Jain Dharm Shikshavali Part 05

The provided Jain text is "Jain Dharm Shikshavali Part 05" by Atmaramji Maharaj. It is a comprehensive guide for Jain education, covering various aspects of Jain philosophy and practice. The book is structured into several lessons, each delving into different topics.

Here's a summary of the key themes and content presented in the text:

Overall Purpose: The book aims to educate young disciples and the general populace about Jainism, its principles, and the conduct expected of its followers. It emphasizes the importance of knowledge, righteousness, and ethical living to achieve spiritual liberation.

Key Lessons and Themes:

• Lesson 1: Ishwar Stuti (Praise of God): This lesson introduces the concept of the ultimate divine being, referred to by various names like Ishwar, Siddha, Parmatma, Khuda, Rabb, and God. It highlights God's omniscience and infinite power, emphasizing that God knows all our inner thoughts and actions, both good and bad. The core message is to remember God and avoid doing wrong to purify the soul. It also clarifies that God does not cause birth or death, nor does God take birth or have physical forms, as God is eternally pure and blissful.

• Lesson 2: Guru Bhakti (Devotion to the Guru): This lesson stresses the importance of devotion to the spiritual teacher (Guru). It illustrates this through a dialogue between Hemchand and Kapurachandra, who discuss how to properly honor and serve their Guru. Key aspects of Guru Bhakti include:

  • Going to welcome the Guru upon arrival.
  • Putting effort into listening to and understanding the Guru's discourses.
  • Serving the Guru with pure and appropriate food and drink.
  • Leaving worldly tasks aside to ask the Guru questions and clear doubts.
  • The benefit of Guru Bhakti is seen as strengthening Dharma and leading to spiritual progress.

• Lesson 3: Jain Sabha Vishay (About Jain Assemblies): This lesson describes the functioning and importance of Jain assemblies. It depicts a scene where a Jain assembly is well-organized with members in their designated places, and various religious activities are conducted. The assembly plays a crucial role in propagating Jain Dharma through lectures, discussions on topics like "Ishwar Kartrutva" (God's role in creation), and the establishment of Jain Sabhas for religious propagation. It also highlights the positive impact of these assemblies on the community.

• Lesson 4: Jain Kanya Pathshala (Jain Girls' School): This lesson focuses on the education of girls within the Jain tradition. It describes a scene at a Jain girls' school where education in various subjects, including scriptures and vocational arts, is provided. The lesson emphasizes the importance of women's education for the upliftment of society and the family. It also includes a poignant speech by a female student, Padmawati Devi, lamenting the decline of women's status due to a lack of education and adherence to duties, contrasting it with the past when women were highly respected.

• Lesson 5: Jain Siddhant Vishay (About Jain Principles): This lesson delves into fundamental Jain philosophical concepts, particularly addressing the nature of the universe and the origin of creation. It engages in a discourse about the eternity of the world (Anadi and Adi), the nature of cause and effect, and the role of the Supreme Being. The text explains the concepts of Anadi (eternal) and Adi (having a beginning) in relation to the universe and discusses the relationship between cause and effect. It clarifies that the universe is considered both Anadi and Adi due to the continuous cycle of cause and effect. It also touches upon the nature of souls (Jiva) and non-souls (Ajiva) and their interaction.

• Lesson 6: Sadhu Vritti (The Way of Monks): This lesson elaborates on the austere and righteous life led by Jain monks. It highlights their commitment to enduring hardships for the sake of Dharma and the welfare of humanity. The text emphasizes their detachment from worldly desires and their pursuit of self-knowledge and spiritual peace. It contrasts their path with those who seek happiness in worldly pleasures, stating that true peace and happiness come from renunciation and self-control.

• Lesson 7: Sadhana Paddhati (Methods of Spiritual Practice): This lesson outlines the core spiritual practices and disciplines for monks, emphasizing the importance of the five Mahavratas (great vows) and the five Samitis (codes of conduct). The Mahavratas are discussed in detail:

  • Ahimsa Mahavrat: Non-violence in thought, word, and deed.
  • Satya Mahavrat: Truthfulness, avoiding falsehood.
  • Asteya Mahavrat: Non-stealing, refraining from taking what is not given.
  • Brahmacharya Mahavrat: Chastity and celibacy.
  • Aparigraha Mahavrat: Non-possession and detachment from material possessions. The Samitis are also mentioned: Iryā Samiti (careful movement), Bhāṣā Samiti (careful speech), Eṣaṇā Samiti (careful alms-seeking), Ādāna-nikṣepaṇa Samiti (careful handling of objects), and Pratishthāpanā Samiti (careful excretion).

• Lesson 8: Sanyat Rajarshi ka Parichay (Introduction to King Sanyat): This lesson narrates the story of King Sanyat, who renounced his kingdom after a hunting incident where he accidentally wounded a deer. The encounter with a Jain monk in the forest leads him to profound spiritual realization and ultimately to renunciation. The king's story highlights the transient nature of worldly possessions and the ultimate importance of spiritual pursuit.

• Lesson 9: Jain Siddhant Vishay (Continued - Jain Principles): This lesson appears to be a continuation of Lesson 5, further exploring Jain philosophical tenets. It seems to be in a question-and-answer format, discussing concepts related to the creation of the universe, the nature of God, and the existence of souls. It touches upon the idea that the universe is eternal and that God is not a creator in the conventional sense but rather a being of pure consciousness and power.

• Lesson 10: Shramano Upasak Vishay (The Lay Follower in Jainism): This lesson focuses on the role and duties of a Jain lay follower (Shravak and Shravika). It emphasizes the importance of conduct, virtues, and adherence to religious principles in daily life. The text lists twenty-one key virtues that a lay follower should cultivate, including:

  • Avoiding miserliness and unjust wealth.
  • Possessing good conduct and character.
  • Maintaining a pleasant demeanor and auspicious appearance.
  • Speaking kindly and truthfully.
  • Having a pure heart and forgiving nature.
  • Being charitable and helping others.
  • Practicing self-control and detachment.
  • Living a life of piety and peace.

• Lesson 11: Shri Shraman Bhagwan Mahavir Swami Ji: This lesson provides a biographical account of Lord Mahavir Swami, the 24th Tirthankar of Jainism. It details his birth, childhood, marriage, renunciation, spiritual practices, enlightenment, and teachings. The lesson highlights his efforts in propagating the principles of Ahimsa (non-violence) and his role in establishing the fourfold Jain community. His core teachings on Jiva (soul), Ajiva (non-soul), Ahimsa, soul, soul's journey, and liberation are touched upon.

• Lesson 12: Shravika Vishay (The Jain Laywoman): This lesson specifically addresses the duties and virtues expected of Jain laywomen (Shravikas). It emphasizes the importance of their role in maintaining family harmony, upholding religious traditions, and contributing to societal well-being. The text stresses the need for chastity, fidelity to one's husband, and the practice of virtues.

• Lesson 13: Dev Guru Aur Dharma Vishay (About Deity, Guru, and Dharma): This lesson discusses the essential elements of spiritual practice in Jainism: recognizing the true nature of a Deity (Deva), a Guru, and Dharma. It criticizes the worship of deities with worldly attributes like possessing wives or weapons, emphasizing that true deities are omniscient, pure, and free from all worldly attachments. Similarly, it defines a true Guru as one who embodies divine knowledge and compassion, and true Dharma as that which leads to liberation and promotes non-violence.

• Lesson 14: Bhagwan Mahavir Swami Ji Aur Ahinsa Ka Prachar (Lord Mahavir Swami and the Propagation of Ahimsa): This lesson focuses on Lord Mahavir's mission to spread the message of Ahimsa (non-violence). It highlights his efforts to reform society by eradicating the practice of animal sacrifice during religious rituals, which was prevalent at that time. His teachings emphasized compassion and respect for all living beings.

• Lesson 15: Dhanna Sheth Ki Katha (The Story of Dhanna Sheth): This lesson narrates the story of Dhanna Sheth, a wealthy merchant who, despite his prosperity, tested his four daughters-in-law to see their true character and their understanding of true wealth. Through a simple act of giving them grain, he discovered that only one daughter-in-law truly valued and nurtured it, while the others were indifferent or wasteful. This story emphasizes the importance of discernment, foresight, and the true meaning of wealth.

• Lesson 16: Jain Dharm (About Jain Dharma): This lesson provides a general overview of Jainism. It discusses its historical spread, the number of adherents, and its major sects (Shvetambar Sthānakavāsī, Digambar, and Shvetambar Pūjerā). It also touches upon the rich collection of Jain literature in various languages and laments the current decline in the propagation of Jain Dharma due to a lack of comprehensive religious education. It highlights Ahimsa as the central tenet of Jainism.

• Lesson 17: Dharma Prachar Vishay (About the Propagation of Dharma): This lesson emphasizes the crucial role of Dharma Prachar (propagation of Dharma) in fostering a virtuous society. It outlines various means for effective Dharma Prachar, including:

  • The importance of enlightened and virtuous preachers who speak with compassion and in the language of the audience.
  • The power of religious literature and the need for its widespread dissemination.
  • The establishment of religious institutions like schools and centers for lectures.
  • The importance of societal support and participation in Dharma activities.

The book further continues with detailed discussions on:

• Aushadh Prayog (Use of Medicines): This section delves into the principles of Ayurveda and traditional Indian medicine, discussing the properties and uses of various herbs, roots, minerals, and animal products used in preparing medicines. It covers the preparation of various medicinal formulations like Arishta, Asava, Lehya, Churna, Ghrita, Taila, and Ark.

• Jwar Varnan (Description of Fevers): This extensive section meticulously describes various types of fevers, their causes (Doshas like Vata, Pitta, Kapha), symptoms, and treatments. It categorizes fevers based on their origin (internal, external), the involved Doshas, and their duration. It also includes descriptions of some common fevers like Malaria and Chickenpox, along with their treatments.

• Rogi Pariksha (Diagnosis of Diseases): This section explains various methods of diagnosing ailments, including examining the pulse (Nadi Pariksha), observing the tongue (Jihva Pariksha), inspecting the eyes, skin, urine, and stool (Darshan Pariksha), and questioning the patient and their attendants (Prashna Pariksha). It provides detailed descriptions of what different signs in these examinations indicate about the patient's health and the nature of their illness.

• Dravya Vivaran (Description of Substances): This is a detailed pharmacological section, outlining the properties and medicinal uses of various categories of substances:

  • Dravya Varga (Substances Category): Discusses cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, and milk products.
  • Ghrita Varga (Ghee Category): Explains the benefits and properties of ghee.
  • Dadhi Varga (Curd Category): Details the characteristics and uses of curd.
  • Takra Varga (Buttermilk Category): Explains the benefits of buttermilk.
  • Phal Varga (Fruit Category): Describes various fruits and their medicinal properties.
  • Taila Varga (Oil Category): Discusses different types of oils and their uses.
  • Kshar Varga (Alkali Category): Explains the properties and uses of various alkalis and salts.
  • Mishra Varga (Mixture Category): Details various mixtures and their preparation.
  • Ritu Charya (Seasonal Regimen): Provides guidance on diet and lifestyle according to the seasons.
  • Dincharya (Daily Routine): Outlines the ideal daily routine for health and spiritual well-being.
  • Rog Samanya Karan (General Causes of Diseases): Discusses the common factors leading to illnesses.
  • Tridoshaj Rog Varnan (Description of Diseases Arising from Tri-Dosha Imbalance): Explains diseases caused by imbalances of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
  • Dushya Pariksha (Examination of Bodily Humors): Discusses how to diagnose imbalances of bodily humors.

The overall tone of the book is didactic and spiritual, aiming to guide individuals towards a righteous life and ultimately towards Moksha (liberation). It combines philosophical teachings with practical advice on health and conduct, reflecting a holistic approach to spiritual and worldly well-being within the Jain tradition.