Dharm Ne Lagta Karmkando Ane Tena Falatidesh - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Dharm ne Lagta Karmkando ane Tena Falatidesh" by Bechardas Doshi:

The book, "Dharm ne Lagta Karmkando ane Tena Falatidesh" (Religious Rituals and Their Consequences), by Bechardas Doshi, delves into the essence of Dharma and the effectiveness of religious rituals (Karmakando). It argues that true Dharma is not merely about outward actions but about an inner transformation that leads to the cessation of conflict and the establishment of mental equilibrium.

Defining Dharma: The text begins by defining "Dharma" not as mere rituals but as the profound insights and practices discovered by numerous seekers who, through personal experience, suffering, and meticulous analysis of the self (body, mind, desires, ego), realized the unity of consciousness in all beings. This realization and the resulting teachings are what constitute Dharma. Just as gravity maintains the balance of celestial bodies and the earth, Dharma acts as a powerful force within the human mind, preventing individuals from succumbing to conflicts arising from desires. It equips individuals with strong impressions, sentiments, and experiences that help them maintain mental balance and neutralize the impulses of strong desires.

Illustrative Examples: The book uses two compelling stories to illustrate its points:

Chelaiyo (The Servant Boy): Chelaiyo, a servant who was dismissed for his mischievous behavior, becomes a bandit leader. Driven by a lingering affection for Susuma, his former employer's daughter, he raids the house. While his gang escapes with the loot, Chelaiyo flees with Susuma. In a desperate attempt to evade pursuit, he tragically kills Susuma. Later, encountering a wise ascetic, Chelaiyo is advised with three words: "Upasham" (equanimity), "Vivek" (discretion/wisdom), and "Samvar" (restraint). Reflecting on these words, Chelaiyo undergoes a profound transformation, finding mental balance and strength to resist future temptations towards conflict. This story highlights how inner understanding and these principles can lead to a fundamental shift in behavior.
The Honest Merchant: The second example features a merchant who conducts his business ethically, adhering to principles of truthfulness and fairness. He lives by the motto "Live and Let Live" and cultivates these values within his family. When a business deal is made, and then the price of the required commodity unexpectedly increases fivefold, the supplier faces ruin. The honest merchant, understanding the supplier's plight and prioritizing "Upasham, Vivek, Samvar," cancels the deal to prevent the other merchant's destruction. This act of renunciation, driven by a deeper understanding and a desire to avoid causing harm, exemplifies Dharma. The author emphasizes that this act of canceling the deal, born from a noble sentiment, is what constitutes Dharma, compassion, and unity.

The Importance of Inner Practice (Antar Karmakando): The text argues that the effectiveness of any ritual depends on the inner state of the practitioner. The core of Dharma lies in internalizing virtues like non-violence, truthfulness, and restraint within the mind. Without this inner foundation, external rituals become mere show or a means of self-aggrandizement. The author stresses that the mind is the root of all actions, and its transformation is paramount. He quotes Buddhist teachings emphasizing the mind's centrality to all actions.

Critique of Ritualism without Inner Meaning (Baha Karmakando): The book strongly criticizes the prevalent practice of performing numerous outward rituals (Baha Karmakando) without genuine inner understanding or the cultivation of inner virtues. While acknowledging that rituals can serve as tools or steps on the path to Dharma, the author warns against mistaking the steps for the destination. He states that when rituals are performed without the underlying spirit of Dharma, they become "magic tricks" or mere pretense, leading to further conflict and corruption in the name of religion.

The Danger of "Fruit-Oriented" Rituals: A significant portion of the text is dedicated to critiquing the practice of emphasizing the tangible "fruits" or benefits (Falatidesh) derived from external rituals. The author points out that scriptures, both Vedic and Jain, are replete with promises of heavenly rewards, wealth, progeny, and even divine status for performing specific rituals like sacrifices, pilgrimages, idol worship, and fasting. While not outright denying the existence of these consequences, the author argues that this focus on material or external rewards leads to a superficial understanding of Dharma.

Consequences of Superficial Ritualism: The book highlights several negative consequences arising from this emphasis on outward results:

Loss of True Purpose: People become so focused on the promised rewards that they neglect the inner transformation that is the true goal of Dharma.
Superficiality: Rituals become mechanical actions, devoid of genuine devotion or ethical understanding.
Misinterpretation of Principles: Practices like using yak-tail whisks (chamars) in worship, meant to honor the divine, inadvertently encourage the killing of animals, a fact often overlooked by the devotees.
Social Harm: This superficial religiosity fails to address societal ills like conflict and exploitation, instead often reinforcing existing inequalities and burdens, particularly on the vulnerable.
Misuse of Scriptures: The promises of rewards are exploited by some for personal gain and to maintain their influence over gullible people.

The Call for Reform: The author calls for a shift in focus, urging that rituals should be understood as means to cultivate inner virtues like non-violence, forgiveness, contentment, and humility. He advocates for emphasizing the practical benefits of these virtues in one's present life, rather than solely focusing on future, often abstract, rewards. He suggests that scriptural explanations of virtue and sin should be rooted in the practical consequences and cause-and-effect principles observed in daily life.

Conclusion: In conclusion, "Dharm ne Lagta Karmkando ane Tena Falatidesh" advocates for a return to the core principles of Dharma, which emphasize inner transformation, mental equanimity, and compassion for all beings. It warns against the hollow pursuit of external rituals without genuine understanding and calls for a reform in the way religious practices are understood and taught, urging a focus on the cultivation of virtuous qualities that lead to peace and harmony in both individual lives and society as a whole. The author believes that by making these changes, we can truly honor our ancestors, serve humanity, and alleviate the suffering caused by superficial religious practices.