Dharm Parvake Gyan Parva

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Dharm Parvake Gyan Parva" by Sukhlal Sanghavi:

This text discusses the Jain festival of Paryushan, traditionally known as a religious festival (Dharm Parva). It highlights the extensive preparations undertaken by the Jain community in anticipation of this period, including inviting ascetics for monsoon retreats and individuals undertaking vows and fasts. The author notes that while both indulgence (in terms of food preparation for breaking fasts) and renunciation are evident during this time, the core essence of the festival is Dharma (religion) and Gyana (knowledge).

The practice during this festival involves reading and listening to the life of Lord Mahavir, with the Kalpa Sutra being a prominent text. However, the author points out that the Kalpa Sutra, along with its commentary, can be very long and repetitive, leading to boredom and a lack of engagement for many listeners. Furthermore, the younger generation, influenced by modern sensibilities, criticizes the text for focusing too much on descriptions and embellishments, while offering little on the core biographical details of Lord Mahavir. The prescribed reading portions often necessitate a hurried pace, leaving listeners with insufficient time for reflection and contemplation. The author observes that this has resulted in a society that is more responsible in its adherence to practices but lacks critical thinking and has instead developed intellectual rigidity.

The author shares an anecdote where a scholar friend found little interest in the traditional religious texts but discovered much knowledge by reading a philosophical book during the same period. While devotees who regularly listen to the Kalpa Sutra can recount specific events from Lord Mahavir's life, they become defensive when asked for deeper insights, often dismissing questions as unnecessary or suggesting the questioner provide their own interpretation. The author argues that understanding the profound life of Lord Mahavir as an exceptional ascetic and scholar requires a religious as well as a contemplative mindset.

Based on 30 years of experience with the prevailing practices of Paryushan, the author suggests that to satisfy the younger generation and future generations, and to present a more awakened face to the world, there needs to be an emphasis on intellectual growth and open-minded consideration of religious and social issues from various perspectives.

This idea for reform was conceived years ago and was once presented during a discourse. Although it couldn't be implemented at that time due to certain reasons, it was realized two years prior and found favor with many friends. The proposed concept includes:

1. Integrating Practices with Discourse: Arranging for participants who engage in traditional rituals like Pratikraman and Pujana to also benefit from discourses.
2. Varied Discourse Topics: Dedicating at least one discourse to the life of Lord Mahavir and subsequent discourses to various subjects of practical and philosophical relevance.
3. Open Invitation to Thinkers: Inviting public thinkers and speakers to share their views freely.
4. Written Discourses and Q&A: Presenting discourses in written form where possible, and concluding with question-and-answer sessions, allowing for calm and thoughtful discussion from all parties.

Following this concept, arrangements were made this year to celebrate Paryushan as a festival of knowledge alongside religion. Discourses were held daily at 9 AM, with a second session in the afternoon or evening based on the speaker's availability. Although not widely advertised and held in a private location, a good number of eager listeners attended, including scholars and those who learned about it. The topics were kept broad, and speakers were knowledgeable. The approach was very liberal, encouraging individuals to express their thoughts freely. This is considered a preliminary step.

The author mentions that the collected thoughts and discussions from various thinkers are being compiled. Many of these discourses were either read from written notes or provided later by the speakers themselves. Some were transcribed at the time and are being presented after careful review. To make this collection accessible, the editor of "Sughosha" plans to release a special issue.

The potential outcomes of this initiative are:

• Guidance for the less engaged: Providing a path for those who are less inclined towards traditional practices but still wish to observe the religious festival.
• Cultivating thoughtfulness: Encouraging the development of critical thinking by exposing readers to the ideas of various thinkers and fostering an appreciation for viewing subjects from multiple angles. It also aims to bring Jains and non-Jains together for intellectual exchange, promoting open-mindedness.
• Wider reach of knowledge: Enabling a single discourse delivered at one location to benefit audiences in multiple places through written transcripts, thereby spreading thought and enthusiasm.