Dharmbij

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Dharmbij" by Anahat, focusing on the key themes and content presented in the provided pages:

Overall Purpose and Theme:

"Dharmbij" (meaning "Seed of Dharma" or "Root of Religion") is a Jain text that aims to guide spiritual seekers (mumukshu) towards a life of inner peace, purity, and spiritual growth. The core message revolves around cultivating four specific positive mental states or attitudes, referred to as "Dharmbij" or "four seeds of Dharma": Maitri (Friendliness/Universal Love), Pramod (Joy/Gladness), Karuna (Compassion), and Madhyastha (Equanimity/Indifference). The book emphasizes that these bhavanas (mental states) are not merely theoretical concepts but practical tools for transforming one's inner world and, consequently, one's external life.

Key Concepts and Structure:

The book is structured around a detailed exploration of these four essential bhavanas, preceded by introductory and concluding remarks, and a tribute to a departed soul.

1. Introduction and Dedication:

• The book is dedicated to the memory of late Ranjanbala Ramanlal Zaveri, a young woman who passed away at the age of 21. This dedication highlights the theme of life's impermanence and the importance of spiritual cultivation.
• The author, Anahat, explains that the book originated from personal reflections and was initially written for his father's spiritual well-being. The publication was inspired by others who found value in these writings.
• The author acknowledges the limited command of the Gujarati language and encourages readers to focus on the spiritual thoughts rather than linguistic perfection.
• "Upoḍghāt" (Introduction) by Pt. Shri Bhadrakarvijayji Ganivarya: This section provides a foundational understanding of the four bhavanas, particularly Maitri. It emphasizes that true happiness lies in the absence of desires and that these bhavanas offer a path to overcome worldly suffering caused by egoistic desires. It also highlights the interconnectedness of the four bhavanas, where the cultivation of one leads to the emergence of others.
• "Pavithratāno Sandesh" (Message of Purity) also by Pt. Shri Bhadrakarvijayji Ganivarya: This section delves deeper into each of the four bhavanas, explaining their meaning, application, and the virtues they foster.

2. The Four Seeds of Dharma (Bhavanas):

• Maitri (Friendliness/Universal Love):

  • Definition: Wishing well-being for all living beings, treating everyone with a sense of kinship and friendship. It's about extending love beyond oneself to all creatures.
  • Core Principle: "Parhitchintā Maitri" (Thinking about the welfare of others is Maitri).
  • Benefits: Eradicates jealousy, hatred, selfishness, and promotes gratitude, generosity, and altruism. It helps overcome personal attachments and fosters a broader sense of interconnectedness. It's presented as an antidote to negative emotions arising from personal desires and a source of immense peace.
  • Practice: Involves gradual stages, starting from appreciating benefactors, then family, acquaintances, and finally extending to all living beings. It's about seeing all beings as friends and not harboring any animosity.
  • Jain Perspective: Maitri in Jainism is broader than in other traditions, encompassing even single-sensed beings (ekendriya). It is seen as a foundation for ahimsa (non-violence).

• Pramod (Joy/Gladness):

  • Definition: Finding joy in the virtues and good fortune of others, rather than feeling envy or resentment. It's about appreciating the goodness in others and celebrating their successes.
  • Core Principle: "Parasukhtushti Pramod" (Finding satisfaction in the happiness of others).
  • Benefits: Counteracts jealousy and malice. It leads to inner purity, attraction towards good deeds, and ultimately, spiritual attainment. It's seen as the "seed of liberation" (mokshbij) because it fosters admiration for the path to liberation and those who tread it.
  • Practice: Involves actively looking for the good in others, appreciating their qualities, and celebrating their achievements. It's also about finding joy in spiritual objects and teachings. The highest form of Pramod is admiring the virtues of liberated souls (Arihants and Siddhas).

• Karuna (Compassion):

  • Definition: Feeling the suffering of others and having a desire to alleviate it. It stems from recognizing that suffering is universal and a consequence of past actions (karma).
  • Core Principle: "Paradukh-vināshinī Karunā" (Compassion that destroys the suffering of others).
  • Benefits: Helps overcome personal suffering by focusing on others. It purifies the mind, generates merit, and leads to spiritual progress. It counters pride and self-centeredness.
  • Practice: Involves understanding the nature of suffering in all life forms and actively engaging in acts of kindness and support. It emphasizes that true compassion lies not just in wishing well, but in taking action, even if it doesn't always yield immediate results.
  • Jain Perspective: Karuna is closely linked to ahimsa and is considered a vital aspect of spiritual practice, leading to the attainment of Tirthankar-hood.

• Madhyastha (Equanimity/Indifference):

  • Definition: Maintaining a balanced and impartial attitude towards all situations, beings, and experiences, free from attachment (rag) and aversion (dvesh). It's about seeing things as they are, without emotional bias.
  • Core Principle: "Paroparamupeksha" (Indifference towards others' faults or towards worldly pleasures).
  • Benefits: Protects the mind from anger, hatred, and disturbance caused by external events or the faults of others. It promotes inner peace and stability, allowing for clearer spiritual insight. It helps detach from fleeting worldly pleasures and avoid attachment to them.
  • Practice: This is the most advanced bhavana, involving understanding the true nature of reality, the role of karma, and the impermanence of all worldly phenomena. It requires detachment from both favorable and unfavorable circumstances, recognizing that true happiness comes from within. It extends to being impartial even towards those who err or are indifferent to spiritual teachings.
  • Jain Perspective: Madhyastha is crucial for understanding Anekantavada (the doctrine of manifold aspects) and is considered the highest form of equanimity, leading to the dissolution of karmic bonds. The liberated souls (Siddhas) embody this ultimate Madhyastha.

3. Supporting Sections:

• Internal Glimmers (Āntarik Gujarav): This section presents short poetic verses summarizing the essence of each of the four bhavanas from an individual's perspective.
• Table of Contents: Outlines the chapters and their themes.
• Mangalacharan (Invocation): A prayer at the beginning, dedicating the work to the Vitraag (the Tirthankaras) and praising the four bhavanas.
• Pavitrata, Aanand ane Pujyata na Sadhana (Means of Purity, Bliss, and Reverence): This section connects the four bhavanas to the qualities of purity, bliss, and reverence as exemplified by the Vitraag Lords, as described in a verse from the "Shri Vitraag Stotra."
• Concluding Remarks (Antim Vaktavya): This section reiterates the importance of these bhavanas as the "seed of Dharma" and the essence of Jain teachings. It emphasizes that without cultivating these, other spiritual practices may be ineffective. It also provides a practical guide for daily practice and reflection.
• Abhyas (Practice): This chapter offers a structured method for cultivating the bhavanas, including daily contemplation, journaling, and reflection, encouraging a sustained effort over time.

Key Takeaways:

• Holistic Spiritual Path: The book presents a balanced and holistic approach to spiritual development, emphasizing the cultivation of positive emotional states as fundamental to religious practice.
• Interconnectedness of Bhavanas: The four bhavanas are presented as interconnected and mutually reinforcing. The cultivation of Maitri paves the way for Pramod, Karuna, and eventually Madhyastha.
• Practical Application: The text encourages readers to integrate these bhavanas into their daily lives, not just as intellectual concepts but as lived experiences.
• Jain Philosophy: The book is deeply rooted in Jain philosophy, particularly in the concepts of karma, Anekantavada, and the path to liberation.
• Inner Transformation: The ultimate goal is inner transformation, leading to freedom from suffering, attainment of spiritual purity, and ultimately, liberation.

In essence, "Dharmbij" serves as a practical guide for individuals seeking to purify their minds, cultivate positive relationships with all beings, and progress on the spiritual path by developing the foundational attitudes of universal love, shared joy, compassion, and equanimity.