Dashvaikalika Sutra - Book Summary

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The Dashvaikalika Sutra, authored by Acharya Shyyambhav Suri, is a foundational text in Jainism, particularly for newly initiated monks and nuns. It serves as a comprehensive guide to the essential aspects of the monastic code of conduct (Shramanaachar). Its importance is such that it is now used in place of the Acharaanga Sutra during initiation ceremonies, and new ascetics are taught or asked to remember it immediately after rituals like pratikkraman. Dr. Yashodhara Vadhvani Shah, a scholar from Deccan College, Pune, has presented a critical analysis of this Sutra.

Origin and Significance:

Authorship: The text is attributed to Acharya Shyyambhav Suri (also known as Seyyambhava or Sijambhav).
Unanga Shruta: It is considered part of the "Unanga Shruta" (supplementary scriptures), which were compiled after the original twelve Angas of the Jain canon were gradually lost due to the decline in memory power and the absence of written traditions. These Unanga texts aimed to preserve the essence of the original teachings.
Importance in Traditions: While Digambara tradition identifies fourteen Unanga texts, only two – Uttaradhyayana and Dashvaikalika – are also significant in the Shvetambara tradition's "Angabahya" (external to Angas) canon.
Classification: In the Nandi Sutra (circa 503 CE), the Dashvaikalika was classified as a "Kalika" (readable at specific times) text. Later, its classification shifted, and it was placed third among the "Mulasutras" (fundamental texts).
Meaning of "Mulasutra": The term "Mulasutra" can refer to a commentary on a fundamental text or a text that encapsulates the core principles of the faith. Scholars debate whether Dashvaikalika is a "Mulasutra" because it is useful for new monks (muni life's beginning) or because it nourishes the four fundamental qualities of the soul: knowledge, perception, conduct, and austerity.

Author and His Story:

Acharya Shyyambhav Suri was initially a learned Vedic Brahmin named Shyyambhav Bhatt.
Prophetically identified by his guru, Acharya Prabhavaswami, as a potential successor, Shyyambhav was sent to a Vedic sacrifice where he was to utter a specific phrase.
This encounter led Shyyambhav to question the true essence of knowledge. After exploring Vedic teachings and then the teachings of the Arhat Dharma, he renounced his worldly life and became a disciple of Prabhavaswami, eventually becoming the fourth in the lineage.
Tragically, at the time of his renunciation, his wife was pregnant. Their son was named Manak. Upon learning about his father, Manak, at the age of seven or eight, set out to find him.
When they met, Shyyambhav, recognizing his son, accepted him as a disciple, concealing his paternal relationship. He soon realized Manak had a short lifespan of only six months.
To impart the essence of the vast Jain teachings within this limited time, Shyyambhav condensed the core principles of the Dvadasanga Ganipitaka (the twelve Angas) into this text, as mentioned in the Nijjuti (commentary).

Meaning of the Title "Dashvaikalika":

Several interpretations exist for the title:

Ten Meditations/Times: The text, comprising ten chapters, was compiled from afternoon until evening (trivikāla), giving it the name Dashvaikalika.
Ten Auspicious Times: It can be studied at ten different auspicious times (vikāla) of the day or night.
Vaitālīya Meter: The tenth chapter is composed in the Vaitālīya meter, hence the name Dashvaitālika, which could evolve into Dashvaikalika in Prakrit.

Textual Characteristics and Structure:

"Sutra" Designation: Despite being largely poetic (80-85% verse, with some prose sections, especially in chapter 4), it is called a "Sutra." This is justified by its concise and comprehensive presentation of the teachings of Lord Mahavir, as found in the vast Angas and Purvas. In Jain tradition, "Sutra" is synonymous with Shruta, Siddhanta, Agama, and other terms indicating divine pronouncements.
Verse Meter: Approximately 80% of the verses are in the Anushtubh meter, though not always strictly adhering to the 8-syllable rule. Chapters 6, 7, and 8 conclude with the Upajati meter, following the Sanskrit epic tradition of changing the final meter. The remaining 20% includes meters like Indra, Upendra, Vajra, Jagati, Trishtubh, and Gathas. The tenth chapter is in the Vaitālīya meter.
Language: The language is Ardhamagadhi, characterized by its brevity, depth, and sweetness.
Literary Devices: The text employs metaphors, similes, and anecdotes to clarify its subjects, such as a monk being gentle with householders like a bee with flowers or a fruit-eating bird with branches, or a diligent disciple's knowledge growing like a watered plant.

Thematic Content of the Ten Chapters and Two Culikas (Appendices):

The Dashvaikalika Sutra systematically covers the essential principles of Jain monasticism, with a strong emphasis on Ahimsa (non-violence).

Chapter 1 (Damma-pupphiya - The Flower of Dharma): Introduces the core principles of Dharma: Ahimsa, self-control (Samyama), and penance (Tapas) as the means to attain ultimate welfare, preventing future sins and eradicating past karma.
Chapter 2 (Sramanyapoorvakam - Preceding Asceticism): Addresses the importance of renouncing worldly desires, particularly attachment to the body and sensual pleasures. It emphasizes the need for strong determination to overcome mental weaknesses, a fervent desire for liberation, and unwavering faith in the Jain tradition.
Chapter 3 (Kshudra Achara Kathā - Stories of Minor Misconduct): Lists minor transgressions and inappropriate conduct that are acceptable for householders but considered serious offenses for monks.
Chapter 4 (Shad Jeevanikaya - The Six Types of Living Beings): Details the six categories of living beings (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Vegetation, and Moving beings – Trasas). It stresses the monk's responsibility to avoid harming any of these beings through their actions, speech, or thoughts. This chapter is also known as Dharmaprapti (instruction on Dharma) and outlines the necessary restraint in movement and behavior for practicing Ahimsa. It also touches upon the observance of abstaining from night meals as a form of Ahimsa.
Chapter 5 (Pindeshana - Alms-Seeking): Focuses on the principles of obtaining food. It discusses the appropriate time, place, and method for begging for alms to minimize violence and suffering. It emphasizes the monk's duty to sustain their body with minimal harm, acknowledging that all worldly objects may contain life.
Chapter 6 (Mahāchāra Kathā - Stories of Great Conduct): Discusses the practice of non-possession (Aparigraha). It highlights the importance of collecting only the minimum necessities for sustenance, such as a woolen garment, a begging bowl, and a broom (rajoharan), and obtaining these as alms rather than purchasing or taking them without permission. It also briefly discusses other vows.
Chapter 7 (Vakshuddhi - Purity of Speech): Explores the concept of verbal Ahimsa. It emphasizes speaking truthfully but also with kindness, avoiding words that are harsh or hurtful, and refraining from mixing truth with falsehood or speaking unverified statements that might mislead others.
Chapter 8 (Achara Pranidhi - Devotion to Conduct): Stresses the need for mental purity and a concentrated state free from passions (kashayas) to guide a monk's conduct correctly. It discusses unwavering focus on one's duties and adhering to the Dharma.
Chapter 9 (Vinaya Samadhi - Tranquility through Discipline): Focuses on the importance of self-discipline (Vinaya) for monastic life. It explains that discipline is the root of virtuous conduct, leading to the flourishing of the entire spiritual path and the eventual attainment of liberation. It highlights that discipline enables the proper observance of vows, freedom from passions, and protection of body and mind through control (guptis). It also describes physical and mental aspects of discipline, such as showing respect to elders and following their commands. It further elaborates on four types of Samadhi: Shruta (scriptural), Tapa (ascetic), and Achara (conduct) Samadhi, each with four sub-types.
Chapter 10 (Sa Bhikshu - That Monk): Concludes by defining the characteristics of a true monk through 21 verses, many of which summarize the essence of the preceding chapters. This chapter serves as a constant reminder and source of strength for the newly initiated.

Two Culikas (Appendices):

First Culika (Ratīvākyā - The Words of Desire/Attachment): Describes the dire consequences and suffering faced by monks who deviate from their path due to attachment to worldly pleasures, leading to unfortunate rebirths and hindering the attainment of enlightenment.
Second Culika (Vivikta Charya / Vichitra Charya - Solitary Conduct / Extraordinary Conduct): This appendix (also known as Vivikta Charya or Vichitra Charya) outlines the daily routine and unique lifestyle of a solitary monk, emphasizing the need to swim against the current of worldly desires (Samsara) to overcome the cycle of birth and death. It highlights that such disciplined, sense-conquering living leads to the protection of the soul and liberation from all suffering.

In essence, the Dashvaikalika Sutra is a comprehensive and practical manual for ascetics, guiding them through the fundamental principles and daily practices of Jain monasticism, with an overarching emphasis on non-violence and self-discipline.