Jain Tattva Darshan Part 02 - Book Summary

This document is a compilation of Jain teachings and principles, specifically the second part of a series titled "Jain Tattva Darshan" (Essence of Jain Philosophy). Published by Vardhaman Jain Mandal, Chennai, it aims to educate children and young people about Jainism.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the key themes and content:

Core Purpose and Philosophy:

From Darkness to Light: The book emphasizes that ignorance is darkness, and knowledge is light. True knowledge, or samyak gyan, cultivates discernment, helping one understand what to do, what not to do, what to speak, what not to speak, what to think, what not to think, what to abandon, and what not to abandon. It teaches the distinction between the worthy of adoption (upadeya) and the worthy of abandonment (heya).
Importance of Early Education: Children are seen as sponges, absorbing the values and traditions they are taught. Therefore, instilling Jain principles from a young age is crucial for their future guidance and the well-being of society.
Holistic Development: The curriculum aims to not only impart knowledge of Jain scriptures (sutra gyan), their meanings (artha gyan), and philosophical principles (tattva gyan) but also to foster genuine faith (shraddha) and practical application (practical use) in children.
Legacy of Pandit Kuvarjibhai Dosi: The book is dedicated to the memory of Pandit Kuvarjibhai Dosi, a respected scholar and preacher who dedicated 45 years to spreading Jain knowledge in Chennai. His legacy of spreading the light of knowledge is intended to continue through this publication.

Key Content Areas:

Introduction and Acknowledgment: The initial pages introduce the book, its publisher, and express gratitude to various spiritual leaders, teachers, and supporters who contributed to its creation.
Foundational Jain Concepts:
- Tirthankara Introduction: Lists the 24 Tirthankaras, their symbols (lanchhan), auspicious symbols (ashta mangal), names of months, and numerical knowledge.
- Divine Eulogies (Kavya Sangrah): Includes prayers, praises of the Tirthankaras (prabhu stutis), rituals for worshipping the 24 Jinas (Shri Chaubis Jin Chaitya Vandan), general praises of Jinas (Shri Samanya Jin Stavan and Shri Samanya Jin Stuti).
- Jain Puja Vidhi (Jain Worship Methods): Details the eight types of offerings in ashtaprakari puja (water, sandalwood, flowers, incense, lamp, unbroken rice, sweets, fruit) with explanatory couplets (dohas). It also explains the navang puja (worship of nine limbs) with corresponding couplets.
- Knowledge (Gyan): Explains the different types of Jain knowledge: mati gyan (sensory knowledge), shrut gyan (scriptural knowledge), avadhi gyan (clairvoyance), manah paryav gyan (telepathy), and keval gyan (omniscience), often through couplets.
- Navapad (Ninefold Path): Lists the nine fundamental categories of Jainism (Deva, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, Sadhu, Dharma, Darshan, Gyan, Charitra) along with their qualities and numerical significance.
- Conduct and Daily Routine:
  - Nad-Ghosh: Jain slogans and chants.
  - Mere Guru (My Gurus): Highlights the importance of using correct terminology when referring to Jain monks and nuns.
  - Dincharya (Daily Routine): Provides guidance on waking up in the morning, including methods of remembering the Tirthankaras and counting rosaries.
  - Bhojan Vivek (Food Etiquette): Emphasizes principles of mindful eating, such as avoiding eating while standing, walking, or distracted. It also advises against consuming certain foods like root vegetables, bread, butter, cheese, and eggs, and stresses the importance of not wasting food and cleaning one's plate. It also advises eating after offering food to monks and the needy.
  - Mata-Pita Ka Upkar (The Obligation to Parents): Details the importance of respecting, obeying, and serving parents.
  - Jivdaya-Jayanā (Compassion for Living Beings): Stresses the principle of non-violence towards all living beings, explaining that harming even small creatures is unjust.
  - Vinay-Vivek (Humility and Discernment): Outlines various forms of disrespect (āshatanā) to be avoided in religious places like temples (e.g., eating, drinking, speaking irreverently, sleeping, spitting).
Understanding Jain Philosophy:
- Samyak Gyan: Explains the nature of true knowledge, encompassing the eight types of karmas (ashta karma) and the nine tattvas (nava tattva).
- Sahan Karna (To Endure): Encourages tolerance and patience in difficult situations, highlighting the virtues of enduring parental scolding, teacher's correction, and hardships.
- Itna Nahin Dekhna (Not to See So Much): Advises against indulging in activities like watching movies, observing others' faults, engaging in wrongdoings, or being greedy for others' wealth.
- Prabhu Pujan (Worship of the Lord): Reaffirms the importance of daily worship, including various forms of offerings and prayer.
- Pathshala (School): Underscores the benefits of attending religious schools, which impart true knowledge, good values, discipline, and respect for teachers.
Jain Cosmology and Geography:
- Jain Bhugol (Jain Geography): Explains the Jain understanding of the universe, including the urdhvaloka (upper realms), madhyaloka (middle realm), and adholoka (lower realms). It details the structure of the universe with its numerous islands and oceans, focusing on Jambudvipa and its seven regions, including Bharatakshetra where Earth is situated. It also clarifies that Earth is stationary and the sun revolves around Mount Meru.
Sacred Scriptures and Practices:
- Sutra Vibhag (Sections of Sutras): Provides the text and a brief explanation of essential Jain sutras like Iriyavahiyam Sutra, Tassa Uttari Sutra, Annath Sutra, Logass Sutra, Karemi Bhante Sutra, and Samaiya Vaya-Jutto Sutra. These are fundamental prayers and recitations for cleansing oneself of karmic impurities and for performing Samayika (a spiritual observance).
- Pachakkhan (Vows): Explains the process of taking vows, specifically Chauvihar (abstaining from all four types of food) and Tivihar (abstaining from three types of food), and the detailed procedure for observing Samayika.
Moral Stories (Kahani Vibhag): The book includes inspiring stories of exemplary Jain figures to illustrate moral lessons:
- Shri Aimutta Muni: Teaches the importance of purity of heart and sincere repentance.
- Muni Gajasukumal: Highlights the virtue of unwavering commitment to one's goals, even in the face of adversity.
- Shri Meghrath Raja: Emphasizes the principle that acts of peace and compassion return manifold.
- Shri Kapardi Mantri: Illustrates the importance of steadfastness in one's principles and the courage to defend them.
- Mata-Pita Ka Vinay: Reinforces the duty of respecting and serving parents, and how such actions can transform others.
Interactive Learning:
- Prashnottari (Question and Answer): Includes fill-in-the-blanks, true/false questions, matching exercises, one-word answers, and multiple-choice questions to test the reader's understanding.
- General Knowledge: Features poems related to Tirthankaras, a matching game, illustrations, and cautionary tales about the consequences of wrong actions.

In essence, "Jain Tattva Darshan Part 02" is a comprehensive educational resource designed to impart the foundational principles, practices, and ethical teachings of Jainism to young learners, fostering a sense of faith, moral responsibility, and spiritual understanding.