Jinsutra Lecture 54 Shat Pardo Ki Oat Me - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of Osho Rajnish's lecture "Jinsutra Lecture 54 Shat Pardo ki Oat me" (Lecture 54 of Jinsutra: Behind Seven Veils), which focuses on the seven veils of Jainism, specifically exploring the characteristics of different "leshya" (hues or dispositions of the soul).

The lecture delves into the concept that individuals are responsible for their own state of being, whether it be suffering or happiness. It emphasizes that external factors or beings do not bind or liberate us; it is our own thoughts, attachments, and aversions that create these conditions. The lecture draws heavily on Jain philosophy, particularly the teachings of Mahavir, and uses illustrative examples and stories to explain these profound concepts.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and the descriptions of the seven veils (though the lecture primarily focuses on the initial ones in detail):

Core Philosophy:

Self-Responsibility: The central tenet is that "man is as he thinks." Our thoughts, past and present, shape our reality. We are the creators of our own bondage and liberation.
The Illusion of External Cause: No one else binds or liberates us. Our own internal states – desires, aversions, thoughts – are the true chains.
The Nature of Suffering: Suffering arises from our own mental processes, particularly from our attachments and the resulting desires and aversions.
The Path to Liberation: Liberation comes from cessation of thought, from a state of "nirvichara" (thoughtlessness). By stopping the mental "knots" of thought, the illusions dissolve.

The Seven Veils (Leshya):

The lecture discusses the seven veils, which represent different states of consciousness or "hues" of the soul. The primary focus is on the initial, darker veils, explaining their characteristics and how they obscure true vision.

Krishna Leshya (Black/Dark Veil):
- Characteristics: Fierceness of nature, intense anger, strong knots of animosity, quarrelsome disposition, lack of religion and compassion, wickedness, inability to be reasoned with even by explanation.
- Osho's Elaboration: This veil is like an internal darkness that one cultivates. It's not about external darkness, but an inner state. Anger becomes a habit, a shadow. Even in solitude, such a person radiates anger. The root cause is an inflated ego and a constant need to prove oneself, often through destructive actions. The lecture highlights how often we react with anger and violence even to inanimate objects, indicating a deep-seated habit. It's also linked to holding onto grudges from past hurts.
Neel Leshya (Blue/Dark Blue Veil):
- Characteristics: Dullness of intellect, lack of knowledge, attachment to worldly pleasures.
- Osho's Elaboration: This veil is characterized by a lack of sharp intellect, being ignorant, and being excessively attached to sensory gratification. It's a state of mental inertia and a focus on fleeting pleasures. This also leads to an inability to recognize one's own flaws and a resistance to learning or improvement.
Kapota Leshya (Pigeon-Grey Veil):
- Characteristics: Quick to get angry, criticizes others, blames others frequently, filled with fear and anxiety, disregards right and wrong.
- Osho's Elaboration: This veil is marked by a tendency towards negativity, always finding fault with others. Fear and anxiety are pervasive, leading to a distorted perception of reality and an inability to discern ethical actions. The fear stems from the constant, often irrational, anxieties about future events or perceived threats.
Tejo Leshya (Fire-Red/Yellowish Veil):
- Characteristics: Understands right and wrong, neutral towards all, free from attachment and aversion, charitable and giving, friendly.
- Osho's Elaboration: This is a stage of growing awareness. The person begins to understand ethical principles and develops a more balanced perspective. They are less driven by extreme emotions and are more inclined towards generosity and kindness. This represents a significant step towards clarity.
Padma Leshya (Lotus-Pink Veil):
- Characteristics: Generous, good, pure, honest, endures hardships, devoted to worshipping saints and gurus.
- Osho's Elaboration: This veil signifies a highly virtuous state. Generosity, purity of conduct, honesty, and devotion to spiritual guides are prominent. Such individuals can tolerate difficulties and are dedicated to spiritual practices. They embody qualities of inner strength and spiritual aspiration.
Shukla Leshya (White Veil):
- Characteristics: Makes no partiality, is impartial, free from attachments and aversions, compassionate towards all.
- Osho's Elaboration: This is the stage of pure impartiality and detachment. The individual sees all beings equally, without favoritism. True compassion and freedom from worldly desires characterize this state. They have transcended the dualities of like and dislike.
Param Shukla Leshya (Purest White Veil):
- Characteristics: (Implied) The highest state of purity, enlightenment, omniscience, and liberation.
- Osho's Elaboration: While not explicitly detailed in the provided text, this represents the ultimate goal, a state of complete purity and awareness.

Key Examples and Anecdotes:

The Angry Man and the Shoes: A Sufi mystic, Bokeju, teaches a man who brought his anger with him that he must apologize to the shoes he kicked and bow to them. This emphasizes that anger, when habitual, extends even to inanimate objects, signifying a deep-seated issue.
The Couple and the Ties: A wife buys two ties for her husband. The husband's reaction to the second tie sparks a quarrel, highlighting how even seemingly small things can escalate due to underlying resentments and habitual reactions.
Hitler's Art Ambition: Osho suggests that Hitler's destructive tendencies might have stemmed from his unfulfilled artistic aspirations. This illustrates how creative energy, if not channeled constructively, can manifest as destruction.
The Four Frogs and the Log: This parable illustrates how different perspectives on the same reality can lead to conflict. When one frog describes the log as "living," another as "ordinary," and a third as the "river carrying the log," they get into an argument, ultimately pushing the observant fourth frog into the river. This highlights how our interpretations and arguments based on partial truths (an "ansh satya") can obscure the larger reality. Mahavir's perspective is presented as the "syadvada" (multi-sidedness of truth), where all perspectives can contain a part of the truth.
The Beggar and the Alms: Giving alms out of pity or for show is contrasted with true generosity. The act of giving should be from a place of genuine abundance and a desire to share, not from a sense of superiority or to alleviate one's own discomfort.
The Empty Bowl: The gold bowl, having passed through many hands, represents the external world and its transient possessions. The true treasure is the inner consciousness, which is unattached and cannot be stolen.
The Value of Silence: H.G. Wells' observation that most arguments would cease if people remained silent underscores the power of words to create conflict.

The "Seven Veils" Concept:

The lecture frames these different states of consciousness as "veils" that cover our true nature. The darker leshyas are thick veils that prevent us from seeing the truth, while the lighter ones are thinner, allowing more clarity. The journey is about gradually shedding these veils to reveal the pure, radiant soul.

The Importance of Observation and Self-Awareness:

Osho repeatedly stresses the importance of observing oneself and others. By observing how others react, we can begin to recognize similar patterns within ourselves. He encourages introspection, asking questions like: "Why did I get angry?" "What is the real reason for my actions?" This self-inquiry is crucial for dismantling the veils.

Conclusion:

The lecture is a profound exploration of the human psyche from a Jain philosophical perspective. It emphasizes that true liberation is an internal journey of self-awareness, self-responsibility, and the gradual shedding of negative dispositions and attachments. By understanding the characteristics of these "veils," individuals can begin to identify their own obscurations and work towards a state of pure, unadulterated consciousness.