Dharm Me Pravesh

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Dharm me Pravesh" (Entry into Dharma) by Shri Chandraprabhsagar, based on the provided pages:

Overall Theme:

The book, "Dharm me Pravesh," aims to demystify religion and present it as a simple, accessible path to a successful and meaningful life for everyone, not just enlightened souls. It emphasizes that true dharma is about living by principles of love, peace, truth, and compassion, and that this path is attainable through self-awareness, ethical conduct, and inner purification.

Key Concepts and Chapters Summarized:

• Introduction (Page 6-7):

  • Religion was born out of human unrest, intended to bring peace. However, often it became complex or mere ritual.
  • This book is an attempt to find a simple path to dharma, making its profound principles understandable for the common person.
  • It's described as a "Geeta" that explains the nature of dharma, with each chapter serving as a milestone.
  • The messages are fundamental principles of life, dharma, and spirituality, keys to peace and liberation.

• 1. Dharma aur Manushya ka Usse Sambandh (Dharma and Man's Relationship with it) (Page 9-22):

  • Life as a Pilgrimage: Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, joys and sorrows. Living it with awareness and peace makes it a pilgrimage.
  • Human Potential: Humans are capable of immense potential; they are made of earth but can become a divine light. They can live as divine beings.
  • Man as Animal or God: Man is an animal when he falls from humanity, and a manifestation of the divine when he rises above it. Simplicity, kindness, and generosity lead towards divinity, while selfishness, envy, and anger make one animalistic.
  • Dharma as a Solution: Dharma is the most beautiful solution to life's problems. It means "to hold" or "to adopt." When we adopt dharma, it embraces us.
  • Living Dharma: True dharma is not just rituals, but living values like forgiveness, humility, simplicity, truth, renunciation, and non-violence (Anekant). It's about acting with purity in actions, behavior, speech, and thought.
  • The True Temple: Every human is a living temple, and the divinity within is eternal. True worship is loving God in the heart.
  • Practical Dharma: The younger generation believes in the practical aspect of dharma, not just outward show. Helping the needy, guiding the blind, and speaking truth are more important than just going to a temple.
  • Dharma Unites: Dharma should connect humanity. Traditions that divide people are "hathdharmita" (obstinate adherence).
  • Beyond Sects: Today, many systems are sects or denominations, each with its own rituals. We must focus on the core essence of dharma, which is universal human values.
  • Science of Living: Science helps us understand the world, while spirituality helps us understand life.
  • The Quest for Self: Suffering and adversity lead us to ask fundamental questions: "Who am I?", "Why does the world treat me this way?", "What is the source of my life?", "What is my purpose?". These questions spark spiritual inquiry.
  • Inner Peace: True peace is found within the soul. Letting go of negative tendencies (kashay, vikar) and embracing joy leads to inner peace.
  • Living the Teachings: We are not born to follow prescribed paths blindly. Dharma is acceptable if it leads to self-purity, peace, and liberation. If rituals don't remove anger, greed, or duality, they are mere hypocrisy.
  • Personal Growth: We are born with divine potential. We should strive to become like the exemplars (Mahavir, Ram, Krishna, Nanak) we admire.
  • Principles for Living: Simple rules like maintaining a simple nature, positive thinking, sweet speech, humble behavior, not causing pain, donating, speaking truth, avoiding intoxicants, fulfilling duties, controlling anger, respecting all religions, and seeking forgiveness are key to a peaceful life.

• 2. Swarg aur Narak ki Sahi Samajh (The True Understanding of Heaven and Hell) (Page 23-33):

  • Inner States, Not Places: Heaven and hell are not external locations but internal states of being. They are the results of our own actions and thoughts.
  • Heaven: Living on the "path of nectar" (truth, service, peace) leads to heaven.
  • Hell: Falling from the path of truth and welfare (indulging in selfishness, violence, hatred) leads to hell.
  • The Soul's Reflection: Heaven and hell are reflections of our own elevated or degraded souls.
  • The Analogy of the Soldier: A general who becomes angry at a slight insult experiences hell. His subsequent apology and humility bring him to heaven.
  • Self-Responsibility: We are our own friends and enemies. Self-belief is crucial.
  • Beyond the Body: Those who limit life to physical existence miss the spiritual dimensions.
  • The Serpent and the Man: Man, like a poisonous serpent, carries the poison of past tendencies. Envy, anger, and resentment are highly toxic emotions that harm oneself and others.
  • Controlling Emotions: Anger is detrimental, stealing happiness. We should aim to be "happy men" rather than "angry men." Contentment and a joyful heart are the greatest forms of yoga.
  • Desire (Kaam): While desire is natural and the basis of the world, excess leads to moral degradation. It's a pervasive illusion that is difficult to escape.
  • Self-Discipline: The ability to control oneself, like controlling an elephant with a goad, is crucial. Self-awareness and a strong resolve are key to overcoming weaknesses.
  • Personal Transformation: The desire to change oneself is the greatest power.
  • Principles for Heaven: Live happily, manage stress, fulfill duties, practice humility, generosity, and compassion. Helping others is the greatest form of worship.

• 3. Paramatma: Kahan Hai, Kaisa Hai? (God: Where is God, What is God?) (Page 34-46):

  • Ubiquitous Presence: God is the supreme existence, present within and outside of us, in nature, and in all beings. The belief that God is only in specific places (like temples) is a limitation of our narrow intellect.
  • Beyond Words and Forms: God is beyond names, forms, and rituals. He knows everything, yet we still present our desires.
  • Love as Prayer: The best approach to God is through love.
  • God's Nature: God is the source of existence, omnipresent, all-knowing, and all-pervading. He is beyond action (kartrutva-bhav), which is why He is called Paramatma.
  • Liberated Souls: Liberated souls become one with Paramatma. Paramatma is a state of complete liberation and purity, not an individual person.
  • The Source of Peace: We seek Paramatma for His peace, knowledge, and bliss.
  • Nature as God's Expression: Every aspect of nature reflects the divine.
  • Divine Spark Within: We all contain a part of the divine essence, but we are not Paramatma ourselves, though we can become so.
  • Karma and Responsibility: We are responsible for our actions, not Paramatma. Attributing good deeds to God is to avoid ego, but attributing bad deeds is to shirk responsibility.
  • The Cycle of Karma: Our actions create new karma, binding us to the cycle of birth and death. We must be mindful of our thoughts, words, and actions to avoid creating new karmic bonds.
  • The Inner Voice: Listening to the inner voice is listening to God. Ignoring it leads to repeated mistakes.
  • Accepting Grace: Accepting success as God's grace helps us avoid ego.
  • The Law of Karma: We cannot escape the consequences of our karma. Being a detached witness to our actions is key to liberation.
  • The Human Being as a Temple: The human body is a temple, and the soul is the living deity.
  • The Power of Intention: God is not a punisher but a source of love and compassion. Our actions are governed by our karma and destiny.
  • Transformation: Anyone, no matter how fallen, can change and become divine by focusing on inner purity and right action.
  • Principles for Divinity: Simplicity, happiness, affection, authenticity, and fearlessness lead towards divinity.

• 4. Poorvajanam : Punarjanm : Poornajanam (Past Birth : Rebirth : Complete Birth) (Page 47-56):

  • The Cycle of Rebirth: Life is a chain of births and rebirths, driven by desires, resolutions, and unresolved karmas.
  • Karma as the Cause: Our current state is a result of past actions. Our future depends on the seeds we sow today.
  • Equality in Essence: All beings are interconnected. Harming others is harming oneself.
  • Karma and Physical Attributes: Physical conditions like deformities are consequences of past deeds.
  • The Value of Human Life: Human birth is precious and offers the potential for great possibilities. However, acting like animals reduces this potential.
  • Remembering the Past: While we don't remember past lives, they influence our present. Some individuals may have fleeting glimpses, which can be circumstantial or genuine.
  • Understanding "Poornajanam": This refers to liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
  • The Role of Cause and Effect: Our present is a mix of past actions and present choices. Strong desires and actions create strong karmic bonds.
  • Detachment and Witnessing: Being a detached witness to our actions and their consequences helps us break free from karmic ties.
  • The Grace of Not Remembering: It's fortunate we don't remember past lives; it prevents mental distress and confusion.
  • Karma and Binding: We are bound by our desires and actions. Liberation comes from breaking these bonds.
  • Learning from Examples: Inspiration from figures like Mahavir and Buddha shows that liberation is possible regardless of worldly circumstances.
  • Key Points for Liberation: Be a witness to the mind, not its slave. Cultivate love for those who cause you pain. Maintain inner peace and joy. Be mindful of actions and their karmic consequences.

• 5. Prapt Karein Atma-Parichay (Gain Self-Knowledge) (Page 57-66):

  • Beyond Superficial Identity: Our true identity is beyond our name, family, profession, or physical form. It's the eternal essence that existed before birth and will exist after death.
  • Life as a Continuum: Life is a flow of experiences across lifetimes, not limited to a single existence.
  • "Sadhana" as Self-Exploration: The traditional term "sadhana" is essentially the pursuit of self-knowledge.
  • The Ease of Self-Discovery: Self-knowledge is not an impossible feat but a natural process accessible through inner exploration.
  • The Role of a Calm Mind: A peaceful mind is essential for self-awareness.
  • Life and Death: The difference between a living body and a dead body is the presence of consciousness (prana-chetana).
  • Self-Knowledge vs. Escapism: Self-knowledge doesn't mean renouncing the world but living in it with awareness.
  • The Nature of Love: Love becomes effortless and unconditional after self-realization.
  • Beyond External Labels: Names, family status, and societal roles are superficial. True identity lies beyond these.
  • The Power of Meditation: Meditation is the highway to understanding "Who am I?" and finding answers to life's deepest questions.
  • The Inner Conflict: The internal conflict between desires and duty, or between sin and virtue, is a recurring theme.
  • The Importance of Honesty: Being honest with oneself is the first step to freedom from ego, desires, and negative tendencies.
  • The Foundation of True Living: Understanding oneself is the prerequisite for practicing true compassion and non-violence.
  • Principles for Self-Discovery: Reflect on the difference between the living and the dead, understand the cycle of birth, aging, and death, and identify the unchanging essence within.

• 6. Pehchanein, Jeevan ka Antarang (Understand the Inner Being of Life) (Page 67-77):

  • The Human Being as a Composite: Man is not just a physical body but a combination of body and soul (Atma). The body is a temple, and the soul is the divine inhabitant.
  • Energy Centers: Life involves physical energy (below the navel) and conscious energy (in the brain and higher centers).
  • The Mind and Intellect: The mind is fickle, while the intellect is developmental and discerning. The intellect should guide the mind.
  • The Heart as the Seat of Divinity: The heart is the connection between the navel and the brain, the place where divine qualities blossom.
  • The Illusion of Self: We are often lost in the illusions of the material world, forgetting our true nature.
  • The Lion Cub Analogy: A lion cub raised by sheep forgets its true identity until it encounters other lions. Similarly, we forget our divine nature through worldly influences.
  • The Path to Enlightenment: Self-awareness and living with consciousness are the paths to enlightenment.
  • The Value of Inner Purity: True happiness comes from within, not from external sensory pleasures.
  • The Meaning of "Soham" and "Shivoham": These phrases signify realizing the divine within. "Shiv" represents welfare, purity, and perfection.
  • Key Points for Inner Understanding: Observe the mind, purify thoughts, honor the heart, use intellect wisely, and practice detachment from worldly influences.

• 7. Atma-Smriti aur Sthiti (Self-Remembrance and State) (Page 78-86):

  • Inner Beauty: True beauty lies not just in physical appearance but in the beauty of thoughts and feelings.
  • The Body as a Tool: The body is a means to an end, and while it needs care, inner purity is more important.
  • The Divine Within: The divine resides within us, but our negative tendencies can obscure it. We must focus on inner beauty and self-improvement.
  • Life as a Canvas: Life is a blank canvas on which we can paint joy or despair.
  • Self-Awareness and True Living: Forgetting oneself leads to entanglement in Maya. Self-awareness is crucial for liberation.
  • The Lion and Sheep Analogy Revisited: The story of the lion cub highlights how external influences can make us forget our true nature.
  • The Path of "Sambodhi": Living with awareness and consciousness is the path to enlightenment.
  • The Value of the Unseen: What is always present, like the soul, is often taken for granted until it's lost.
  • Beyond Sensory Pleasure: True happiness is transcendental, not derived from the senses.
  • The Importance of Discrimination: Differentiating between external values (like stone) and true values (like a diamond) is crucial.
  • Living with Integrity: Be honest with yourself and others, serve all, love all, and find the divine in everyone.
  • Self-Improvement: Focus on personal growth, transform negative traits, and cultivate self-confidence.
  • The Four Ashramas (Stages of Life): Each stage (Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, Sannyasa) has a purpose: learning, family life with service, detachment from family, and achieving liberation.
  • Living in the World, Yet Detached: Strive to live like a lotus in the water, unaffected by worldly attachments.
  • Balancing Action and Stillness: Engage in actions but also cultivate inner stillness and connect with the true source.
  • Key to Peace: Inner peace is achieved by calming the mind and observing its fluctuations without reaction.

• 8. Atma-Shuddhi ke Teen Charan (Three Stages of Self-Purification) (Page 87-96):

  • The Goal of Inner Transformation: The primary goal is to purify the mind, thoughts, and actions.
  • Sincerity in Living: True spirituality is not about outward appearances but about inner transformation. Every householder can be a "saint" through inner purity.
  • Living with Truth and Renunciation: Giving up bad habits and superstitions for a life of truth and integrity is true spirituality.
  • The Importance of "Gati" and "Sthiti": Up to age 50, focus on progress ("gati"); thereafter, focus on inner stability ("sthiti"). Ideally, balance both daily.
  • Achieving Inner Peace: Cultivate peace by controlling thoughts, avoiding worry, anger, and reaction.
  • The Three Pillars of Purification:
    1. Darshan-Shuddhi (Purity of Vision/Perception): Recognizing oneself as the soul, not the body; understanding that suffering comes from desires and past karma; maintaining a positive outlook; respecting all beings; and seeing the divine in all.
    2. Vichar-Shuddhi (Purity of Thought): Taking ownership of one's thoughts; letting go of selfishness, greed, envy, and anger; living with truth and knowledge; reflecting on actions daily; and seeking forgiveness for wrongdoings.
    3. Achar-Shuddhi (Purity of Conduct): Abstaining from intoxicants and harmful habits; avoiding wrong actions and encouraging others towards good; maintaining honesty in livelihood; creating a pure and harmonious home environment; helping others selflessly; and acting with humility and respect.

• 9. Manav-Mukti ki Pahal (Initiation into Human Liberation) (Page 97-104):

  • The Role of Meditation: Meditation is the path to understanding our inner world, achieving mental peace, and spiritual growth.
  • Inner Exploration: Meditation allows us to look inward and discover our true selves, transcending physical and sensory experiences.
  • Mindful Living: It's not just about formal meditation but about living each moment with awareness and presence.
  • Integration with Society: Spiritual practice should not lead to isolation but to a deeper engagement with society for service and love.
  • The Power of Inner Stillness: Reaching a state of inner silence and stillness leads to true peace and joy.
  • Disciplining the Mind: The mind needs to be controlled and directed by the intellect.
  • The Path to Liberation: Self-purification (Darshan, Vichar, Achar) is essential for liberation.
  • The Practices: Silent reflection (maun), daily meditation, observing thoughts without reaction, and breathing exercises are recommended practices.
  • The Essence of Meditation: It's about reaching a state of inner quiet where one connects with the eternal truth.
  • The Ultimate Goal: To merge with the divine light and achieve liberation.

Conclusion:

"Dharm me Pravesh" offers a practical and spiritual guide to navigating life. It encourages readers to look beyond rituals and sects, to embrace universal ethical principles, and to discover their own inner divinity. By practicing self-awareness, purity of thought and action, and mindful living, one can achieve peace, happiness, and ultimately, liberation. The book emphasizes that dharma is a personal journey of transformation, accessible to all.