Guidelines To Mahavir Darshan

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Guidelines to Mahavir Darshan," based on the provided pages:

Overall Purpose and Origin:

"Guidelines to Mahavir Darshan" is a publication by the Shree Sat-Shrut Seva Sadhana Kendra, Koba, Gujarat, published in 1984. It aims to provide a concise and systematic introduction to the fundamental teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir for beginners. The book was compiled by Shri P. B. Mehta under the guidance of Dr. M. Soneji, inspired by the growing interest in Jainism, particularly among those attending spiritual shibirs (camps) organized by the Kendra, including those from the UK and Africa. The publication serves as preparatory background material for Dr. Soneji's planned talks abroad.

Key Themes and Structure:

The book is structured into five parts, covering various aspects of Jain philosophy and practice:

Part I: Introductory Lesson

• Namaskar Mahamantra: Explains the profound meaning of the Pancha Namaskara Mantra (Navkar Mantra), outlining the significance of prostrations to Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, and all Sadhus, emphasizing its power to destroy sins and its status as the foremost auspicious chant.
• Tradition and Introduction: Establishes Jainism as an original and distinct Indian philosophical system with its own metaphysics. It traces the ancient tradition of Tirthankaras, highlighting Rishabhdev, Aristhnemi, Parasnath, and Bhagwan Mahavir. It provides a biographical sketch of Bhagwan Mahavir, detailing his birth, ascetic life, austerities, attainment of omniscience, preaching, and Nirvana. It also touches upon the historical continuity of Jain tradition and its contribution to Indian civilization. The text frames the core questions of Jainism as understanding the relationship between Man and the universe and the best mode of living, emphasizing self-realization through self-regulation.

Part II: Metaphysics

This section delves into the core metaphysical principles of Jainism:

• Karma Siddhanta: Explains the concept of Karma as the link between the Soul (Jiva) and Non-Soul (Ajiva). It details the two categories of Karma: Ghatiya (destructive) Karmas that obscure the soul's innate qualities (knowledge, perception, power, happiness) and Aghatiya (non-destructive) Karmas that determine the body and environment. The four Ghatiya Karmas are Jnanavaraniya, Darshanavaraniya, Antaraya, and Mohaniya. The four Aghatiya Karmas are Ayus, Nama, Gotra, and Vedaniya.
• The Seven Principles (Tattvas): Presents the seven fundamental principles of Jainism: Jiva (Soul), Ajiva (Non-Soul), Asrava (Karma-influx), Bandha (Karma-bondage), Samvara (Karma-check), Nirjara (Karma-falling off), and Moksha (Karma liberation). It elaborates on Jiva, detailing its infinite potential qualities and its division into Sansari (bound) and Siddha (liberated) souls. It also briefly describes Ajiva, identifying Matter (Pudgala), Space (Akasa), Motion (Dharma), Stationariness (Adharma), and Time (Kala), with a focus on Matter's characteristics and states. The concepts of Asrava (inflow of karmas due to passions) and Bandha (actual binding of karmic matter) are explained, followed by Samvara (stopping the inflow through restraint) and Nirjara (shedding of karmic matter through austerity or other means). Moksha is defined as complete freedom from karmic matter.
• The Path of Salvation: Outlines the three essential components for achieving liberation: Right Conviction (Samyag-darshana), Right Knowledge (Samyak-jnana), and Right Conduct (Samyak-charitra). It explains Right Conviction as firm faith in the Tattvas, both from a practical (Vyavahara) and real (Nischaya) perspective. Right Knowledge involves the detailed examination of reality, free from doubt, delusion, and indecision. Right Conduct is living in accordance with the knowledge gained, emphasizing ethical actions and the observance of vows.
• Gunastanakas (Ladder of Development): Describes the fourteen stages of spiritual development (Gunastanakas) that a soul traverses on its path to liberation. While the text provides brief descriptions of the earlier stages (Mithyadrashti, Sasvadana, Misra, Samyagdrashti, Desavirati, Pramattasanyata, Apramattasanyata), it acknowledges that the higher stages are currently not attainable and only mentions their names. The core idea is the gradual purification of the soul by shedding karmic matter through conscious effort and adherence to Jain principles.

Part III: Philosophy

• Anekanta-Vada: This lesson highlights Anekanta-Vada (Multi-facetedness or Non-absolutism) as the distinctive feature of Jain philosophy. It explains that reality is complex and can be viewed from multiple perspectives. It introduces Nayas (viewpoints) and Syadvada (the doctrine of "perhaps") as methods for understanding this manifold nature of reality. The text emphasizes that understanding truth requires considering all viewpoints and fosters intellectual toleration, which is considered a part of Ahimsa.

Part IV: Ethics

This section focuses on the practical ethical guidelines for spiritual progress:

• Pratimas: Details the eleven stages of ethical progress for a householder (Shravaka), known as Pratimas. These stages represent a gradual commitment to Jain principles, starting with faith and progressing through vows, daily worship, fasting, abstinence from certain foods, celibacy, and eventual renunciation of worldly engagements, preparing one for ascetic life.
• Forgiveness (Kshama): Explains forgiveness as a crucial virtue that counteracts anger. It delves into the nature of anger, its causes (external factors, internal karma, forgetfulness of one's true nature), and methods for conquering it through knowledge and practice. It stresses the importance of recognizing anger as a perversion of the soul's true nature and cultivating a state of awareness and equanimity.
• Charity (Dana): Outlines four types of charity beneficial for spiritual progress: charity with devotion and humbleness, compassionate charity, charity of fearlessness, and charity of knowledge. It emphasizes the selfless nature of true charity and its role in spiritual advancement and societal welfare.
• Humility (Vinaya): Discusses humility as an inherent virtue of the soul that is often obscured by pride. It details eight types of pride (pride of knowledge, worship, family/race, power, attainment, austerity, body) and the importance of abandoning them to cultivate humility. Humility is presented as a key to peace, prosperity, and ultimately, self-realization and spiritual attainment.
• Association with the Wise (Satsamagama): Highlights the significance of associating with virtuous individuals and spiritual guides. It emphasizes the benefits of such association for self-improvement and spiritual progress, outlining practices like dedicated time for Satsang, adherence to basic discipline, and engaging in reflection and study.
• Self-Study (Svadhyayashilata): Presents self-study as an indispensable tool for spiritual development. It outlines a three-stage process involving obtaining leisure, acquiring scriptural knowledge, and continuous contemplation of that knowledge. The text stresses the importance of proper guidance and methodical study for self-realization.
• Dasa-Dharma: Enumerates the ten supreme virtues (Dasa-Dharma) as described by Acharya Umaswami in Tattvartha Sutra: Forgiveness, Humility, Straightforwardness, Truthfulness, Purity, Self-control, Austerity, Renunciation, Non-attachment, and Celibacy. These are presented as the essence of religion, regulating mind, speech, and action for spiritual evolution.

Part V: Socio-Cultural

• Jain Culture: Discusses Jainism's contribution to Indian culture, highlighting its emphasis on the sacredness of life, its ethical principles derived from religious experience (truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, non-possession), and its philosophical doctrine of Anekanta-Vada. It touches upon the rich Jain literature, art, and architecture, and its influence on various South Indian languages and cultural practices.
• What Jainism Offers to the World: Addresses contemporary global issues such as social inequalities, economic difficulties, diseases, over-population, and the threat of atomic bombs. It presents Jain principles like universal brotherhood, equitable distribution of wealth, charity (Aushadha-dana), celibacy (Brahmacharya), and the supreme importance of the soul and Ahimsa as solutions to these problems. It reiterates the profound relevance of Jain teachings for modern society and individual well-being.

In essence, "Guidelines to Mahavir Darshan" serves as an accessible entry point into the multifaceted teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir, covering his life, core metaphysical concepts, philosophical outlook, ethical framework, and cultural contributions, all aimed at guiding the reader towards spiritual understanding and liberation.