Jain Dharm Aur Murti Puja - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Dharm aur Murti Puja" by Virdhilal Sethi, based on the provided pages:

This book, "Jain Dharm aur Murti Puja" (Jainism and Idol Worship), authored by Virdhilal Sethi and published by Gyanchand Jain Kota, delves into the philosophical underpinnings of Jain worship, particularly focusing on the practice of idol worship.

Core Jain Philosophy and the Nature of the Soul:

The book begins by establishing the fundamental Jain understanding of the universe, which is composed of two fundamental categories: Jiva (Conscious Substance) and Ajava (Unconscious Substance). The Jiva, or soul, is characterized by consciousness, while the Ajiva is the opposite. The universe is the result of the interaction between these two. The soul, due to its inherent qualities of knowledge, bliss, and subtleness, becomes entangled with Ajiva substances (like karmic particles) through its own actions and passions (kashayas like anger, pride, deceit, and greed). This entanglement veils its true nature, leading to a diminished state of existence characterized by ignorance, limited knowledge, transient pleasure, and suffering.

The Path to Liberation (Moksha):

Liberation (Moksha) is achieved by the soul shedding these karmic coverings. This is accomplished through two primary processes:

Samvara (Inhibition of New Karma): Preventing the influx of new karmic particles.
Nirjara (Shedding of Existing Karma): Actively removing the karma that has already attached to the soul.

These processes are facilitated through spiritual practices like contemplation of the soul's true nature, adherence to virtuous conduct (charitra), and asceticism (tapasya) involving internal and external practices like meditation.

The Concept of the Perfected Soul (Paramaatma):

The ultimate state of the soul, when freed from all karmic bondage, is called Paramaatma (Supreme Soul). This state is characterized by infinite knowledge, infinite bliss, and perfect equanimity. Various names are attributed to this state, reflecting its different qualities: Arhat, Jina, Siddha, Sarvagya (Omniscient), Vitaraagi (Devoid of Attachment and Aversion), Shuddha (Pure), Buddha (Enlightened), Paranjyoti (Supreme Light), Niranjan (Spotless), and Nirvicar (Unchanging).

The Nature of Arhats and Siddhas:

Arhats: Souls who have attained omniscience while still in a physical body are called Arhats or "Jivanmukta" (liberated while living). They act as spiritual guides, teaching beings about the nature of the soul, the causes of suffering, and the path to liberation.
Siddhas: When the physical body is also shed, the liberated soul becomes a Siddha, residing in the highest part of the universe.

The Role of Worship (Upasana) and Idols:

The book addresses the central theme of Murti Puja (Idol Worship). It asserts that the primary purpose of worshipping perfected beings like Arhats is not to please them or receive worldly boons, as these beings are completely detached from worldly desires. Instead, the worship is for the benefit of the worshipper.

The core reasons for worship are:

Remembering and Emulating Virtues: Arhats embody the soul's inherent pure qualities. Their images (Murtis) serve as reminders of these virtues, encouraging the devotee to cultivate them within themselves. Contemplating their life and qualities helps purify one's own thoughts and character.
Aid to Concentration (Dhyana): For individuals engrossed in worldly desires, it is difficult to focus their minds on abstract concepts. Murtis act as a tangible anchor to help concentrate the mind on the divine qualities, facilitating meditation and spiritual progress.

Critique of Current Idol Worship Practices:

The book strongly criticizes the prevalent, superficial practices of idol worship within the Jain community. It argues that many people engage in such practices for materialistic gains, performing rituals without understanding their deeper meaning. This includes:

Materialistic Motivations: Offering wealth, performing rituals solely to fulfill worldly desires (like wealth, health, or overcoming misfortunes), and making vows for material benefits.
Ritualistic Obsession: Focusing on the outward performance of rituals like offering water, sandalwood, flowers, etc., without genuine inner contemplation or understanding of the symbolic meaning of these offerings.
Blind Faith and Misinterpretation: Believing that simply offering to Murtis will magically erase karma or grant the virtues of the Arhats, rather than understanding that it is the internal contemplation of these virtues that leads to spiritual growth.
Commercialization and Corruption: The book points out the financial exploitation in temples and the disputes over them, highlighting how the focus has shifted from spiritual upliftment to material gain and conflict.

Historical Context and Evolution of Practices:

The book provides a historical perspective, suggesting that the elaborate rituals and idol worship prevalent today were not a feature of early Jainism. It implies that many of these practices were adopted or adapted from Hinduism during periods of persecution and societal pressure, as a means to preserve Jain identity and practices. The "Ashta Dravya Puja" (worship with eight substances) is presented as a later development, with the book suggesting its significance lies in the underlying "Bhava Puja" (mental worship and contemplation of virtues) rather than the material offerings themselves.

The True Nature of Worship:

The book emphasizes that true worship (Upasana) is the internal cultivation of virtuous qualities. While Murtis can be a helpful tool, the ultimate goal is to internalize the teachings and virtues of the perfected beings. The book distinguishes between:

Dravya Puja (Material Worship): Offering physical substances.
Bhava Puja (Mental Worship): Contemplating the virtues and qualities of the divine.

It argues that while Dravya Puja can serve as a means to facilitate Bhava Puja, especially for beginners, it should not be mistaken for the ultimate form of worship. The true essence lies in the inner transformation and the emulation of the divine qualities.

Key Arguments and Recommendations:

Focus on Inner Transformation: True Jain worship is about cultivating virtues like equanimity, non-violence, truthfulness, and detachment.
Understanding the Symbolic Meaning: The purpose of offerings and rituals is to remind oneself of the qualities of the liberated souls.
Discernment between Means and End: Idol worship is a means to an end (spiritual growth), not the end itself.
Critique of Superstitious Practices: The book advocates against practices rooted in superstition, materialism, and blind imitation.
Need for Reform: The author calls for a reform in the current practices of idol worship, urging Jains to focus on the spiritual essence and discard hollow rituals and ostentatious displays.
Education is Crucial: The importance of educating individuals about the true philosophical principles of Jainism is highlighted to combat misinterpretations and superficiality.

In essence, "Jain Dharm aur Murti Puja" is a call for a more profound and meaningful approach to worship within Jainism. It encourages devotees to move beyond superficial rituals and embrace the core principles of self-discipline, ethical conduct, and the internal cultivation of divine virtues, using the examples of Arhats and their Murtis as guides on this spiritual journey.