JES 401 Jain Philosophy And Practice 2 Level 4 Book

The document titled "JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE - 2 (JAINA Education Series 401 - Level 4 Book)" compiled by the JAINA Education Committee is a comprehensive educational resource on Jainism. It aims to provide a detailed understanding of Jain philosophy and its practical application for students at a Level 4 educational stage.

Here's a summary of its key aspects:

Purpose and Audience:

• The book is dedicated to promoting religious awareness, non-violence, reverence for life, environmental protection, and compassionate interdependence among young Jains and Jain Päthashälä teachers.
• It targets Level 4 students and aims to be a resource for all ages.
• It is intended for personal and private use, with a respectful approach to religious material encouraged.

Core Jain Principles and Concepts Covered:

The book systematically covers a wide range of Jain philosophy and practice, organized into several major sections:

1. Jain Fundamentals:

   • Concept of God and Universe: Jainism does not believe in a creator God but venerates Jinas (Tirthankaras) as perfected, omniscient beings who have attained liberation through their own efforts. The universe is considered eternal and self-regulated.
   • Pancha Parmeshtis: Details the five supreme beings – Arihantas, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyays, and Sadhus/Sadhvis – outlining their attributes and the significance of the Navakar Mahamantra.
   • Religion (Dharma) and its Significance: Defines Dharma as the inherent nature of a substance, with the purity of the soul being the essence of life. It emphasizes right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct as the path to liberation.

2. Jain Conduct:

   • Moksha Märg (Path of Liberation): Explains the "Three Jewels" (Ratna-trayi) – Samyag Darshan (Right Faith), Samyag Jnän (Right Knowledge), and Samyag Charitra (Right Conduct) – as the core path to liberation. It also discusses the soul's journey through various stages of existence prior to attaining Samyaktva.
   • Vrata (Vows): Differentiates between the five Mahavratas (major vows) for ascetics (Sadhus/Sadhvis) and the five Anu-vratas (minor vows) for laypeople (Shravaks/Shravikas), along with supporting (Guna) and disciplinary (Shiksha) vows, and the Sanlekhana Vrata.
   • Panchächär (Five Codes of Conduct): Details the five codes: Jnänächär (Right Knowledge), Darshanächär (Right Faith), Chariträchär (Right Conduct), Tapächär (Austerities), and Viryächär (Vigor/Energy).
   • Practicability of Ahimsa: Explores the concept of Ahimsa (non-violence) in its physical (Dravya) and mental (Bhava) forms, macro (Sthul) and micro (Sukshma) aspects, and its application through vegetarianism, rejection of dairy and eggs, and ethical considerations regarding animal cruelty and ecological impact.
   • Virtues: Elaborates on essential virtues like Kshamä (Forgiveness), Vinay (Humility), Saralatä (Straightforwardness), and Santosh (Contentment), explaining their significance and methods of cultivation.
   • Bhävanäs (Reflections/Contemplations): Explains the twelve primary reflections (Anuprekshä) and four compassionate reflections (Maitri, Pramod, Karuna, Mädhyastha) that aid in spiritual progress and detachment.
   • Jain Concept of Devotion (Bhakti/Prayer): Defines prayer not as appeasing a creator God, but as adoration of the virtues of the Pancha Parmesthis and a desire to emulate them.
   • Swadhyay (Study of Self): Emphasizes the importance of introspection and self-study as a means to purify the soul and gain right knowledge.
   • Dhyana (Meditation): Explains the different types of meditation (Ärta, Raudra, Dharma, Shukla) and their role in spiritual progress, leading to liberation.

3. Jain Philosophy:

   • Tripadi (Utpad, Vyaya, Dhrauvya): Explains the concept of origination, destruction, and permanence of substances, highlighting the interplay of Dravya (substance), Guna (quality), and Paryaya (mode).
   • Shad Dravya (Six Universal Substances): Details the six eternal and fundamental substances of the universe: Jiva (soul), Pudgal (matter), Dharma (medium of motion), Adharma (medium of rest), Äkasha (space), and Käl (time), including their subcategories and attributes.
   • Nava-tattva (Nine Fundamentals): Presents the nine fundamental principles of Jainism that are crucial for understanding Jain philosophy and achieving right faith (Samyaktva): Jiva, Ajiva, Punya, Päp, Äsrava, Bandha, Samvar, Nirjarä, and Moksha.
   • Äsrava (Influx of Karma): Explains the causes of karmic influx, including Mithyätva (false belief), Avirati (vowlessness), Pramada (negligence), Kashaya (passions), and Yoga (activities).
   • Bandha (Characteristics of Bondage of Karma): Discusses how Karma particles attach to the soul, the four aspects of bondage (Nature, Quantity, Duration, Intensity), and the eight types of Karma (Ghäti and Aghäti).
   • Samvar (Prevention of Karma): Details the process of stopping the influx of Karma through Samyaktva, Vratas, Apramada, Akashaya, and Ayoga, along with the six major types of Samvar (Samitis, Guptis, Yati-dharma, Bhavanas, Parishaha-jay, Charitra).
   • Nirjarä and Moksha (Eradication and Liberation): Explains Nirjarä as the shedding of Karma through austerities (Tapa) and the ultimate goal of Moksha, the liberation of the soul from the cycle of birth and death, describing the different paths and stages of spiritual development (Gunasthänas).
   • Theory of Karma: Provides a detailed explanation of the Karma doctrine, its inevitability, and its role in shaping destiny. It delves into the nature of Karma Pudgal, bondage and separation of karma, Leshyä (states of mind), and the modification of Karma.
   • Punya and Päp (Virtuous and Non-virtuous Karma): Differentiates between virtuous (Punya) and non-virtuous (Päp) karma, their causes, effects, and practical implications, including the fourfold combinations of Punya and Päp.
   • Shad Sthänaka (Six Fundamental Truths): Outlines the six essential truths that form the basis of right faith in Jainism: Soul exists, Soul is eternal, Soul is the doer, Soul experiences consequences, Liberation exists, and Means to liberation exist.
   • Fourteen Gunasthäna (Stages of Spiritual Development): Describes the fourteen stages of spiritual progression of the soul, from the lowest state of wrong faith to the highest state of liberated omniscience.
   • Anekäntaväda (Theory of Multiplicity): Explains the core Jain principle of non-absolutism, discussing Pramana (valid knowledge), Naya (partial viewpoints), Nikshepa (analysis of truth), Syädväda (theory of relativity), and Sapta-bhanga (sevenfold predication). It emphasizes tolerance and understanding of multiple perspectives.
   • Five Samaväya (Five Causal Factors): Discusses the five interconnected factors contributing to any event: Käl (Time), Svabhäv (Nature), Niyati (Destiny), Nimitta/Prärabdha (External Circumstances/Karma), and Purushärtha (Self-effort), highlighting the Jain emphasis on Purushärtha.

4. Jain History:

   • Provides an overview of Jainism's legendary antiquity, its presence in prehistoric and historic periods, and the lineage of Tirthankaras.
   • Discusses the historicity of Neminäth and Pärshvanäth, the life and teachings of Bhagawan Mahävir, and Jainism's interaction with Buddhism and Hinduism.
   • Explains the historical development and geographical spread of Jainism within India (East, South, West, North) and its presence in various sub-sects (Shvetämbar and Digambar).
   • Highlights key historical figures like Acharya Bhadrabähu, Chandragupta Maurya, Shrimad Räjchandra, and Känji-swämi.
   • Touches upon the survival of Jainism through challenging times and its adaptation to modern contexts.
   • Mentions Jain contributions to Indian culture in language, literature, arts, philosophy, and ethics.

5. Jain Ägam Literature:

   • Introduces the Jain scriptures known as Agams or Shruta, explaining their importance and compilation process.
   • Details the different recensions (Vächanäs) of Jain literature.
   • Explains the structure of the Agam literature, including the extinct Purvas, the Anga-pravishtha Agams, and Anga-bähya Agams, noting the differences in acceptance among Jain sects.
   • Provides a list and brief description of various Āgams and their subject matter.
   • Discusses the commentaries on the Āgams and the significant non-Agam literature.
   • Highlights key sacred texts like Tattvärtha Sutra, Uttarädhyayan Sutra, and Samaysär.

In essence, "JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE - 2" is a systematic and detailed exploration of the fundamental tenets, ethical codes, philosophical underpinnings, historical development, and scriptural foundation of Jainism, presented in an educational format.