Jina Vachan - Book Summary | JainGPT

This Jain text, titled "Jina Vachan" and compiled and translated by Dr. Ramanlal C. Shah, is a collection of teachings attributed to Bhagavan Mahavir. Published by Shri Mumbai Jain Yuvak Sangh, it presents original verses in Ardhamagadhi with translations in English, Hindi, and Gujarati. The book, first published in February 1995, has undergone several editions and revisions.

The text is a compilation of important verses from various Jain scriptures, including:

Dharmamangal: This section emphasizes that religion is supremely auspicious, with non-violence, self-control, and penance being its core components. Even gods bow to those whose minds are always engaged in practicing religion.
On Actions: It advises to immediately withdraw from any irreligious act, whether done knowingly or unknowingly, and to ensure it is not repeated.
On Listening and Knowing: The importance of listening to scriptures to understand what is good and what is sinful is highlighted, urging the practice of what is beneficial.
On Non-violence: It stresses not to kill any living beings, whether animate or inanimate, knowingly or unknowingly, and not to cause them to be killed.
On Virtues and Vices: The text differentiates between monks and non-monks based on virtues and vices, encouraging the development of virtues and renunciation of vices. It also points to self-knowledge and equanimity in attachment and hatred as virtues worthy of respect.
On Speech: It cautions against hurtful words, comparing them to sharp nails that cause lasting pain and create enmity. It advises against speaking words that are true but not worth speaking, a mixture of truth and untruth, or untrue words. Wise men should use language that is sinless, delicate, unambiguous, and well-thought-out.
On Renunciation: True renunciation is defined not by circumstances preventing enjoyment but by voluntarily turning away from and renouncing pleasing and dear objects of enjoyment.
On the Desire to Live: The text states that all living beings desire to live and nobody likes to die, hence the importance of refraining from the sin of killing.
On Truthfulness: It emphasizes not lying, even for self-benefit or for others, if it leads to violence. Speaking seemingly untruthful words is also considered a sin.
On Greed: Greed is described as growing with gain, and it's noted that even immense wealth cannot satisfy the greedy, as desire is endless like the sky.
On Sensuous Pleasures: These pleasures are depicted as providing temporary happiness but long-term suffering, being a hindrance to liberation and a mine of misfortunes.
On the Body and Soul: The body is compared to a boat, the soul to a navigator, and the worldly life to an ocean that great sages cross.
On the Five Great Vows: The practice of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possessiveness is presented as essential for learned monks to follow the path of the Jinas.
On Knowledge, Faith, Character, and Penance: These four are described as the path leading to a good destiny.
On Self-Control: The text stresses the importance of self-restraint and self-conquest as the greatest victory, more so than defeating external enemies.
On Time: It reminds readers that time, like passing nights, does not return, and religious actions make one's time successful.
On the Self as Creator: The soul is presented as the creator of both happiness and unhappiness, and one's own friend or enemy depending on the path taken.
On Restraining the Self: The self is considered the most difficult to restrain, but restraining it leads to happiness in this world and the next.
On Difficult Attainments: Human birth, hearing scriptures, faith in religion, and the strength to practice self-control are highlighted as rare and valuable.
On the Cycle of Birth and Death: The text explains how attachment and hatred lead to karma, which in turn causes birth and death, leading to suffering. Delusion and desire are seen as a cyclical cause of suffering.
On the Path to Moksha: Serving teachers and elders, staying away from the ignorant, studying scriptures, meditating on their meaning, staying in solitude, and being patient are identified as the path to liberation.
On Abstinence: Abstinence from violence, untruth, theft, sexual indulgence, possession, and night-eating is presented as a way to prevent new sins.
On Purity and Straightforwardness: Straightforwardness leads to purity, which in turn leads to steadfastness in religion and ultimately to supreme emancipation.
On Wisdom and Non-violence: The essential characteristic of a wise man is his non-killing nature, and non-killing with equality for all beings is the core of religion.
On the Difficulties of Practice: The text acknowledges the challenges of practicing restraint, the lack of taste in worldly pleasures, and the difficulty of achieving monkhood, especially in youth or for the weak.
On the Impermanence of Life: Life is described as transient, and the text urges against carelessness, highlighting the fragility of the body and the inevitability of death.
On the Nature of Greed and Desire: Greed is portrayed as insatiable, and desire is endless.
On the Consequences of Sinful Actions: Accumulating wealth through sinful deeds, engaging in deceit, and harboring anger, pride, greed, and hatred are shown to lead to suffering and negative consequences.
On the Importance of Conduct: Praising oneself and condemning others, engaging in sinful acts, and being attached to the body and worldly pleasures lead to misery.
On Discipline: The importance of obedience, attentiveness to the guru's teachings, and avoiding irrelevant conversations are emphasized for disciples.
On the Qualities of a Monk: Monks are described as free from possessiveness, ego, and attachment, maintaining equanimity towards all beings, controlling their senses, and avoiding sinful activities.
On the Fruits of Conquest: Conquering anger leads to forgiveness, conquering ego to tenderness, conquering deceit to straightforwardness, and conquering greed to contentment.
On the Nature of Wealth and Relationships: Wealth, animals, and relatives are temporary, and true refuge is not found in them.
On Renouncing Worldly Desires: Knowing that life is impermanent and liberation is the ultimate goal, one should abstain from worldly pleasures.
On the Nature of Truth: Truth is presented as a guiding principle that, when obeyed, helps conquer death.
On Knowledge vs. Ignorance: The text contrasts the wisdom of knowing oneself with the ignorance of those attached to the body and senses, which leads to misery.
On the Cycle of Existence: The text reiterates that one's actions determine one's destiny in the cycle of birth and death.
On the Value of Self-Control: The self-control of even a humble individual is considered superior to great acts of charity by those lacking it.

The book, through these verses, aims to guide individuals towards a righteous and spiritual path, emphasizing ethical conduct, self-discipline, and the ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of birth and death.