Gurusthapana Shatak

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Gurusthapana Shatak" by Vinaysagar, based on the provided pages:

The "Gurusthapana Shatak" (meaning "Century of Establishing the Guru") is a treatise on the significance and role of the Guru in Jainism. It emphasizes the importance of a true Guru for spiritual progress and outlines the qualities of both good and bad gurus.

Key Themes and Concepts:

• The Five Supreme Beings (Panch Paramesthi): The text begins by categorizing the Panch Paramesthi into two groups:
  • Devatattva (Divine Essence): Arhants and Siddhas.
  • Gurutattva (Guru Essence): Sadhus, Upadhyayas, and Acharyas.
• The Role of the Guru in Attaining Dharma: It is stated that true Dharma can only be attained through the grace of a Sadguru (good Guru). Dharma, as defined by the Kevalis (omniscient beings), consists of right faith, right knowledge, right conduct, and right austerity.
• The Author and the Work:
  • The author is identified as Shridhar.
  • The text is referred to as "Gurusthavanasayagam" in verses 1 and 103.
  • The language used is Maharashtri Prakrit, not other dialects of Prakrit.
  • The aesthetic quality, elegance of language, and clarity of the composition suggest a composition date between the 13th and 14th centuries.
  • The author, Shridhar, clearly possessed extensive experience and knowledge of the Gurutattva, demonstrating familiarity with scriptures like the Uttaradhyayana Sutra, Bhagavati Sutra, and Tattvartha Sutra.
  • The mention of Duppasahasuri suggests the author might also have been knowledgeable about the Tandalavai-vichara Prakirnaka.
  • Based on these factors, it is concluded that the author was a Śvetambara Jain.
  • The "Gurusthapana Shatak" is considered a rare and valuable text as it is not mentioned in important Jain bibliographies like the "Jaisalmer Hastalikhita Granthasuchi," "Jinaratnakosha," or "Jain Sahityano Sankshipt Itihas."
  • Verse 103 reveals Shridhar's name and his purpose in writing the text, stating it was composed based on the guidance of gurus.
• The Importance of Vinaya (Humility/Respect): Vinaya is highlighted as a primary principle of Dharma that the four-fold Jain community (monks, nuns, male laity, female laity) should emulate. True knowledge and spiritual progress are impossible without humility.
• The Continuity of the Sangha: The text traces the lineage of the Jain Sangha from Shri Pundarik Ganadhar to Duppasahasuri, emphasizing its stability through these figures.
• Challenges in the Present Age (Dusham Kala): In the current era of decline (Dusham Kala), there are fewer monks and more imposters. This makes it crucial for householders to rely on their gurus for understanding Dharma and Adharma.
• Distinguishing True Gurus from False Gurus (Suguru vs. Kuguru):
  • The text extensively differentiates between Sugurus (true gurus) and Kugurus (false gurus).
  • Sugurus are described as those who possess deep knowledge of the scriptures (Agamas), are impartial, and guide their disciples with proper understanding of behavior and ultimate reality. They are the ones who possess the 36 qualities of an Acharya.
  • Kugurus are characterized as those who are driven by passion and aversion, are undisciplined in their conduct, wear religious garb but are lax in their observances, and mislead followers. The text warns against accepting vows or encouraging others to do so under the guidance of such Kugurus.
  • Vows should only be taken in the presence of revered beings like Arhants, Siddhas, Sadhus, Devas, and one's own soul, not in the company of those who follow their own desires.
  • The text criticizes those who, in the absence of true gurus, follow imposters and are considered deeply deluded.
• The Nature of the Soul and Karma: The text touches upon the concept of karma and the difference in how it is experienced by the knowledgeable and the ignorant. A wise person can overcome karma quickly, while an ignorant person takes many lifetimes.
• The Role of Lay Disciples (Shrāvak):
  • The text emphasizes that the title of Shramanopāsaka (lay devotee) is earned through the grace of Sadgurus, by listening to their teachings, understanding their meaning, and performing righteous deeds.
  • Lay followers gain knowledge of the Dharma, the seven areas of Jain practice, and the complete code of conduct through the teachings of their gurus.
  • The text addresses the common misconception that there are no good monks today, urging people to remember the lineage of virtuous monks originating from Dharmaswami.
  • The twelve vows of a lay disciple are discussed, noting that the twelfth vow, Atithi Samvibhāga (hospitality/sharing with guests), can be challenging to observe, especially in the absence of true gurus.
• Scriptural Knowledge and Its Interpretation:
  • The text asserts that even a well-controlled monk may struggle to explain the meaning of scriptures if their knowledge is fragmented. A layperson with a shallow understanding is even less capable of comprehending the deeper truths.
  • Interpreting scriptures without proper understanding is considered a path of Mithyātva (false faith).
  • Those who claim to have complete knowledge of scriptures but lack proper understanding are considered to be practicing Anjanātapa (asceticism of ignorance) and will face negative consequences.
• The Importance of the Sangha and Gurus for Dharma:
  • Dharma can be sustained only with the support of virtuous monks. In the absence of such support, Dharma can become discontinuous, especially in this era.
  • The text states that true Dharma, in its comprehensive form, is attained only through the guidance of gurus.
  • The analogy of the sun providing light and rain being essential for life is used to illustrate the indispensable role of gurus in spiritual life.
• Criticism of False Devotion and Practices:
  • The text criticizes those who engage in mere ritualistic practices without genuine understanding or in the absence of true gurus.
  • It warns against those who are arrogant about their knowledge, perform penance without proper guidance, and are detached from their gurus.
  • The text condemns those who disrespect gurus and act independently, likening them to those who kill ascetics and face dire consequences.
  • It also points out those who, despite knowing the correct scriptural meanings, are influenced by passions like attachment and aversion and do not engage in proper conduct.
  • The text laments that in the absence of good gurus, even lay followers have become misguided.
• Causes of Misguided Faith (Mithyātva): The text identifies four causes for false faith: differences in intellect, incorrect understanding, attachment, and conviction. The absence of gurus also contributes to this.
• The Superiority of Behavioral Dharma (Vyavahar Dharma): While scriptural knowledge is important, the text emphasizes the strength of Vyavahar (practical conduct and worldly interaction) and criticizes those who are overly proud of their limited knowledge.
• Respect for Gurus: The text lists six qualities essential for showing respect to gurus: humility, proper conduct, reverence, worship, obedience to the Tirthankaras' commands, and devotion to Dharma.
• The Role of Gurus in the Jain Community:
  • The text criticizes those who are proud of their own qualities and disregard others.
  • It highlights the importance of discerning between good and bad gurus, a distinction that was made by earlier saints.
  • The text laments that the Jain tradition, which was previously sustained even during periods of partial decline, is now at risk due to the lack of virtuous guides.
  • The sustenance of the Jain tradition relies on the four pillars: monks, nuns, male laity, and female laity.
  • True understanding of Jainism comes from those who are not limited by their own limited knowledge and perceptions.
  • Even monks who exhibit certain faults should not be completely rejected if their conduct and rituals are pure.
  • The text warns that if followers do not accept the guidance of their gurus, they will be deprived of a good path in both this life and the next.
  • The text stresses that true disciples are those who learn from their gurus and that those who oppose their gurus face repeated cycles of birth and death.
  • It advises humility and learning from gurus, noting that disciples of disciples become true disciples, but those of the non-disciple do not.
  • Disregarding a guru's command, even while performing severe penance, is likened to the story of the Kulavalaka and leads to an unfortunate destiny.
  • Even those who know the correct scriptural meanings but disregard their guru's teachings will suffer.
  • In the absence of good gurus, the spiritual sustenance of even householders is jeopardized, leading them to adopt incorrect practices.
• Seven Deluded Individuals (Nihnavas): The text references the existence of seven types of deluded individuals within the Vīrasasana (teachings of Mahavir), and that four of them can be enlightened by virtuous laypeople with correct reasoning.
• Correction and Guidance: The author humbly requests learned individuals to correct any scripturally incorrect statements in the work.
• Conclusion: The text concludes by reaffirming that the essence of the Jinavachana (teachings of Jina) was absorbed through the guidance of gurus, and this "Gurusthapana Shatak" was composed by Shridhar.

In essence, the "Gurusthapana Shatak" is a profound discourse on the vital role of a qualified Guru in the Jain path to liberation. It serves as a guide for distinguishing true spiritual teachers from those who mislead, emphasizing the virtues of humility, adherence to scriptural teachings, and the importance of the Sangha for preserving and propagating the Dharma.