Jain Bal Shiksha Part 3 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Bal Shiksha Part 3" by Upadhyay Amarmuni, based on the provided content:

Overview:

"Jain Bal Shiksha Part 3" (Jain Child Education Part 3) is a book designed to impart fundamental Jain principles and values to young children. It covers a range of topics, from basic ethical conduct and Jain philosophy to historical figures and devotional practices, presented in an engaging and accessible manner through prose, poetry, and exercises. The book aims to cultivate good character, understanding of Jainism, and respect for elders and all living beings.

Key Topics and Chapters:

Vinay (Politeness/Humility): This section emphasizes speaking truth, acting virtuously, respecting one's country and community, and fostering unity and love among people. It encourages overcoming disagreements and promoting the well-being of all.
Jeev aur Ajeev (Living and Non-living Beings): Through a dialogue between a teacher and a student named Jitendra, the concept of Jeev (soul or living being) and Ajeev (non-living matter) is explained. A living being is characterized by having life, the capacity to know and experience, and the ability to feel pleasure and pain. Non-living things lack these qualities. Examples like humans, animals (Jeev) and inkpots, pens, tables (Ajeev) are provided.
Prabhat-Gayan (Morning Song): A motivational poem encouraging readers to wake up early, focus their minds on the divine, and not waste time. It stresses the importance of acting in the present moment rather than procrastinating.
Mahasati Sita (Great Virtuous Sita): This chapter narrates the story of Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. It highlights her beauty, grace, unwavering devotion to her husband, and her steadfastness in her principles, even when abducted by Ravana. Her story emphasizes virtue, righteousness, and strength of character, mentioning her inclusion among the sixteen great virtuous women in Jainism.
Bharatvarsh (India): The text describes India as the homeland, emphasizing its republican nature where every adult citizen has voting rights and responsibilities for national progress. It highlights the deep connection to the land and the importance of treating all citizens as brothers and sisters, promoting love and avoiding actions that cause harm. The origin of the name "Bharatvarsh" from Emperor Bharat, son of Rishabhdev Bhagwan, is also mentioned.
Kuch To Seekho (Learn Something): This chapter uses nature as a teacher, encouraging children to learn from the moon's smile, flowers' bloom, bees' songs, and bending branches of trees. It promotes unity, harmony, and peaceful coexistence, comparing them to milk and water mixing and trees embracing.
Paanch Indriya (The Five Senses): This section provides a detailed explanation of the five senses (Indriyas) in Jain philosophy:
- Sparshan Indriya (Touch): Experiencing qualities like hot, cold, heavy, light, rough, smooth, soft, hard through the skin.
- Rasan Indriya (Taste): Discriminating tastes like sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, astringent using the tongue.
- Ghran Indriya (Smell): Detecting fragrances and foul odors through the nose.
- Chakshush Indriya (Sight): Perceiving forms, colors, and shapes with the eyes.
- Shrotra Indriya (Hearing): Identifying sounds and voices with the ears. It explains that even if an individual is blind or deaf, they are still considered to have these senses, but their function is impaired.
Badon Ka Aadar (Respect for Elders): This chapter lays down clear guidelines for showing respect to elders. It includes greeting them with folded hands, offering seats, speaking politely, listening attentively, not making noise in their presence, and accompanying them when they leave. It strongly discourages disrespect, mocking, or speaking ill of elders.
Daya (Compassion/Kindness): This poetic chapter emphasizes that true humanity lies in compassion and kindness, even more than intelligence or wealth. It defines a truly human being as one who possesses compassion and strives to help others. It equates compassion with the very essence of Jainism, calling it "Daya Dharma" (the religion of compassion).
Diwali: The significance of Diwali, the festival of lights, is explained as a time of joy and renewal. It connects the festival to Lord Mahavir's attainment of Nirvana, celebrated by lighting lamps. The chapter also warns against harmful practices like bursting firecrackers and gambling, highlighting their negative consequences.
Raja Meghrath (King Meghrath): This is a story of King Meghrath, renowned for his immense compassion. To save a dove from a fowler (representing deities testing his virtue), the king famously cut pieces of his own flesh and placed them on a scale until his flesh weighed equal to the dove. This act of ultimate sacrifice for compassion led to divine recognition and eventually his rebirth as the 16th Jain Tirthankar, Lord Shantinath. The story emphasizes the profound rewards of true compassion.
Guru-Vandana (Salutation to the Guru): This section explains the importance of respecting and saluting Jain monks and nuns, who are considered true gurus. It outlines the strict vows and austere lifestyle of Jain ascetics, emphasizing their detachment from worldly possessions and desires. The specific prayer "Tikkthutto" and the proper etiquette for greeting gurus, including touching their feet (women to nuns, men to monks), are detailed.
Bolo! (Speak!): This chapter provides advice on speaking truthfully, kindly, thoughtfully, and humbly. It encourages speaking with respect, not revealing secrets, avoiding gossip and backbiting, and speaking only when necessary and with a positive intention.
Jain-Dharm - Daya Dharm (Jainism - The Religion of Compassion): This chapter reiterates the central tenet of Jainism: compassion and non-violence (Ahimsa). It explains that just as one dislikes pain, one should not inflict pain on others. It highlights that cultivating compassion naturally leads to other virtues like truthfulness, honesty, contentment, and generosity, making compassion the root of true religion.
Seekh Ki Baatein (Lessons): This section offers practical advice on social conduct, including addressing elders with "Aap," walking behind them, opening doors for them, welcoming guests warmly, maintaining cleanliness while writing, avoiding spitting in public, not closing envelopes with saliva, and offering and receiving things with the right hand. It also lists social taboos like belching, sticking out the tongue, picking one's nose, cracking knuckles, yawning loudly, whispering, and stretching conspicuously in company. It concludes by stressing the importance of greeting everyone with "Jai Jinendra" upon meeting and parting.
Mangal-Path (Auspicious Recitation): This is a devotional prayer or chant dedicated to the four supreme beings in Jainism: Arihants (conquerors of passions), Siddhas (liberated souls), Sadhus (monks), and Jin Dharma (the teachings of the Tirthankaras). It expresses reverence and seeks refuge in them, highlighting their supreme status and their role in leading souls to liberation.
Ratri-Bhojan (Night Meal): This chapter strongly advises against eating at night, illustrating its dangers with a story of a man who unknowingly consumed a lizard cooked in his food due to eating in the dark. It explains that night eating is unnatural, associating it with animals like owls and bats, and can lead to health problems and violence (through inadvertently harming small creatures in the food).
Nal-Damayanti: This chapter recounts the story of King Nal and Queen Damayanti. It portrays Nal as a virtuous king with a serious flaw: addiction to gambling. This led to his ruin, loss of his kingdom, and exile with his devoted wife Damayanti. The story highlights Damayanti's loyalty and strength through adversity and eventually their return to prosperity and spiritual attainment, noting Damayanti's place among the sixteen great virtuous women in Jainism.
Jain-Gaan (Jain Song): A devotional song in praise of "Sanmati," another name for Lord Mahavir. It praises him as the architect of a new era, a guide to salvation, a source of wisdom, a remover of suffering, and a propagator of compassion. The song calls for universal love and the eradication of violence.

Overall Purpose:

"Jain Bal Shiksha Part 3" serves as an educational resource for young Jain children, aiming to instill in them core Jain values such as truthfulness, respect, compassion, non-violence, cleanliness, and devotion to the Tirthankaras and spiritual guides. It aims to shape their character and understanding of Jain philosophy and practices from an early age.