Dharm Ek Chintan

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "धर्म : एक चिन्तन" (Dharma: A Reflection) by Darbarilal Kothiya, focusing on the provided pages:

The text defines Dharma in Jainism as that which liberates beings from the sorrows of the world and leads them to supreme happiness. This concept is rooted in the etymology of the word "Dharma," as explained by Acharya Samantabhadra in his Ratnakaranḍakashravakāchāra. He states that Dharma is that which upholds beings, delivering them from worldly suffering to ultimate bliss.

The central question addressed is what causes worldly suffering and what are the means to attain supreme happiness. The text posits that the cause of suffering lies in the opposite of Dharma: Mithyā-shraddhā (false belief/faith), Mithyā-jnāna (false knowledge), and Mithyā-āchāra (false conduct). These lead to the cycle of birth and death, known as sansara. Conversely, true happiness is attained through the triad of Ratnatraya: Samyag-shraddhā (right faith/conviction), Samyag-jnāna (right knowledge), and Samyag-āchāra (right conduct).

The core purpose of Dharma, therefore, is the cessation of suffering and the attainment of happiness. The text emphasizes that every being, regardless of their state, desires to be free from sorrow and to live in perpetual happiness. This universal desire for happiness and aversion to suffering is a fundamental truth experienced by all. While there might be disagreement on the means to achieve these ends, the ultimate goal remains the same.

The Jain perspective on Dharma is presented as clear and well-defined. It states that Dharma is the inherent nature of a thing ("Vatthusahāvo dhammo"). The soul (Ātmā) is also a substance, and its inherent nature is the Ratnatraya (the three jewels of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct). When the soul remains in this inherent state, it experiences true happiness and liberation from suffering.

In the worldly state (sansara), the soul's true nature is obscured by qualities like falsehood, ignorance, anger, pride, envy, deceit, hypocrisy, intolerance, and other negative tendencies. These "vibhāvas" (unnatural states) prevent the soul from experiencing its true "svabhāva" (natural state), resulting in continued suffering and the inability to achieve genuine happiness.

Therefore, Jainism aims to guide every being from suffering towards supreme happiness, which is Moksha (liberation). This is why the Ratnatraya is considered Dharma, while its opposites, the Mithyā-traya (false faith, false knowledge, false conduct), are considered adharma (non-Dharma) and the cause of worldly transmigration.

The text highlights the vital importance of acquiring this inherent nature (Dharma) for a life of complete happiness, peace, and freedom from suffering. To achieve this, it is imperative to embrace all three aspects of Dharma: faith, knowledge, and conduct. A life lacking in any one of these aspects – for example, knowledge without faith, faith without conduct, or conduct without faith and knowledge – cannot sever the cycle of worldly existence and bring about complete happiness.

The current global state of distress and fear is attributed to impure minds, clouded hearts, ill intentions, and the egoistic desire to dominate others. The saying "Bhāvanā bhavanāshinī, bhāvanā bhavavardhinī" (Thought destroys existence, thought enhances existence) is quoted to emphasize that thoughts and intentions are crucial. If the world were to adopt Jain principles, it could achieve happiness and freedom from fear today. This would involve abandoning ego, anger, intolerance, the urge to harm others, and excessive accumulation. Instead, embracing the feeling and practice of "May my entire world be happy" would be beneficial.

By adopting the principle of Anekanta (non-absolutism) to resolve intellectual disagreements and practicing the virtues of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Aparigraha (non-possession) to mitigate conflicts arising from conduct, the world could move forward without suffering.

In conclusion, the text asserts that it is Dharma, understood as the integration of faith, knowledge, and conduct, that can bring happiness to individuals and liberate them from suffering. This makes the practice of Dharma essential, as elucidated in the preceding discussion.