Jain Sadhna Ki Vishishtata - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Jain Sadhna ki Vishishtata" by Hastimal Acharya:

Jain Sadhana ki Vishishtata: The Uniqueness of Jain Spiritual Practice

This text, derived from inspirational discourses by Acharya Hastimal, elucidates the profound significance and unique nature of Jain spiritual practice (Sadhana). It begins by emphasizing that sadhana is an integral and distinguishing feature of human life, setting humans apart from other beings whose lives, devoid of spiritual pursuit, are considered meaningless.

The Importance and Types of Sadhana:

Sadhana as the Key to Success: The text asserts that any endeavor, whether for material gain (artha), pleasure (kama), righteousness (dharma), or liberation (moksha), requires systematic and methodical practice. Sadhana possesses the power to achieve even the most difficult tasks and tame even the fiercest creatures. It allows humans to bend nature to their will and influence powerful beings through renunciation, austerity, and love. The example of a lion obeying a trainer highlights the transformative power of human sadhana.
Two Broad Categories of Sadhana: Sadhana is broadly divided into two categories:
1. Laukik Sadhana (Worldly Sadhana): This includes practices for specific worldly purposes, such as country-specific practices, mantra sadhana, tantra sadhana, and knowledge-based sadhana.
2. Lokottar Sadhana (Transcendental Sadhana): This category encompasses practices undertaken for spiritual growth and liberation, which is the primary focus of Jain sadhana.

The Core of Jain Sadhana: The Soul and Karma:

The Soul's True Nature: Jain philosophy posits that the soul (atma) is distinct from the material world and possesses infinite knowledge, power, and bliss. However, due to its association with karma, the soul has deviated from its true nature, becoming dependent, forgetful of its essence, and thus experiencing suffering, agitation, and worry.
Liberation Through Karma Removal: The central tenet of Jainism is that removing the veil of karma from the soul leads to the realization of its inherent divine nature, dissolving the distinction between the soul and the Supreme Being (Jiva and Shiva).

The Path to Liberation: Beyond Exclusive Practices:

Universal Goal, Diverse Paths: While the goal of freeing the soul from the bondage of karma is shared by most theistic philosophies, their methods differ. Some emphasize devotion ("bhakti"), others mastery of sacred sound ("shabda Brahma"), and some adherence to rituals and actions ("karma-kanda"). The Sankhya school, for instance, suggests liberation is possible for those who understand the twenty-five elements, regardless of their stage of life or ashram.
The Jain Synthesis: Knowledge, Faith, and Conduct: Jainism's distinctive approach emphasizes the inseparable triad of Knowledge (jnana), Faith (darshana), and Conduct (charitra) for achieving complete liberation.
- Exclusive Knowledge is Inert: Pure knowledge without action is like seeing the path but being unable to move.
- Exclusive Action is Blind: Pure action without knowledge is like a bull in an oil mill, endlessly churning without direction, leading to continued cycles of birth and death.
- The Synergy of Knowledge and Action: Knowledge provides the insight to discern right from wrong, the path from the wrong path, but it doesn't provide the movement. Similarly, action without knowledge leads to wandering. Therefore, liberation is achieved through the combined practice of knowledge and action.
The Four Pillars of Jain Sadhana: The text outlines the interconnectedness of the four key elements:
1. Jnana (Knowledge): Understanding the nature of various substances (jiva, ajiva, etc.), distinguishing between what should be embraced and what should be rejected.
2. Darshana (Faith/Right Belief): True conviction in the principles of the soul and reality.
3. Charitra (Conduct/Right Action): Restraining passions like attachment and aversion and preventing the influx of karmic particles.
4. Tapa (Austerity): Purging previously accumulated karma.

The Soul's True Potential and the Path to Self-Realization:

Manifesting the Soul's Innate Qualities: The soul, though inherently possessing infinite knowledge, faith, power, and bliss, appears limited, weak, and sorrowful due to ignorance and attachment. Jain sadhana aims to reveal these innate qualities by dispelling ignorance and eliminating attachment and aversion.
Karma as External Impurity: Ignorance and passions are not inherent to the soul but are like impurities in water that arise from external factors. Just as pure water is revealed when the impurities are removed, the soul's pure form emerges when karmic influences are shed.
Stopping New Karma, Then Purging Old Karma: The most effective approach is to first prevent the influx of new karmic matter by restraining sinful activities (violence, falsehood, etc.) through samyama (restraint). Then, by undertaking tapa (austerities like fasting, study, meditation), the accumulated karma can be gradually purged.

Two Paths within Jain Sadhana: For Householders and Monastics:

The text elaborates on the two primary paths within Jain spiritual practice, distinguished by the extent of renunciation:

Deshavirati Sadhana (Partial Restraint Sadhana):
- For Householders: This path is for householders who have worldly attachments. Unable to renounce all forms of violence and sin, they practice partial renunciation by setting limits on their activities.
- Ethical Living: Householders are encouraged to prioritize dharma even while pursuing artha and kama. They should restrain their desires when their worldly pursuits conflict with dharma.
- Specific Practices: Practices like Paushadh (fasting for six days a month) and Samayika (meditation for a period daily) help householders strengthen their spiritual resolve. Pratikraman (confession and atonement) allows them to review their daily activities and rectify any breaches in their vows.
- Distinction from Other Philosophies: The text highlights Jainism's unique emphasis on householders adhering to ethical guidelines like limiting violence, falsehood, theft, unchaste conduct, and possessiveness. Unlike other philosophies that may consider certain worldly activities like agriculture or warfare as duties, Jainism views even unavoidable violence with a non-attached perspective, and activities like marriage are not considered inherently religious if not practiced with restraint.
- Kings and Renunciation: Even rulers like Chetak and Udayan are cited as examples of those who practiced iccha pariman (limitation of desires) for societal peace. For householders, the ultimate goal is to achieve spiritual strength through improved living and dying.
Sarvavirati Sadhana (Complete Restraint Sadhana):
- For Monastics (Munis and Aryas): This is the complete spiritual practice undertaken by ascetics who renounce all worldly possessions and attachments.
- Total Renunciation: Jain monks and nuns renounce all forms of violence, falsehood, theft, unchaste conduct, and possessiveness through mind, speech, and body. They not only refrain from sin themselves but also do not encourage or condone it in others.
- Extreme Ahimsa: Their practice of ahimsa (non-violence) extends to the subtlest beings, including those in earth, water, fire, air, and vegetation. They avoid any action that might cause harm, such as using vehicles or staying in places with continuous light or fire.
- Vigilance Against Passions: Despite their rigorous practice, the intensity of their passions (raganvesh) can still be a challenge, like a flickering lamp. They must maintain vigilance through disciplined routines, regulated diet, and association, within the protective boundaries of ethical conduct.
- Avoiding Worldly Influence: Ascetics are advised to limit their association with worldly individuals and seek the company of fellow spiritual practitioners to maintain their resolve and avoid the temptations of worldly desires.
- Humility and Detachment: Ascetics must remain free from pride, ego, and the desire for recognition or worship.

Supporting Sadhana: Internal and External Factors:

External Aids (Nimit): These are environmental and circumstantial factors that aid practice, such as devotion to the Divine, respect for the Guru, good company, study of scriptures, and a calm, solitary environment. These external aids can change.
Internal Aids (Anantara): The core of successful sadhana lies in inner factors: a peaceful mind and the partial dissipation of knowledge-obscuring karma. These internal conditions are considered essential. While a conducive environment can foster internal progress, it is ineffective without the mind's willingness. Even after hearing Lord Mahavir's teachings, King Kunik could not control his greed due to an unsettled mind.
Essential Conditions for Progress: For overall progress in sadhana, a healthy body, a peaceful and solitary location, an obstruction-free favorable time, a strong and pure mind, and an encouraging mentor or companion are crucial.
The Role of the Guru and Solitude: The text emphasizes the importance of serving elders and Gurus and dwelling in solitude as external aids, while self-study, contemplation of scriptures, and dharma are internal aids.

The True Soldier of Sadhana:

Qualities of a Victorious Seeker: A Jain spiritual practitioner must be like a true soldier in the battle for victory: unwavering, free from doubt and desire, courageous, indifferent to life and death, and possessed of strong determination.
Detachment and Resolve: Just as a brave soldier forgets family affections and plunges into battle, unconcerned about the outcome, a spiritual seeker must move forward with unwavering focus, understanding that victory leads to a kingdom, and death leads to heaven. Their mantra is to fight bravely without looking back, surrendering to the ultimate will.
Overcoming Fear and Temptation: The spiritual warrior, like the sage Gajasukumala, must face hardships and obstacles fearlessly, abandoning fear and greed, and engaging with a singular focus.
The Vow of Progress: The vow of a Jain practitioner is to move forward with courage, driven by the firm conviction that the task must be accomplished, even at the cost of the body. They continuously strive to accumulate and practice virtues throughout their life.

Obstacles to Sadhana: Internal Enemies:

Mental Poisons: Just as there are aids to sadhana, there are also obstacles or enemies that weaken the practitioner's inner strength. These are not external deities or demons but internal mental afflictions.
The Power of Inner Attachment: The text cites examples of great ascetics like Vishwamitra and Sambhuti Muni who fell prey to inner passions (attachment and desire), leading to their downfall despite their immense austerities and spiritual powers.
Constant Vigilance Against Inner Enemies: Therefore, practitioners must remain constantly vigilant against lust (kama), anger (krodha), greed (lobha), fear (bhaya), and ego (ahamkara), as these are their most formidable enemies. Even praise and respect from devotees can be like poison if not approached with detachment.