Jain Achar Samhita

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Achar Samhita" by Deshbhushan Aacharya, based on the provided PDF pages:

The book "Jain Achar Samhita" by Deshbhushan Aacharya serves as a guide to righteous conduct and ethical principles within Jainism, with a strong emphasis on the foundational "Ashta Mulgun" (Eight Root Virtues).

The Core Concept: The Importance of Roots (Mul)

The text begins by drawing an analogy between a tree and Dharma (righteousness). Just as a tree remains vibrant and strong because of its deep and firm roots, Dharma's stability depends on the adherence to its fundamental principles, known as the "Mulgun" or root virtues. Neglecting these root practices leads to the decay of one's religious life.

The Eight Root Virtues (Ashta Mulgun)

The book elaborates on the eight fundamental virtues that are essential for any individual, especially householders, seeking spiritual upliftment. These virtues are primarily defined as the renunciation of eight impure or harmful substances/practices:

1. Madyam Tyag (Renunciation of Alcohol): Alcohol is condemned for several reasons:

   • Himsa (Violence): Its production involves fermenting substances, which generates countless microscopic organisms (jivs). Consuming alcohol thus involves the violence against these beings.
   • Loss of Intellect and Discrimination: Alcohol causes intoxication, leading to a loss of thought, reason, and self-awareness. This can result in falling into dirty places, losing control, and even committing shameful acts.
   • Stimulation of Carnal Desires: Alcohol is often consumed to awaken lustful desires, leading to immoral behavior, including incestuous thoughts or actions when intoxicated.
   • Destruction of Wealth and Health: Alcoholism leads to financial ruin, loss of property, and severe deterioration of physical health.
   • Social and Ethical Degradation: It degrades social standing, family honor, and personal character, leading to public condemnation and suffering in this life and the next.

2. Mansam Tyag (Renunciation of Meat): Meat consumption is strictly forbidden due to:

   • Himsa: Meat comes from the killing of living beings (dosha-generating from Trasa Jivs, or beings with more than one sense). Even cooked or dried meat harbors countless Trasa Jivs.
   • Unnatural Diet: Human physiology, particularly the teeth, indicates that humans are naturally inclined towards a vegetarian diet (grains, fruits, milk).
   • Cruelty and Lack of Compassion: The consumption of meat necessitates the killing of innocent animals, fostering a cruel and hard-hearted nature, which is antithetical to spiritual practice.
   • Tamasic Quality: Meat is considered a tamasic (dark or impure) food that dulls the mind and spirit.

3. Madhu Tyag (Renunciation of Honey): Honey is forbidden because:

   • Himsa: Bees collect nectar from flowers and regurgitate it in their hives. This process, along with the collection and processing of honey, often involves the destruction of bees and their young, and the nectar itself can harbor microscopic organisms.
   • Unsanitary Production: Honey is often collected by people with less refined practices, involving the killing of bees and their offspring.

4. Panch Udumbar Phala Tyag (Renunciation of the Five Udumbar Fruits): These are specific fruits that grow without visible flowers and are known to harbor numerous living beings within them. They include:

   • Banyan (Bad)
   • Peepal (Pipal)
   • Gular (Goolar)
   • Umbar (Umar)
   • Kathumar (Kutoomar/Anjeer) The text states that hundreds of visible moving Jivs are found inside these fruits, and even in dried forms, Trasa Jivs die, whose bodies are considered meat-like. Consuming these fruits is therefore seen as an act of violence and pollutes one's spiritual state.

Variations in the Definition of Ashta Mulgun:

The text acknowledges that different Jain scriptures and scholars may define the "Ashta Mulgun" slightly differently. Some list the five Udumbar fruits and the three "M" substances (Madyam, Mansam, Madhu) as the eight. Others might include the renunciation of night meals, daily worship (Vandana), practicing compassion (Jivdaya), and filtering water (Jal Chhanan) as part of the eight virtues. However, the underlying principle remains consistent: renunciation of harmful substances, practices, and the promotion of compassion and purity.

Further Elaborations and Related Virtues:

The book delves into other crucial aspects of Jain conduct:

• Purity of Food (Shuddha Bhojan):

  • Avoiding Contaminated Foods: Emphasizes the need to avoid foods that might harbor microscopic organisms (e.g., from spoiled grains, unwashed produce, leather containers).
  • Grain Purification (Anna Shodhan): Grains and pulses need to be sifted and cleaned to remove insects (ghun) and impurities before grinding or cooking.
  • Water Purification (Jal Shodhan): Water must be filtered, and its potability is time-limited after filtering. Boiling water extends its purity.
  • Cooking Practices (Pak Vidhi): Recommends clean cooking spaces, good lighting, preparing food during daylight hours, and the use of pure ingredients.
  • Cook's Purity (Rasoiya): The cook should be healthy, pure in mind and body, and ideally a fellow Jain (dharmis) who understands the principles of purification. A benevolent and selfless attitude in cooking is also highlighted.
  • Food Limits (Khaddya Maryada): Specifies the permissible time limits for consuming various cooked foods to prevent spoilage and the generation of Jivs.
  • Timely Eating: Eating at regular intervals during daylight, and in moderate quantities, is crucial for health and digestion.

• Renunciation of Night Meals (Ratri Bhojan Tyag): This is strongly emphasized due to:

  • Himsa: Microscopic organisms that are invisible during the day become active and fall into food at night, leading to unintentional violence.
  • Health Issues: Eating at night impairs digestion and can lead to various ailments.
  • Spiritual Hindrance: It disrupts the natural rhythm of the body and mind, hindering spiritual practices.

• Control over Senses (Indriya Vijay):

  • Practice through Vows (Niyam): Encourages individuals to set time-bound limitations on their sensory indulgences (food, travel, sleep, adornment, etc.). This gradual practice helps in gaining control over desires.
  • Abandoning Vices: Urges the renunciation of harmful habits like gambling, intoxicants, and sensual pursuits.
  • Renunciation of Leather: Advises against the use of leather products, especially those derived from animals killed cruelly.

• Ahimsa (Non-violence):

  • Foundation of Jainism: Presents Ahimsa as the most significant contribution of Jainism to the world.
  • Interconnectedness: Emphasizes that no individual can live in isolation; societal harmony relies on mutual trust and well-being.
  • Inner Peace: True peace comes from self-satisfaction and not coveting others' possessions or happiness.
  • Renunciation of Possessions (Aparigraha): Links Ahimsa directly to non-possession, as excessive accumulation leads to conflict and violence.
  • Historical Context: Highlights Lord Mahavir's teachings on non-violence and his efforts to curb warfare and animal sacrifice in ancient India.
  • Active Compassion: Defines Jain Ahimsa not as passive inaction but as active love, welfare, and brotherhood, even to the extent of self-sacrifice for the sake of others.

• Satya (Truthfulness):

  • Motivations for Falsehood: Explains that greed, fear, and amusement can lead to untruthful speech.
  • Consequences of Untruth: Discusses how lying erodes trust, leads to further falsehoods, and brings negative consequences in this life and the next.
  • Types of Untruth: Categorizes false speech into six types, including misrepresenting presence or absence, making unverified statements, engaging in hurtful or gossiping speech, using sinful language, and uttering frightening or divisive words.
  • The Power of Truth: Illustrates with stories how adherence to truth, even in difficult situations, can lead to respect and positive outcomes.
  • Truth with Compassion: Advises speaking the truth gently and with consideration for the feelings of others, avoiding harshness that causes pain.
  • Prioritizing Life and Dharma: In situations where truth could lead to harm or the destruction of Dharma, it is permissible to use discretion or indirect speech to protect life or principles.

• Nishkam Seva (Selfless Service):

  • Nature's Example: Points to natural elements like air, water, trees, earth, fire, sun, and moon as exemplars of selfless service, providing life and benefits without expecting anything in return.
  • Maternal Love: Uses the example of a mother's selfless care for her child to illustrate unconditional service.
  • Spiritual Guides: Highlights the selfless service of Tirthankaras and their disciples in spreading Dharma and guiding humanity.
  • Uplifting the Soul: Emphasizes that selfless service purifies the soul, helps in spiritual progress, and fosters good qualities.

• Daan (Charity/Giving):

  • Addressing Hunger and Thirst: Discusses the fundamental needs of hunger and thirst, and the necessity of obtaining food through effort.
  • Economic Disparity: Links wealth accumulation and the resulting disparities to societal conflicts and vices.
  • Jain Principles: Explains the Jain approach to managing wealth through "Parigraha Pariman" (limiting possessions) and "Dan" (charity).
  • Types of Charity: Differentiates between giving to family (Anvay Dan), community (Sam Dan), religious practitioners (Patra Dan), and the needy (Daya Dan).
  • Charitable Actions: Encourages giving food, medicine, knowledge, and protection (Abhay Dan) to those in need, including animals.

• Kshama (Forgiveness):

  • Essential Virtue: Declares forgiveness as a vital tool for achieving goals and maintaining inner peace.
  • Strength, Not Weakness: Portrays forgiveness as a sign of strength and a characteristic of the virtuous.
  • Overcoming Anger: Contrasts forgiveness with anger, highlighting anger's destructive nature and its detrimental effects on physical and mental well-being.
  • Endurance and Equanimity: Compares the forgiving person to the earth, which endures all burdens without complaint.
  • Spiritual Progress: Explains that by enduring suffering with forgiveness, one purifies past karma and moves towards spiritual liberation.
  • Internalizing Forgiveness: Encourages viewing insults or harm as consequences of past actions and as opportunities for karmic purification.

In essence, "Jain Achar Samhita" provides a comprehensive manual for Jain living, rooted in the fundamental principles of non-violence, truthfulness, self-control, and selfless service, all aimed at achieving spiritual purity and liberation.