Jainism For Beginners Level 02

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jainism For Beginners Level 02" by Sadhvi Sayampurnashreeji:

Overall Purpose:

This book aims to introduce fundamental Jain principles and practices to beginners, particularly those educated in English. The author, Sadhvi Sayampurnashri, expresses a desire to bridge the language gap that might prevent young generations from understanding their religious heritage. The book is dedicated to the erudite Muni Jambuvijayji Maharajsaheb, and acknowledges inspiration from Acharya Vishwakalyansuriji Maharajsaheb.

Key Themes and Content:

The book covers a wide range of Jain teachings and customs, presented in a clear and accessible manner. The primary sections include:

1. Jain Prayers:

• Prayer of Five Auspicious Entities (Pancha Parameshthi): This prayer invokes the five supreme beings in Jainism: Arihantas (victorious souls), Siddhas (liberated souls), Acharyas (spiritual leaders), Upadhyays (teachers), and Sadhus/Sadhvis (monks and nuns). The prayer highlights their auspiciousness and the blessings they bestow.
• Mangalam Bhagwan Viro: A verse praising Bhagawan Mahavir, Gautam Swami, Acharya Sthulibhadra, and the Jain religion as auspicious.
• Prayer of Saraswati Devi: A prayer to the Goddess of Knowledge (Shrutadevi) for faith and guidance on the right path.
• Prayer – Exercise of Soul: A prayer seeking victory over attachment and hatred, and the attainment of omniscience and liberation from karma.
• Arati: A devotional ritual performed with a lamp, praising Lord Adinath (Rishabhadev) and seeking blessings for spiritual progress and the cessation of suffering.
• Mangal Deevo: An auspicious lamp ritual emphasizing well-being and the removal of obstacles.

2. Basics of Jainism:

• Essence of Jainism: The core principles of Jainism are introduced:
  • Ahimsa (Non-Violence): Reverence for all living beings, understanding that violence can be in thought, word, and deed. Vegetarianism is presented as an expression of compassion.
  • Anekantavada (Non-Absolutism): Understanding truth from various standpoints, promoting tolerance and mutual understanding.
  • Aparigraha (Non-Possessiveness): Respect for the environment through voluntary limits on desires, and the understanding that attachment to material things and people leads to negative emotions.
• Scriptures (Agams): The Jain scriptures, called Agams, are based on Mahavir Swami's teachings and are written in Ardha-Magadhi Prakrit. Other works by scholars also detail Jain principles.
• Ghati Karmas: The four destructive karmas (knowledge-obscuring, perception-obscuring, deluding, and obstacle-creating) that obstruct the soul's true nature. Their destruction leads to omniscience.
• Aghati Karmas: The four non-destructive karmas (feeling, body-structure, status, and lifespan determining) responsible for our worldly experiences. Their destruction leads to liberation (Siddhahood).
• Five Venerable Personalities (Pancha Parameshthis): The Navakar Mantra is explained as a prayer to Arihantas, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyays, and Sadhus/Sadhvis, emphasizing the worship of these beings to purify the soul.

3. Samavasaran:

• The divine religious assembly of Tirthankaras, constructed by heavenly gods. It's a place where humans, animals, and celestial beings gather to listen to the Tirthankara's teachings. The detailed description includes the assembly's layout, decorations, and the importance of attending.

4. Kalyanakas (Five Auspicious Events of a Tirthankar):

• Chyavana Kalyanak (Conception): The soul's conception in the mother's womb, marked by fourteen auspicious dreams.
• Janma Kalyanak (Birth): Celebrations by celestial beings, including the anointing ceremony on Mount Meru.
• Diksha Kalyanak (Initiation): The Tirthankara renounces worldly life and possessions.
• Keval-Jnan Kalyanak (Omniscience): Attaining complete and perfect knowledge after deep meditation.
• Nirvana Kalyanak (Liberation): The soul is liberated from the cycle of birth and death, becoming a Siddha.

5. Ten Rituals of the Temple:

• The book details the respectful conduct within a Jain temple, including wearing clean clothes, bowing to idols, and performing specific rituals.
  • Nissihi (Renunciation): Renouncing worldly thoughts upon entering the temple.
  • Pradakshina (Circumambulation): Circling the idol three times, symbolizing the three jewels of Jainism.
  • Pranam (Salutation): Offering respect through different forms of bowing.
  • Puja (Worship): Including Angapuja (anointing) and Agrapuja (offering).
  • Avstha-Chintan (Contemplation): Reflecting on the states of Arihantas (Pindastha, Padastha, Rupatita).
  • Dishatyag (Concentration): Focusing solely on the idol.
  • Pramarjana (Cleaning): Gently cleaning the ground before sitting.
  • Alambana (Mental Support): Focusing on the Lord, sutras, and their meanings.
  • Mudras (Postures): Specific hand gestures for meditation.
  • Pranidhana (Meditative State): Engaging mind, speech, and body in worship.
• Precautions: Emphasizes respecting idols and avoiding certain materials like silk and leather.

6. Ten Festivals:

• Paryushan Parva: An eight-day festival focused on shedding karmas, self-study, and suppressing passions. The key activities include fasting, reciting the Kalpa Sutra, and performing Pratikraman.
• Samvatsari: The final day of Paryushan, dedicated to seeking and extending forgiveness.
• Mahavir Janma-Kalyanak: The birth anniversary of Bhagwan Mahavir, celebrated with cultural activities.
• Diwali: Celebrated as the anniversary of Mahavir-Swami's attainment of Moksha, symbolizing the lighting of inner lamps through right faith, knowledge, and conduct.
• New Year: Commemorating Gautam Swami's attainment of Keval-Jnan.
• Jnan Panchami: A day for worshipping knowledge, cleaning scriptures, and honoring educational materials.
• Bhai Beej: A festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters.
• Navapad Oli: A nine-day period of semi-fasting to meditate upon the Navapada (five supreme beings, knowledge, faith, conduct, and penance).
• Kartik Poornima: Marks the end of Chaturmas and is a significant day for pilgrimages.
• Maun Ekadashi: A day for observing silence and austerities.
• Varshitap: The completion of a year-long austerity.
• Paush Dashami: The birthday of Bhagwan Parshwanath, observed with fasting.

7. Jain Ascetics (Sadhus & Sadhvis):

• Maha Vrata (Five Great Vows): Absolute non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possession.
• Special Rules of Conduct: Restrictions on eating and drinking times.
• Gochari (Alms): Collecting food from various households to avoid violence and attachment.
• Yatra (Travel): Traveling barefoot and avoiding vehicles to prevent harming insects.
• Clothing: Wearing unstitched or minimally stitched white cotton clothes.
• Titles: Explains titles like Acharya, Upadhyay, Panyas, Ganipad, and Pravartini, signifying spiritual attainment and responsibility.

8. Jain Householders (Shravaks & Shravikas):

• Twelve Vows: Five limited vows (Anuvratas), three merit vows (Gunavratas), and four disciplinary vows (Shikshavratas).
  • Anuvratas: Limited non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, and non-attachment.
  • Gunavratas: Limited area of activity, limited use of consumables/non-consumables, and avoidance of purposeless sins.
  • Shikshavratas: Limited duration of meditation (Samayika), limited duration of activity (Deshavakasika), ascetic's life for a day (Paushadha), and charity (Atithi Samvibhag).
• Samadhi: The attainment of peaceful death through adherence to vows.

9. Spiritual Elevation (The Fourteen Gunasthanaks):

• Explains the fourteen stages of spiritual development, from delusion (Mithyadrishti) to omniscient liberation (Ayogi Kevali), detailing the progress of the soul through conquering passions and karmas.

10. Reflections (Bhavanas):

• Sixteen bhavanas (contemplations) that lead to mental peace and spiritual upliftment, including:
  • Anitya (Transitoriness)
  • Asharan (Refuge)
  • Samsar (Worldly Life)
  • Ekatva (Being Alone)
  • Anyatva (Soul separate from body)
  • Ashuchi (Body is unclean)
  • Ashrav (Renouncing inauspicious propensities)
  • Samvar (Renouncing evils of mind, speech, body)
  • Nirjara (Performing Tapasya)
  • Bodhidurlabh (Faith in Dharma)
  • Lok Swarup (The fourteen lokas)
  • Dharma Swakhyat (Influence of Dharma)
  • Maitri (Amity)
  • Madhyastha (Indifference to wicked)
  • Karuna (Compassion)
  • Pramod (Honoring superiors)

11. Living Values (Compassion & Friendship):

• Emphasizes compassion for all living beings, including animals, and the importance of friendship, highlighting how to deal with hurts and blessings.

12. Stories Preceding Bhagwan Mahavir:

• Bharat and Bahubali: Illustrates the story of two brothers and the importance of overcoming ego and pride.
• King Megharath: A story about supreme sacrifice and compassion for all beings.
• King Shripal & Mayanasundari: Demonstrates the power of faith in Karma and devotion.
• Ilachikumar: Highlights the principle of detachment and the illusion of worldly attachments.
• Monk Kurgadu: Explains the importance of equanimity and understanding Karma, even when facing limitations.
• Gandhars, Acharyas, etc.: Includes biographical accounts of key figures like Indrabhuti Gautam, Sudharma-Swami, Jambu-Swami, Sthulibhadra, Haribhadrasuri, Hemchandracharya, and others, showcasing their spiritual journeys and contributions to Jainism.

Conclusion:

"Jainism For Beginners Level 02" serves as a foundational text for understanding Jainism. It breaks down complex philosophical concepts into digestible lessons, supported by prayers, rituals, festivals, and the lives of revered figures. The book aims to inspire readers to cultivate compassion, detachment, and spiritual awareness in their daily lives.