Jain Parampara Me Upadhyay Pad - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Jain Parampara me Upadhyay Pad" by Rupchandra Muni:

The text "Jain Parampara me Upadhyay Pad" by Rupchandra Muni provides a detailed and comprehensive overview of the Upadhyay (teacher/scholar) position within the Jain tradition. It highlights the dignity, utility, and specific role of the Upadhyay, emphasizing that liberation (Nirvana) is the ultimate goal of all religions.

Core Principles of Jainism:

Jainism, unlike religions that focus solely on knowledge ("Shrutam Shreyah" - Scripture is best) or solely on conduct ("Sheelam Shreyah" - Conduct is best), advocates for a synthesis of knowledge (Gyan) and conduct (Kriya/Charan).
Liberation is achieved through the union of knowledge and conduct. Neither alone is sufficient.
Purity of conduct is a prerequisite for acquiring true knowledge. One with impure conduct cannot attain right knowledge. As Manu Smriti states, a Brahmin fallen from conduct does not attain the fruit of Vedic knowledge. Acharya Bhadrabahu emphasized that the essence of the Angas (Jain scriptures) is Achara (conduct).
Lord Mahavir stated that one who is angry, arrogant, negligent, sick, or lazy cannot attain knowledge. This underscores the importance of a disciplined and virtuous life for intellectual pursuit.

The Role and Etymology of Upadhyay:

The Jain Sangha (community) establishes the positions of Acharya (leader/preceptor) and then Upadhyay to ensure the systematic transmission of knowledge and conduct. An Acharya primarily teaches conduct, while an Upadhyay specializes in imparting deeper scriptural knowledge.
Etymologically, the word "Upadhyay" is derived from "upa" (near) and "adhyay" (study). It refers to someone from whom disciples "upa" (approach) to "adhyay" (study) scriptures. Acharya Shilanka defines Upadhyay as a teacher ("adhyapak").
The Bhagavati Aradhana's Vijayodaya commentary states that Upadhyayas are those who, being proficient in the Ratnatraya (three jewels: right faith, right knowledge, right conduct), impart the teachings of Jina (Jain scriptures) to others.
Another interpretation defines "Uvajjhay" as one who always studies the ocean of scripture with "upa" (use/application) and "adhyayan" (study), signifying diligent and mindful learning.

Qualifications and Virtues of an Upadhyay:

The text details the significant qualifications and virtues required for the Upadhyay. The Shastras mention 36 qualities for Acharyas and 25 for Upadhyayas.
Minimum Eligibility: An Upadhyay must have been initiated for at least three years, be knowledgeable in the Achara Kalpa (Acharaṅga and Nishiṭha Sutra), skilled in conduct, aware of the proper time for spiritual practice, and possess the prescribed physical attributes (mention of hair growth in specific areas).
The 25 Qualities: These are broadly categorized as:
- Knowledge of the 12 Angas: Mastery of all twelve principal Jain scriptures (Acharaṅga, Sūtrākṛtaṅga, Sthānāṅga, Samavāyāṅga, Vyākhyāprajñapti, Jñāta-dharmakaṭhā, Upāsaka-daśā, Antakṛd-daśā, Anuttar-aupapātika-daśā, Praśna-vyākaraṇa, Vipāka-śruta, and Dṛṣṭivāda).
- Mastery of Karan-Sattari (Seventy principles of action/practice): This includes purity in collecting alms (food, vessel, clothing, bedding), adherence to the five Samitis (vigilance in movement, speech, alms-collection, handling of objects, and excretion), contemplation of twelve Bhavanas (meditations on impermanence, suffering, etc.), mastery of various Bhikshu Pratimas (stages of ascetic practice), twenty-five types of reflection (Pratilekhana), control over the five senses, control over mind, speech, and body (Gupti), and adherence to Abhigrahas (vows) based on substance, place, time, and state.
- Mastery of Charan-Sattari (Seventy principles of conduct): This encompasses adherence to the five Mahavratas (great vows), ten types of Shramana Dharma (qualities of a renunciate like forgiveness, simplicity, truthfulness), seventeen types of Sanyam (restraint, including restraint of different types of beings and senses), ten types of Vaiyavṛtya (service to seniors, sick, new initiates, etc.), nine Guptis of Brahmacharya (celibacy), and the pure practice of knowledge, faith, and conduct, twelve types of penance, and control over the four passions (anger, pride, delusion, greed).
- Eight types of Prabhāvanā (influence/eloquence): The Upadhyay should be skilled in discourse, debate, possessing foresight, practicing penance, being knowledgeable in various sciences, adept in occult sciences, and capable of composing poetry.
- Control over mind, speech, and body.

The Significance and Importance of the Upadhyay:

The Upadhyay holds a position of great honor and importance within the Sangha, almost equal to that of the Acharya. While their role might be considered secondary to the Acharya in terms of administrative leadership, their contribution to the intellectual and spiritual propagation of Jainism is immense.
Both Acharyas and Upadhyayas are accorded respect, such as the cleansing of their feet upon entering a place of residence. They share responsibilities in disseminating orders and prohibitions within the community.
Upadhyayas are the guardians and disseminators of scriptural knowledge. They are responsible for ensuring the correct pronunciation, clarity, purity, and immutability of the Jain scriptures. In contemporary terms, they are linguistic scientists of the Agamas, preserving their traditional essence.
The text highlights the critical importance of preserving the scriptural texts accurately, as even a slight alteration in pronunciation or word order can lead to misinterpretation and significant errors, citing the example of Emperor Ashoka's son.
Upadhyayas are likened to skilled gardeners who ensure the purity, flawlessness, and growth of the "knowledge trees" in the "garden" of the Sangha.
While it may be difficult to find Upadhyayas possessing all the aforementioned qualities in the current era, any scholar-ascetic who has attained scriptural knowledge and imparts it to others is considered worthy of the dignity of the Upadhyay position and aspires to embody its full spirit.

The text concludes with a prayer and a verse from Acharya Amitagati, praising Upadhyayas as embodiments of penance, wisdom, and eloquence, and seeking their blessings for purification.