessed jealousy: The jealousy of Pitha and Mahapitha led to their rebirth as females.
• Anjanasundari: Her jealousy and actions towards another led to karmic consequences.
• Queen Kuntala's jealousy: Her envy led to rebirth as a bitch.
• Bhagavan Mahavir Swami's past actions: His unconfessed actions in previous births led to suffering for others.
• Harikeshibali's birth in an ancestry of executioner: His unconfessed pride in his ancestry resulted in a lower birth.
• Kalavati's wrists were cut-off: Her unconfessed act of harming a parrot led to a severe physical punishment.
• Eggs held in hands: Rukmini's unconfessed act of touching eggs led to separation from her child.
• Devananda's embryo transfer: Her unconfessed theft led to a karmic consequence related to Lord Mahavir's birth.
• Disrespecting knowledge: An Acharya's unconfessed disrespect for preaching led to leprosy and dullness.
• Using wealth for religious purpose: A merchant's unconfessed misuse of temple funds led to numerous unfortunate births.

Conversely, the book also presents "Atoning the sins and becoming glittering stars," showcasing examples of individuals who achieved spiritual heights through confession and atonement, such as:

• Kamalaxmi: Who achieved omniscience after confessing and atoning for her multifaceted sins.
• Pushpachula: Who purified herself by confession and attained salvation.
• Khandhak Mahamuni: Whose acceptance of suffering and penance, despite being innocent, led to omniscience.
• Arnikumar: Who repented, confessed, and attained salvation.

The text also touches upon the "Power of Atonement," emphasizing that it can heal spiritual wounds just as medical treatment heals physical ailments. It highlights the importance of seeking guidance from a qualified Guru for proper atonement.

The book concludes with "Question and Answers" and "How to write the sins?", providing practical advice for engaging in the practice of confession. It reiterates that sincerity, humility, and a complete disclosure of all known and even forgotten sins are crucial for effective atonement.

Overall, "Confession: The Path to Self-Liberation" serves as a profound guide for spiritual seekers within the Jain tradition, advocating confession not as a punishment, but as a liberating practice that purifies the soul, rectifies past errors, and paves the way for ultimate self-realization and liberation.