Jain Dharm Ka Swaroop - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Dharm ka Swaroop" by Acharya Vijayanandsuri, based on the provided pages:

Overall Purpose:

This book, "Jain Dharm ka Swaroop" (The Nature of Jain Dharma), is a concise introduction to Jainism intended for the general public. It aims to provide a quick and easily understandable overview of its core principles and practices, presented in the author's own words.

Key Concepts and Themes:

The Nature of Time and Cycles:
- The universe (Sansaar) is considered eternal and beginningless/endless from the perspective of "Dravyarthis Nay" (substance-oriented view).
- From the perspective of "Paryayayarithis Nay" (mode-oriented view), it is constantly undergoing creation and destruction.
- Time operates in two cyclical phases: Avsarpini (descending time, where qualities like lifespan, strength, and stature decrease) and Utsarpini (ascending time, where these qualities increase).
- Each of these cycles is divided into six parts called "Are" (stages). Avsarpini's stages are: Sukham Sukham, Sukham, Sukham Dukham, Dukham Sukham, Dukham, and Dukham Dukham. Utsarpini's stages are the reverse.
- This cycle of Avsarpini and Utsarpini is eternal and beginningless/endless.
Tirthankaras and the Path to Liberation:
- In the third and fourth "Are" of both Avsarpini and Utsarpini, 24 Tirthankaras (enlightened beings who reveal true Dharma) are born.
- A soul becomes a Tirthankara by performing 20 specific religious duties (Dharma Krityas) over many lifetimes. These duties include devotion to the seven revered entities (Arihants, Siddhas, the enlightened Sangha, Dharma preceptors, venerable ascetics, scholars, and ascetics performing severe austerities), contemplation on these entities, adherence to right faith (Samyaktva), humility, non-infringement of vows and observances, continuous contemplation and meditation, practicing austerities, giving appropriate donations, serving others, cultivating mental peace through actions, acquiring new knowledge, propagating Jain teachings, respecting scriptures, and undertaking pilgrimages.
- Those who become Tirthankaras attain Nirvana (Moksha) and are liberated from the cycle of rebirth.
- All Tirthankaras teach the same knowledge and principles.
The Two Pillars of Jain Dharma:
- Jainism is broadly divided into Shrut Dharma (knowledge-based Dharma) and Charitra Dharma (conduct-based Dharma).
- Shrut Dharma encompasses the study of the twelve Angas of Jain scripture (Dwadashanga Ganipindaga). It describes:
  - Nava Tattva (Nine Fundamentals): Jiva (Soul), Ajiva (Non-soul), Punhya (Merit), Paap (Demerit), Aashrav (Influx of karmas), Samvar (Stoppage of karmas), Nirjara (Shedding of karmas), Bandh (Bondage of karmas), and Moksha (Liberation).
  - Shat Dravya (Six Substances): Jiva, Ajiva (further classified into Dharma, Adharma, Akash, Pudgal, Kaal).
  - Shat Kaya (Six Classes of Living Beings): Prithvi Kaya (earth-bodied), Ap Kaya (water-bodied), Tejas Kaya (fire-bodied), Vayu Kaya (air-bodied), Vanaspati Kaya (plant-bodied), and Tras Kaya (moving beings - two-sensed to five-sensed).
  - Four Gatis (Four States of Existence): Narak (hellish beings), Tiryanch (animal realm), Manushya (human realm), and Dev (celestial beings).
Detailed Explanation of Core Concepts:
- Jiva (Soul): Characterized by consciousness and knowledge. It is distinct from, yet related to, its attributes. Souls experience different births and variations in the five states of existence and five classes of beings due to karma. Souls are eternal in substance and undergo changes in form.
- Ajiva (Non-soul): Everything that is not a soul. It includes the five categories: Dharma (medium of motion), Adharma (medium of rest), Akash (space), Pudgal (matter), and Kaal (time).
  - Dharmastikaya: Aids in the motion of souls and matter.
  - Adharmastikaya: Aids in the rest of souls and matter.
  - Akashastikaya: Provides space for all substances.
  - Pudgalastikaya: Matter, from subtle atoms to gross forms, including sound, color, taste, smell, touch, shadow, light, heat, celestial bodies, and physical bodies of all living beings. Its powers are immense.
  - Kaalastikaya: Time, the cause of worldly order and change.
- Punhya and Paap: Merit and demerit, leading to happiness and suffering, respectively.
- Aashrav, Samvar, Nirjara, Bandh: The influx, stoppage, shedding, and bondage of karmic particles, which determine a soul's experiences.
- Moksha: Liberation from all karmas, achieved by destroying them through practice.
- Shat Kaya (Six Classes of Beings): Each class (earth, water, fire, air, plants, and moving beings) is considered a collective body of living beings. The text clarifies that elements like water and fire are not merely physical substances but are also comprised of living beings.
- Four Gatis (States of Existence):
  - Narak Gati: Pure suffering, residing in seven hellish layers.
  - Tiryanch Gati: Includes plants, insects, animals, and lower forms of moving beings.
  - Manushya Gati: Humans.
  - Dev Gati: Celestial beings, categorized into Bhuvanpati, Vyantar, Jyotishi, and Vaimanika, with detailed descriptions of their abodes.
- Karma: Eight types of karma (knowledge-obscuring, perception-obscuring, feeling-producing, delusion-producing, lifespan-determining, body-determining, status-determining, and obstruction-causing) are described, with a total of 148 sub-types. Karma is considered inert matter that binds to the soul due to its passions and actions, leading to varied experiences of happiness and suffering.
Core Philosophical Stances (Manta-Vyamanta):
- Arihants and Siddhas are considered supreme beings.
- Jainism does not subscribe to a single, all-pervading God in an absolute sense.
- While God's omnipresence is denied, the knowing power of God (like Arihants/Siddhas) is considered pervasive.
- God is not the creator or controller of the universe.
- The universe is eternal.
- The universe's order is governed by inherent eternal forces like time, nature, destiny, karma, and effort, present within both material and conscious substances.
- God is a witness, a knower, not a bestower of karma-based fruits.
- God's will is not considered absolute in the sense of arbitrary action.
- God provides religious teachings only in the 13th stage of spiritual development (before complete liberation).
- Incarnation of God is not accepted.
- Liberation (Moksha) is eternal and attained by infinite souls.
- Liberated souls are one in essence but infinite in number, like the light of lamps illuminating different spaces.
- Mundane souls and liberated souls are similar in essence but differ due to karmic bondage.
- Jainism does not believe in a creator God; the inherent powers of material and conscious substances are responsible for creation and governance.
- Eighteen qualities of being free from defects define a divine being (Deo/Parmeshwar).
- Five vows (Panch Mahavrat) and right faith, knowledge, and conduct define a Guru.
- The path to liberation taught by defect-free divine beings is considered true Dharma.
- There are six substances, nine fundamentals, six classes of beings, and four states of existence.
Charitra Dharma (Conduct-based Dharma):
- Sadhu Dharma (Ascetic Conduct): Involves strict adherence to 17 aspects of self-restraint, including the five great vows (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possession), control over anger, pride, deceit, greed, senses, and the three controls (mind, speech, body). Ascetics must be free from 42 types of defects, practice austerity, beg for alms without causing harm, and live a life of detachment and preaching.
- Grihastha Dharma (Layperson Conduct): Divided into two types:
  - Avirati Samyag-drishti (Non-abstinent Right-faith follower): Someone who cannot yet practice many restrictions but adheres to right faith, worships the Arihant, and follows eight observances related to faith, without transgression. These include having no doubt in Jain teachings, not desiring other faiths, not doubting the fruits of actions, not being swayed by other practices, glorifying virtuous people, helping fallen souls return to the path, showing affection to fellow Jains, and promoting Jainism.
  - Desha-virati (Partially Abstinent): Further divided into lower, middle, and upper levels.
    - Lower Level: Abstaining from intentional harm to mobile beings, consuming forbidden items (alcohol, meat), and reciting the Navkar mantra with adherence.
    - Middle Level: Possessing 21 virtues, practicing six daily observances (Shadkarma) and six essential duties (Shadavaashyak), and taking twelve vows. The 21 virtues are described in detail (gravity, beauty, gentleness, popularity, purity of mind, fearlessness in righteousness, honesty, generosity, shyness, compassion, impartiality, pleasant disposition, fondness for virtues, supportive family, foresight, discernment, following elders, humility, gratitude, working for others' welfare, understanding the essence of teachings). The six daily observances are Dev Puja, Guru Upasti, Swadhyay, Samyam, Tap, and Daan. The six essential duties are Samayik, Chaturvinshati-stotra, Vandanaka, Pratikraman, Kayotsarga, and Pratyakhyan. The twelve vows include abstaining from violence, falsehood, stealing, sensual misconduct, excessive possession, restricting directions, enjoying/consuming (food, goods), wrongful actions, and practicing Samayik, Deshavakashik, Paushadh, and Atithi-samvibhag.
    - Upper Level: Avoiding food that has touched living beings (sacchitta), eating once a day, and practicing celibacy.
Daily Conduct of a Layperson:
- Waking up before sunrise, meditating on the Panch Parmeshthi, reflecting on one's spiritual state, duties, and areas for improvement.
- Performing daily observances and making resolutions (pratyakhyan).
- Worshipping Jinendra (Jain deities) in the morning and afternoon.
- Meeting and listening to spiritual guides (gurus) and attending lectures (vyakhyan).
- Serving and caring for ascetics.
- Earning a livelihood through ethical means.
- Practicing compassion by feeding the needy and animals.
- Eating pure and digestible food, avoiding forbidden items and overeating.
- Reflecting on religious scriptures.
- Continuing worship in the evening.
- Performing evening duties and sleeping with meditation.

This summary aims to capture the essence of the text, providing a foundational understanding of Jainism as presented by Acharya Vijayanandsuri.