Doctrine Of Jainas

Here's a comprehensive summary of "The Doctrine of the Jainas" by Walther Schubring, translated by Wolfgang Beurlen, based on the provided text:

Overview:

"The Doctrine of the Jainas" is a scholarly work by Walther Schubring, a retired Professor at the University of Hamburg, translated into English by Wolfgang Beurlen. Published by Motilal Banarsidass, it aims to systematically describe the doctrines of Jainism based on ancient Jain sources, with a primary focus on the Svetambara Canon while also acknowledging Digambara writers. The book was conceived to address the regret of Indian scholars for the original German edition not being in English.

Key Themes and Structure:

The book is structured to provide a thorough understanding of Jainism, moving from its historical context and research to its core doctrines, cosmology, and practices. The summary covers the following major areas:

Part I: A Short History of Jain Research (Chapters I-II)

• Origins of Jain Research: The text traces the beginnings of Western scholarly interest in Jainism back to the early 19th century with publications in Asiatic Researches and the work of scholars like H.T. Colebrooke, F. Buchanan Hamilton, and H.H. Wilson. It highlights the gradual process of deciphering Prakrit texts and the contributions of key figures like Weber, Pischel, Jacobi, and Leumann.
• Key Developments in Research: The summary notes the establishment of philological approaches, critical editions of canonical texts, and the clarification of Jainism's historical position relative to Buddhism. It acknowledges the crucial role of Indian scholars and Jain communities in publishing and preserving their literature.
• Historical Position of Jainism: Schubring establishes that Jainism predates Buddhism and that Vardhamana Mahāvīra was a reformer, not the founder, of a tradition traceable to Pārśva. The book discusses the chronological debates and the estimated date of Mahāvīra's Nirvana (around 477 B.C.). It also touches upon the influence of Jainism on other Indian systems like Sāmkhya and Yoga, and vice-versa, particularly in relation to the concept of Karman and reincarnation.

Part II: An Historical Sketch of Jainism (Chapters II-III)

• Cyclical Time and Prophets: The Jain cosmology presents a cyclical view of time with descending (osappini) and ascending (ussappini) half-circles. Each half-circle features 24 Tirthankaras (prophets of salvation), along with temporal heroes like Cakkavarti (world emperors) and Baladeva/Vāsudeva figures, whose narratives often show influence from Hindu mythology, especially the Kṛṣṇa legends.
• The Tirthankaras: The book details the lineage of the 24 Tirthankaras in the current descending half-cycle, including their names, parents, symbols (e.g., bull for Ṛṣabha, lion for Mahāvīra), and lifespan. It notes the significance of Mahāvīra as the 24th Tirthankara.
• Mahāvīra's Life and Teachings: Schubring provides a biographical sketch of Mahāvīra, his birthplace, family background (Kāśyapa gotra, parents Siddhartha and Triśalā), civil name Vaddhamāna, and his ascetic life. It discusses his relationship with Gosāla Maskariputra, the founder of the Ājīvika sect, and the eventual separation. The text highlights Mahāvīra's development of key doctrines, his teachings on renunciation, and his emphasis on the careful observation of vows, especially non-violence (ahimsā).
• The Schism: The book touches upon the early schism within Jainism, leading to the separation of the Svetambara (white-clad) and Digambara (sky-clad) communities, attributing it to gradual differences rather than a violent split, possibly stemming from divergent views on ascetic practices like clothing.
• The Jain Canon: The structure and content of the Svetambara Canon (Āgama, Siddhānta) are extensively detailed, including the 12 Angas, Uvangas, Painnas, Cheyasuttas, Mulasuttas, and Angabahiras. It discusses the historical development of these texts, the role of councils, and the significant influence of commentaries.

Part III: Doctrine (Chapters IV-VII)

• Cosmology (Chapter IV): This section delves into the fundamental Jain concepts of the six Atthikāyas (fundamental realities/substances): motion (dharma), rest (adharma), space (ākāśa), souls (jīva), matter (poggala), and time (kāla). It explains their eternal nature, the distinction between world-space (lokākāśa) and non-world-space (alokākāśa), and the concept of atoms (paramāņu-poggala) as the basic units of matter. The text also elaborates on the concept of the soul (jīva) as the bearer of life and consciousness (uopayoga), its material qualities (color, taste, smell, touch), and the different types of bodies (sarīra) it acquires.
• Physiology and Life Principles (Chapter IV): The book details the Jain understanding of life processes, including methods of origination (manifestation, coagulation, generation), the functioning of senses (indriya), speech (bhāṣā), and the subtle inner sense (manas/sannā). It explains the classification of beings based on senses and the concept of the Karman body.
• Karman Theory (Chapters IV-V): A significant portion is dedicated to the intricate theory of Karman, explaining its binding (bandha), manifestation (udaya, udiranā), palpability (vedanā), annihilation (nirjarā), and the eight primary kinds of Karman (nānāvaraṇiya, darśanāvaraṇiya, mohanīya, vedanīya, āyu, nāma, gotra, and antarāya). It discusses the duration, intensity, and quantity of Karman, and how it influences the soul's rebirth and experiences.
• Reincarnation (Chapter V): The cyclical process of reincarnation (uvavāya) is explained, emphasizing how souls, bound by Karman, move through various states of existence across different realms (hells, animals, humans, gods) and across vast cycles of time (kalpa, sāgarovama, etc.). The concept of Nigoya (undeveloped plant souls) and Siddhas (liberated souls) is presented as the lowest and highest points of this cycle.
• The Cosmos (Chapter V): The cosmography describes a three-tiered universe: the lower world (adho-loka) with its seven hellish regions, the center world (madhya-loka) with continents and oceans, and the upper world (urdhva-loka) with various heavenly abodes (kappa, Geveyja, Anuttara) and the realm of the Siddhas (Isīpabbhārā). The text details the dimensions, shapes, and inhabitants of these realms, including various classes of gods and their respective spheres of influence.
• Renunciation (Chapter VI): This section focuses on the monastic path, outlining the rules and practices (kappa) for monks and nuns. It discusses the community structure (samgha), the initiation process (pavattā), the various ranks and duties of spiritual leaders (āyariya, uvajjhāya, gaṇī, etc.), and the strict regulations governing their daily lives. The concept of the "eleven monastic modes" (elagallapadimā) and the meticulous practices related to alms-gathering (pindavāya), food purity (phāsuya esanija), and the meticulous cleansing of utensils and surroundings (padilehanā) are highlighted. It also covers the importance of confession (āloyanā) and atonement (pāyacchitta) for offences and the different types of punishments and penances prescribed.
• Victory (Chapter VII): This chapter, though not fully summarized in the provided text, likely deals with the ultimate goal of Jainism: liberation (mokṣa) achieved through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct (the Three Jewels), leading to the annihilation of Karman and the attainment of omniscience (kevala-jñāna) and omniscience-consciousness (kevala-darsana).

Key Jain Concepts Explained:

• Atthikāya: The five fundamental substances that constitute reality.
• Jīva and Ajīva: Soul and non-soul (matter, space, time, motion, rest).
• Karman: The subtle matter that adheres to the soul, determining its transmigration and experiences.
• Lesseya: Conditional qualities of the soul, often represented by colors, influencing a being's moral state.
• Naya and Nikkhava: Methods of contemplation and understanding reality from different perspectives.
• Syādvāda: The doctrine of manifold perspectives, emphasizing the relative nature of truth.
• Pāva-suya: The body of Jain scriptures, divided into Angas, Uvangas, etc.
• Ahimsa (Non-violence): The foundational ethical principle, meticulously applied.
• Austerities (Tapas): Various forms of self-discipline and self-mortification practiced by monks and nuns.
• Vows (Vratas): The ethical commitments undertaken by ascetics and laypeople.
• Mokṣa: Liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Overall Significance:

"The Doctrine of the Jainas" is presented as a thorough and systematic exploration of Jain teachings, drawing directly from canonical and early commentaries. It reflects the meticulous research of Western Indologists and the enduring legacy of Jain intellectual tradition. The book aims to provide a comprehensive and authoritative account for both scholarly and personal educational use.