Jainagamo Me Shravak Dharm - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Jainagamo me Shravak Dharm" by Hastimal Acharya, focusing on the concept of Shravak Dharma (the conduct of a lay follower):

The text defines Dharma (religion/righteous conduct) as that which helps an soul return to its inherent nature and prevents it from falling. Though the fundamental nature of Dharma is one, it manifests in various forms based on the individual's status, place, and qualifications, much like water is known by different names and forms.

The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita classifies Dharma into two main types: Shruta Dharma (knowledge-based Dharma) and Charitra Dharma (conduct-based Dharma). Charitra Dharma is further divided into Aagar Dharma (household Dharma) and Anaagar Dharma (ascetic Dharma).

Aagar Dharma, meaning household Dharma, is the practice of religion while living within the complexities of a home.
Anaagar Dharma, meaning ascetic Dharma, is the practice of religion after renouncing all worldly possessions and worldly attachments.

Shravak Dharma is another name for Aagar Dharma. A lay follower who worships the renunciate monks and nuns is also called a Shramanopasak or Upasak.

The text mentions that even householders without specific vows are considered Darshan Shravak if they possess right faith. An "Avirat-Samyag-Drishti" (one with right faith but without vows) who is always dedicated to the progress of Jainism and devoted to the four-fold Jain community is also considered an influential Shravak.

Types of Shravaks:

The text outlines three categories of Shravaks based on their adherence to the Dharma:

1. Janyanya Shravak (Inferior Shravak): This category is defined by three essential conditions:

Not killing any mobile (trasa) living being with the intention of harming.
Abstaining from alcohol and meat.
Having complete faith in the Namaskar Mahamantra.

2. Madhyam Shravak (Middle Shravak): These Shravaks are characterized by:

Having faith in God, Guru, and Dharma, and not engaging in major acts of violence.
Abstaining from prohibited foods like alcohol and meat, and possessing virtues such as modesty, compassion, seriousness, and tolerance.
Performing the Shatkarma (six daily duties) and adhering to the Dwadash Vrat (twelve vows).

The Six Daily Duties (Shatkarma):

Deva Bhakti (Devotion to God): The Arhantas, who are free from all defects and omniscient, are the supreme deities for Shravaks. True devotion involves striving towards detachment, renunciation, and equanimity, mirroring the qualities of the Arhants.
Guru Seva (Service to Guru): A Shravak considers true saints (monks and nuns) who are free from violence and worldly possessions as their Gurus. Daily, they visit, bow, receive teachings, and serve them with offerings like food, clothing, and medicine, supporting their ascetic life. The text emphasizes the importance of serving only true Jain ascetics.
Swadhyaya (Self-Study): Since the guidance of a Guru is not always available, self-study of scriptures is crucial. Shravaks should absorb knowledge through contemplation, reflection, and questioning. Studying scriptures makes one knowledgeable about the teachings of the liberated ones (Nirgranth Pravachan).
Sanyam (Restraint): Swadhyaya is enhanced by self-restraint. Shravaks should practice restraint daily to reduce the influence of desires like lust, anger, and greed, and cultivate peace.
Tapa (Austerities): Similar to restraint, householders should also practice some form of austerities daily. Austerities foster tolerance and purify the soul. Abstaining from night meals and indulgences are also considered part of austerity.
Dan (Charity/Giving): Charity and good conduct are the main qualities of a Shravak. They should daily donate their lawfully earned wealth according to time, place, and deserving recipients, just as a healthy body expels waste.

The Twelve Vows (Dwadash Vrat):

The text details the twelve vows accepted by lay followers, originating from Anand Shravak's request to Lord Mahavir for a less rigorous path than asceticism:

Sthal Pranatipata Viraman Vrat (Vow to Abstain from Killing Mobile Beings): To renounce the intentional killing or causing the killing of mobile living beings by thought, word, or deed.
Sthal Mrishavada Viraman Vrat (Vow to Abstain from Gross Untruth): To renounce telling major lies that cause significant harm, such as those related to marriage, property, or deceitful testimony.
Sthal Adattadan Viraman Vrat (Vow to Abstain from Gross Stealing): To renounce major theft, taking stolen goods, or sending goods across borders without permission. This includes honest dealings in weights and measures.
Sva-Dara Santosh Paradara Virvarjan Vrat (Vow of Contentment with One's Own Spouse and Abstinence from Others'): To remain faithful to one's spouse and abstain from extramarital relations. This involves controlling desires and choosing environments that don't encourage them.
Ichha Pariman Vrat (Vow of Limiting Desires/Possessions): To limit one's desires for wealth, land, and cattle, understanding wealth as a means for fulfilling needs, not the ultimate goal of life.
Digvrata (Vow of Directional Limitation): To limit travel in all six directions to prevent excessive worldly involvement and attachment to possessions, thus reducing greed.
Upabhoga-Paribhog Pariman Vrat (Vow of Limiting Enjoyment and Use): To limit the consumption and use of food, drinks, and other materials to curb the root of violence and greed.
Anarthadanda Viraman Vrat (Vow to Abstain from Unnecessary Sins): To avoid actions that lead to sin without a proper purpose, such as harmful thoughts, negligence, giving dangerous items to unknown people, or promoting sinful activities.
Samayika Vrat (Vow of Equanimity): To cultivate equanimity and a state of non-violence by dedicating a period daily to meditation and detachment from worldly activities, similar to an ascetic.
Deshavakasik Vrat (Vow of Daily Limitation): To voluntarily limit sinful activities on a daily basis, reinforcing existing vows and promoting a regulated life.
Paushadha Upavasa Vrat (Vow of Fasting on Observance Days): To observe fasting on auspicious days (like Chaturthi, Ashtami, Amavasya, Purnima), abstaining from food and worldly activities to strengthen spiritual practice and realize that a peaceful life is possible without sin.
Atithisamvibhaga Vrat (Vow of Hospitality and Sharing with Guests): To share food and other necessities with deserving guests, especially ascetics. This includes offering pure and suitable food, clothing, and medicine, seeing it as a duty. Even in the absence of ascetics, other deserving individuals, or even animals, are to be cared for with compassion.

3. Utkrushta Shravak (Superior Shravak): This represents the highest level of lay practice, involving Padima Sadhana (practice of specific vows/stages). There are eleven Padimas for lay followers, each progressively increasing in austerity and renunciation, moving towards an ascetic lifestyle. These include vows related to right faith, unwavering adherence to vows, daily equanimity, regular fasting, strict celibacy, renunciation of prepared food, renunciation of initiating activities, renunciation of causing others to act, renunciation of food meant for specific purposes, and finally, living like an ascetic within their own community.

The text concludes by stating that through Shravak Dharma, a lay follower gradually moves from being a major worldly doer and possessor to becoming one who is less involved and eventually unattached, progressing towards the goal of attaining their pure, inherent self, like an ascetic. The poem at the end beautifully summarizes the ideal Shravak as one with faith, knowledge, and action, embodying love, justice, politeness, contentment, devotion, self-control, compassion, and a fight against injustice.