Jain Siddhant Dipika

This document is a translation of the Jain text "Jain Siddhant Deepika" (Jain Doctrine Lamp) authored by Acharya Tulsi and Munishri Nathmal. It is published by Adarsh Sahitya Sangh. The book is presented as an educational resource for personal and private use, made available through The Free Indological Collection.

The preface and editorial notes highlight the purpose of the book: to illuminate Jain philosophy for seekers, especially those who find other texts too complex. It emphasizes the importance of definitions (Paribhasha) in understanding Jain principles, as demonstrated by a scholar's appreciation for the clear definition of "Upayoga" as "consciousness activity." The book is presented as a second edition, updated for modern relevance.

The table of contents reveals the book is structured into nine chapters (Prakash):

• First Chapter (Prakasha 1): Focuses on the Dravyas (Substances) of Jainism. It defines the six fundamental substances: Dharma (medium of motion), Adharma (medium of rest), Akasha (space), Pudgala (matter), Kala (time), and Jiva (soul). It details their characteristics, classifications (like atoms and aggregates for matter), and the concept of astikayas (substances that occupy space and have manifold existence).

• Second Chapter (Prakasha 2): Deals with Tattvas (Realities) and the nature of the Jiva (Soul). It outlines the seven realities: Jiva, Ajiva, Punya (merit), Papa (demerit), Ashrava (influx of karma), Samvara (cessation of karma influx), Nirjara (shedding of karma), Bandha (bondage of karma), and Moksha (liberation). It elaborates on the soul's characteristics, particularly "Upayoga" (consciousness activity), and the types of knowledge (Mati, Shruta, Avadhi, Manahparyaya, Kevala). It also discusses the five senses, mind, and the soul's different states of being (Bhavas).

• Third Chapter (Prakasha 3): Explores the divisions of Jiva and Ajiva. It categorizes souls into Jivas (living beings) and Ajiva (non-living matter). Jivas are further classified into Trasa (mobile) and Sthavara (immobile) beings, with detailed descriptions of the five types of Sthavara (earth-bodied, water-bodied, fire-bodied, air-bodied, plant-bodied) and the four types of Trasa (two-sensed, three-sensed, four-sensed, and five-sensed). It also discusses the concepts of Paryapti (achievement of essential capabilities) and Prana (life-force).

• Fourth Chapter (Prakasha 4): Focuses on Karma and its related concepts. It explains the eight types of karma (Jnanavaraniya, Darshanavaraniya, Vedaniya, Mohaniya, Ayushya, Nama, Gotra, Antaraya) and their functions. It also details the ten states of karma (Bandha, Udvarta, Apavarta, etc.), the process of karma influx (Ashrava), and its causes like Mithyatva (wrong belief), Avirati (non-restraint), Pramada (carelessness), Kashaya (passions), and Yoga (activity of mind, speech, and body).

• Fifth Chapter (Prakasha 5): Discusses Samvara (cessation of karma influx) and Nirjara (shedding of karma). It explains Samvara through its five components: Samyak-darshan (right faith), Virati (restraint), Apramada (vigilance), Akashaya (absence of passions), and Ayoga (absence of activity). It delves into the types of Samyak-darshan and the process of achieving it. Nirjara is described as the shedding of karma through austerities (Tapas).

• Sixth Chapter (Prakasha 6): Focuses on the Moksha Marga (Path to Liberation). It outlines the three jewels: Samyak-darshan (right faith), Samyak-jnana (right knowledge), and Samyak-charitra (right conduct). It details the five types of conduct, the five great vows (Mahavratas), the five disciplines (Samitis), the three controls (Guptis), and the twelve contemplations (Anupreksha). It also explains the lesser vows (Anuvratas), vows of training (Shikshavratas), the stages of practice for laypeople (Pratimas), and the different types of austerities (external and internal).

• Seventh Chapter (Prakasha 7): Explains the fourteen stages of spiritual evolution (Jivasthanas) which represent the soul's progress towards purification from karma. These stages are described from the state of fundamental ignorance (Mithyadrsti) to the state of omniscience (Samyogi and Ayogi Kevalin).

• Eighth Chapter (Prakasha 8): Discusses Deva (Gods/Elders), Guru (Preceptors), and Dharma (Religion/Righteousness). It defines Ahant as Deva, and Nirgrantha as Guru. Dharma is explained as the means to soul purification, with its various classifications based on different perspectives, emphasizing Ahimsa (non-violence) as the primary form of Dharma.

• Ninth Chapter (Prakasha 9): Covers the epistemological framework of Jainism: Pramana (means of valid knowledge), Naya (standpoints), and Nikshepa (classification). It explains how these tools are used to understand the Tattvas.

The book concludes with a glossary of technical terms, providing detailed explanations for a deeper understanding of Jain philosophical concepts. The overall aim of "Jain Siddhant Deepika" is to provide a clear, concise, and accessible introduction to the core tenets of Jain philosophy, making complex doctrines understandable for a wider audience.