Dasveyaliya Sutta - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Dasaveyāliya Sutta based on the provided text:

Title: Dasaveyāliya Sutta (दसवेयालिय सुत)

Authors: Ernst Leumann (Editor), Walther Schubring (Translator, with introduction and notes)

Publisher: Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi, Ahmedabad

Context: The Dasaveyāliya Sutta is a significant text within the Jain Āgama or Siddhānta, the canon of holy scriptures. It belongs to a group of texts called Mūlasutta, which are considered foundational and intended for monks and nuns at the beginning of their spiritual journey.

Origin and Purpose:

Tradition, as recorded in Hemacandra's Parisista Parvan, suggests the Dasaveyāliya Sutta was intended as an anthology to condense the essence of sacred lore.
It is attributed to Sejjambhava (Sayyambhava) who composed it for his son, Managa (Manaka), whose lifespan was predicted to be too short to study the entire Canon.
The work is believed to be a selection and metrical adaptation of existing texts, possibly from the 14 Purvas that preceded the Angas in traditional Jain chronology.
The title Dasaveyāliya likely relates to the original extent of the work, possibly comprising ten lectures or delivered over ten evenings. The term "veyaliya" itself can be linked to several Sanskrit words, possibly implying "related to the evening times" or "related to thought."

Structure and Content: The Dasaveyāliya Sutta is characterized by a mixture of contents, including:

General Principles and Rules: It lays down fundamental tenets and rules of monastic life.
Contemplations of a General Nature: Broader philosophical and ethical reflections are included.
Systematic Treatises: Some chapters delve into specific doctrinal or disciplinary topics.
Legends and Parables: Educational stories and parables are used to illustrate teachings.

The chapters are structured in an alternating pattern:

Even-numbered chapters (starting with the fourth) tend to focus on general subjects.
Odd-numbered chapters (starting with the fifth) address special topics.

The text is introduced with the solemn phrase, "O Long-Lived One, I have heard that the Lord spoke thus."

Key Themes and Chapters:

Chapter 1 (Drumapushpika): Focuses on Dharma as the highest blessing, emphasizing non-violence, self-control, and asceticism, revered even by gods. It uses the metaphor of bees collecting nectar from flowers to describe monks who gather alms without harming the givers.
Chapter 2 (Shramanapoorvaka): Discusses monkhood and the need to control desires. It distinguishes between one who unwillingly abstains from worldly pleasures and one who voluntarily renounces them. It also highlights the importance of controlling thoughts towards women and maintaining chastity.
Chapter 3 (Khuddakāchāro): Details the minor rules of conduct for monks and nuns, listing specific forbidden actions and items. It covers actions related to the body, possessions, and interactions with householders, emphasizing the importance of self-control and detachment.
Chapter 4 (Sajjeevaniyakā): This chapter is particularly significant as it presents the Six Groups of Souls (Sajjeevaniyakā): earth-bodied, water-bodied, fire-bodied, wind-bodied, plant-bodied, and moving (spontaneously moving) bodied souls. It elaborates on the concept of non-violence towards all living beings, detailing the monk's vows and the specific actions to be avoided to prevent injury to any life form. It outlines the five great vows (mahāvrata) and the sixth vow related to abstaining from night meals.
Chapter 5 (Pindeshanā): Focuses on the "begging-tour" (pindeshanā), providing detailed guidelines for monks and nuns on how to collect alms. It covers aspects like avoiding specific places, foods, and interactions to maintain purity of conduct and avoid sinful actions. It emphasizes meticulous inspection of food and utensils to ensure they are free from living beings and not prepared improperly.
Chapter 6 (Dharmadukā): This chapter is titled "Exposition of Dharma" and discusses various aspects of virtuous conduct, including non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, and non-possession. It reiterates the importance of avoiding harm to all living beings and describes various forbidden practices and their consequences.
Chapter 7 (Vakashuddhi): Focuses on "Purity in Speech." It outlines principles for speaking truthfully, kindly, and beneficially, while avoiding harsh, deceitful, or divisive language. It provides specific examples of what to say and what not to say in various situations, including when referring to people, objects, or natural phenomena.
Chapter 8 (Āyārapanihi): This chapter, "Restriction of Conduct," details specific rules and restrictions for monks and nuns in their daily lives, covering their interactions with the environment, their belongings, and their fellow beings. It emphasizes carefulness in every action to prevent harm to living beings and uphold vows.
Chapter 9 (Vinayasamādhi): Deals with "Devotion to Discipline," highlighting the paramount importance of respecting and obeying one's spiritual teacher (Guru). It describes the consequences of disrespect and emphasizes humility, obedience, and diligent study as key aspects of this devotion. It outlines four types of devotion: to discipline, to sacred texts, to fasting, and to good conduct.
Chapter 10 (Sa-bhiksha-anyavachanam): This chapter is characterized by the refrain "he is a true monk." It describes the qualities and practices of an ideal monk, emphasizing detachment, contentment, non-violence, self-control, and devotion to the teachings of the Jinas.
Chapter 11 (Raivakka-Chuliyā Prathamā): The "First Appendix," offering consolations for monks who might be experiencing difficulties and temptations to return to worldly life. It provides eighteen points of consideration to strengthen their resolve and commitment to monkhood.
Chapter 12 (Chuliyā): The "Second Appendix," which continues the theme of spiritual guidance. It uses the metaphor of swimming against the current to illustrate the effort required to overcome worldly attachments and achieve spiritual liberation. It emphasizes the importance of diligent conduct, detachment, and seeking guidance from the scriptures.

Significance: The Dasaveyāliya Sutta is considered valuable for introducing students to Jain law and language. Its concise and often abrupt style, combined with its practical advice and ethical teachings, makes it an excellent resource for understanding the foundational principles of Jain monasticism. The text serves as a comprehensive guide to right conduct, ethical principles, and the spiritual path towards liberation.