Jain Agamo Me Samayik

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about Samayik:

The book "Jain Agamo me Samayik" by Acharya Hastimal discusses the profound significance and various facets of Samayik within Jainism.

Significance of Samayik:

• Samayik holds a paramount position in Jainism, serving as a crucial aspect of Pratikraman (repentance and atonement).
• Even Tirthankaras (spiritual conquerors) accept Samayik charitra (conduct) as the first step upon entering their path of spiritual discipline.
• Just as the sky is the foundation for all movable and immovable objects, Samayik is the foundation for qualities like charana (conduct) and karana (action).
• Without equanimity (samattva), virtues like sanyam (restraint) and tapa (penance) cannot be sustained.
• Samayik facilitates the natural abandonment of vices like violence. Therefore, it is considered the primary ladder for attaining one's true self (atmaswaroop).
• The Bhagvati Sutra explicitly states, "Prana is indeed Samayik, and the attainment of one's true self is the purpose of Samayik."

Meaning of the Word Samayik:

The word "Samayik" is derived from "Sam" and "Pay." Its Sanskrit forms include "Samaya," "Shama," "Samay," and even "Sam Aa." The term can also be formed from the etymology "Samaye Bhavam" or "Samaye Ayanam Samayah." Several interpretations of Samayik are presented:

1. Gain of Equanimity: "Sam" signifies a state of mind free from attachment and aversion (raag-dvesh), and "Ay" means gain. Thus, Samayik is an action that leads to the gain derived from an equanimous state.
2. Pacification of Passions: Derived from "Sham" (pacification), Samayik refers to the cessation of passions like anger (kashayas).
3. Moving Towards Equanimity: "Same Ayanam Samayah" implies the act of reaching or moving towards a state of equanimity.
4. Friendship: "Same Ayanam Samasyo Va Prayah-Samayah" suggests moving towards or fostering a state of friendship.
5. Right Knowledge and Conduct: Considering "Sam" as "Samyak" (right), Samayik is the means to attain the jewel of right knowledge, perception, and conduct (Ratnatraya).
6. According to Time/Self: Derived from "Samaye Bhavam" or "Samaye Ayan," where "Samay" refers to righteous conduct or one's true self. Moving in accordance with one's true nature is Samayik.

Samayik is also known as "Savadhya Yoga Virati" – the cessation of sinful actions. In a state of freedom from attachment and aversion, the practitioner renounces violence, falsehood, theft, misconduct, and possessions, pledging to refrain from savadhya yoga (sinful activities).

Types of Samayik:

Samayik can be classified in various ways:

• Two Types: From the practitioner's perspective, Samayik is divided into two types.
• Three Types: The Sthananga Sutra mentions Aagar Samayik (for householders) and Anaagar Samayik (for ascetics).
• Three Types (Advanced): Acharyas further classify it into:
  • Samyaktva Samayik: Being aware of the true nature of things, the practitioner does not get entangled in attachment or aversion. The example of King Bharat educating his dissenters by giving them a bowl of oil without letting them develop attachment or aversion illustrates this.
  • Shrut Samayik: Understanding the difference between the conscious and unconscious. This relates to the study of scriptures.
  • Charitra Samayik: This has further divisions.

Further Classifications of Samayik:

• By Origin: Nisarg (natural inclination) and Upadesh (instruction).
• By Stages of Faith: Upasham, Sasadan, Vedak, Kshayopasham, and Kshayik (five types).
• By Types of Faith: Ten types based on nisarg and other inclinations.
• By Mode of Effect: Kshayik, Aupashamik, Kshayopashamik (three types).
• By Role:
  • Karak: Practicing with faith and right conduct.
  • Rochak: Possessing only faith without action.
  • Deepak: Inspiring faith in others, even without personal faith, like Marichi.

Charitra Samayik (Conduct-Based Samayik):

• Aagar Samayik (Householder's Samayik): A householder undertakes a partial renunciation of sinful activities for a specific duration (e.g., one muhurta). This involves renouncing violence and other sins for a set period, under specific conditions and with specific means of action.
• Anaagar Samayik (Ascetic's Samayik): An ascetic completely renounces all sinful activities for their entire life, following the five types of conduct.

A householder who practices Aagar Samayik for a shorter period still yearns for an ascetic's life, aspiring to renounce possessions, sensual pleasures, and passions to follow the monastic path.

Practical Aspect of Samayik:

• While the ultimate goal of Samayik is to maintain equanimity towards friends and foes, its practical aspect involves renouncing sinful activities and engaging in penance, vows, and restraint.
• The practitioner endeavors to conquer attachment and aversion through yam-niyam (ethical observances).
• The practical aspect should lead towards the ultimate goal. The text emphasizes that one who integrates their soul with sanyam (restraint), niyam (vows), and tapa (penance) achieves complete Samayik.
• Even while performing charitable acts, service, or worship, a householder must achieve self-restraint through Samayik to avoid sinful activities.
• Samayik is a pure and praiseworthy act to stay away from sinful actions. It purifies the soul. It is considered superior to household duties, and wise individuals should practice it for their own well-being and for the welfare of others.
• Even if a householder cannot perform Samayik with full renunciation (three karana, three yoga), they should at least practice Aagar Samayik (two karana, three yoga) for their own benefit, as it yields significant results.
• Practicing Samayik makes a householder akin to an ascetic, thus it should be practiced regularly.
• Samayik provides a momentary respite from worldly activities, sensual pleasures, and mental afflictions, allowing the soul to experience peace and become neutral.
• The text urges those who wait for their mind to be calm and free from attachment and aversion before practicing Samayik to deeply consider the scriptures. The Acharyas encourage regular practice to prevent individuals from forgetting their inherent virtues due to negligence.

Samayik as a Vow:

• For a householder who is free from sinful activities and negative states of mind (aart and raudra dhyana), even a moment of equanimity is considered the vow of Samayik.
• Samayik is not mere idleness; it involves renouncing flawed actions and engaging in pure activities like studying scriptures, self-reflection, and meditation. It is essential to engage in pure activities to avoid flawed ones.

Nirukta (Etymological) Meaning of Samayik:

The text further elaborates on the etymological meanings of Samayik:

• Reaching the state of being free from attachment and aversion.
• The attainment of right knowledge and conduct, or the means to achieve them.
• The gain derived from a state of friendship.
• The gain derived from samyag (right) thoughts.

Samayik from Various Perspectives (Nayas):

Jain scriptures analyze concepts from different nay (viewpoints) to provide a comprehensive understanding:

• Nischay Drishti (Ultimate Perspective): True Samayik is achieved by maintaining equanimity towards all living beings, both movable and immovable. This state of absolute stillness in one's soul is considered the ultimate Samayik.
• Nay Drishti (Doctrinal Perspectives):
  • Sangrah Naya: The soul itself is Samayik; there is no separate quality called Samayik.
  • Vyavahar Naya: It's incorrect to say the soul is Samayik, as all souls would then be Samayik. Rather, the soul that is careful (yatanavan) is Samayik.
  • Rijusutra Naya: Not all careful souls are Samayik. Even those with wrong faith can be careful. Only the soul that exercises care with proper understanding (upayog) is Samayik.
  • Shabd Naya: Even one with correct faith and partial restraint can be careful, but not necessarily Samayik. One who has proper restraint towards the six types of beings is Samayik.
  • Samabhirudh Naya: This is also not entirely correct. Even very careful ascetics might not be Samayik. Only the soul that is restrained by the three guards (trigupti gupt) and is actively engaged is Samayik.
  • Evabhut Naya (Ultimate True Perspective): This viewpoint considers only the soul free from sinful activities, guarded by the three guards, restrained, and possessing right intention (upayog) as Samayik. In this view, only the soul that has attained the state of Shaileshi (where soul-substance is completely stable) is Samayik.

The Doer of Samayik:

The text also discusses who is considered the "doer" of Samayik from different nayas:

• Nayagam Naya: The disciple becomes the doer from the moment the Guru permits Samayik.
• Sangrah and Vyavahar Naya: The disciple is considered the doer only when they sit at the Guru's feet for Samayik.
• Rijusutra Naya: The disciple is the doer when they are physically present at the Guru's feet and are reciting or performing the Samayik ritual.
• Shabdadi Naya: The doer is the one who possesses right intention (upayog) during Samayik, even if external actions are minimal, as pleasing thoughts (manojna parinam) constitute Samayik.

Conclusion:

The book emphasizes that by understanding Samayik from these various perspectives, the practitioner should strive to refrain from sinful activities. The soul possessing virtues like restraint is Samayik from the perspective of substance. From the perspective of qualities, the state of equanimity is Samayik. The ultimate aim is to practice a way of life that combines both the practical (meditation, penance, simple living) and the ultimate (reduction of attachment and aversion). Consistent practice is key to achieving this, transforming the individual and bringing peace and purity to life.

The text concludes with verses that highlight the essence of Samayik as the transcendence of dualities, the cessation of taking and giving, the absence of enmity, the gain of equanimity, and the abandonment of sensual pleasures and karmic impurities.