Jivajivabhigama Sutra Part 01 - Book Summary

This document is the first part of the "Jivajivabhigama Sutra" (जीवजीवाभिगम सूत्र), a significant Jain text. Here'Dharmagranthas, a comprehensive summary of the provided text:

Overall Purpose and Context:

The text is presented as the 106th jewel in the "Shri Akhil Bharatiya Sudharm Jain Sanskriti Ratnamala" publication series, aimed at preserving and disseminating Jain scriptures. It's published by the "Akhil Bharatiya Sudharm Jain Sanskriti Rakshak Sangh, Jodhpur." The catalog link provided leads to a digital archive of Jain texts.

Key Themes and Content:

The "Jivajivabhigama Sutra" is identified as the third Upanga (part of the Jain Agamas). Its core focus, as indicated by the title "Jivajivabhigama," is the knowledge or science of Jiva (soul/living beings) and Ajiva (non-living entities). The text emphasizes that all existing things in the universe can be categorized as either Jiva or Ajiva.

Author and Authenticity:

The text clarifies that the Jivajivabhigama Sutra was authored by Sthavira Bhagavantas (elder monks) who were disciples of the omniscient Tirthankaras. Their statements are considered authentic because they are based on the teachings of the Tirthankaras, who are Vitarags (free from passions) and Sarvajna (omniscient). The text highlights the meticulous adherence of these elder monks to the Tirthankara's teachings, ensuring no contradiction or flaw in their compositions.

Structure and Scope:

Classification of Agamas: The text briefly touches upon the classification of Jain Agamas into Angas (main scriptures) and Anga Bahya (external scriptures), and further into Anga, Upanga, Moola, and Chheda categories.
Jivajivabhigama's Place: It is specifically identified as the third Upanga, and its author is stated to be Sthavira Bhagavantas.
Nine Pratipattis (Sections): The "Jivajivabhigama Sutra" is structured into nine sections or "Pratipattis." The first section deals with both Jiva and Ajiva, while the remaining eight sections focus extensively on Jiva.
Fundamental Reality: The fundamental reality of the universe is presented as Jiva and Ajiva. Other concepts like Punya (merit), Papa (demerit), Asrava (influx of karmas), Samvara (stoppage of karmas), Bandha (bondage of karmas), and Moksha (liberation) are considered mere results of the union and separation of these two fundamental principles.
Importance of Self-Knowledge: The text underscores the centrality of the soul (Atma) in Jain philosophy. It stresses the importance of knowing the true nature of the soul, which leads to understanding the universe (Loka) and karma. Such knowledge leads to right conduct (Kriyavada) and ultimately to liberation.
Jain Philosophy on Jivas: Jainism uniquely posits the existence of souls not only in mobile beings (Trasa) but also in immobile beings (Sthavara) like earth, water, fire, air, and plants. It mandates the protection of all these life forms, emphasizing the principle of Ahimsa (non-violence).
Detailed Analysis of Jivas: The first Pratipatti describes the classification of worldly beings (Samsari Jivas) based on various criteria like Gati (destination), Jati (species), Indriya (sense organs), Kaya (body), Yoga (activity), Upayoga (consciousness), etc., covering 23 aspects ("dwaras") for each category.

Content of the First Pratipatti (Detailed Breakdown):

The summary then proceeds to detail the content of each of the nine sections:

First Pratipatti (Dwividhaakhya - Twofold): Deals with the classification of worldly beings into Trasa (mobile) and Sthavara (immobile).
- Sthavara are further classified into Prithvikayika (earth-bodied), Apkayika (water-bodied), and Vanaspatikayika (plant-bodied).
- Trasa are described as having two types of movement: Gati Trasa (trasa due to movement) and Labdhi Trasa (trasa due to specific karmic disposition). Fire-bodied and air-bodied are considered Gati Trasa but not Labdhi Trasa. Truly Labdhi Trasa are beings from two-sensed to five-sensed.
- It explains the concept of consciousness in Sthavara beings and addresses the question of how they experience suffering without sensory organs.
- It details 23 aspects for each of the 24 Dandakas (categories of beings), including body, location, strength, form, passions, senses, consciousness, sustenance, lifespan, origin, state, death, migration, etc.
Second Pratipatti (Trividhaakhya - Threefold): Classifies worldly beings based on "Veda" (sexuality) into stri-veda (female), purusha-veda (male), and napumsaka-veda (neuter). It discusses their status, lifespan, inter-relationships, and the karmic causes for their existence, describing the experience of these vedas in vivid terms.
Third Pratipatti (Chaturvidhaakhya - Fourfold): Divides worldly beings into four categories: Nairayika (hell beings), Tiryanchayonika (animal realm beings), Manushya (humans), and Deva (celestial beings). It provides extensive details about the seven hells, the characteristics of hell beings, the various realms of animals (from ekendriya to panchendriya), humans (karma-bhumi, akarma-bhumi, and antar-dveepa), and celestials (Bhavanavasi, Vyantar, Jyotishka, Vaimanika). It also details the cosmology of continents and oceans.
Fourth Pratipatti (Panchavidhaakhya - Fivefold): Classifies worldly beings from ekendriya to panchendriya and discusses their minimum and maximum lifespans and relative population (Alpabahutva).
Fifth Pratipatti (Shadvidhaakhya - Sixfold): Divides beings into Prithvikayika, Apkaya, Teukaya, Vayukaya, Vanaspatikaya, and Trasa kaya, discussing their lifespans, relative populations, and inter-relationships. It also includes descriptions of Nigoda beings.
Sixth Pratipatti (Saptavidhaakhya - Sevenfold): Classifies beings into seven categories: Nairayika, Tiryan-yonika (male and female), Manushya (male and female), and Deva (male and female), discussing their lifespans and relative populations.
Seventh Pratipatti (Ashtavidhaakhya - Eightfold): Divides beings based on their time of existence: Nairayika of the first moment, Nairayika of subsequent moments, similarly for Tiryan, Manushya, and Deva. It discusses their lifespans and relative populations.
Eighth Pratipatti (Navavidhaakhya - Ninefold): Classifies beings into five Sthavara (Prithvikayika to Vanaspatikaya) and four Trasa (Beindriya to Panchendriya), detailing their lifespans and relative populations.
Ninth Pratipatti (Dashavidhaakhya - Tenfold): Divides beings into ten categories: Ekendriya of the first moment, Ekendriya of subsequent moments, similarly for Beindriya, Teindriya, Chaturindriya, and Panchendriya. It discusses their lifespans and relative populations.

Significance of the Text:

The text is described as a "treasure of knowledge" (jnana-kosa) and a "dictionary of knowledge" (vidya-kosa) for understanding the nuances of all life forms. It is compared to a powerful mantra for removing the poison of attachment, a lake to quench the fire of aversion, the sun to dispel the darkness of ignorance, and a bridge to cross the ocean of existence. The study of this Agama is considered crucial for guiding one's present life towards spiritual progress and avoiding rebirths in lower realms.

Publication Details:

The summary also includes details about the publication, acknowledging the support of individuals and organizations like Shri Jaswantlal Bhai Shah of Mumbai. It mentions the value of the book and its printing details, indicating a third edition.

Overall Impression:

The provided text is a detailed introduction to the "Jivajivabhigama Sutra," outlining its structure, philosophical underpinnings, and the comprehensive nature of its analysis of the Jiva and Ajiva categories within the Jain cosmology. It serves as a foundational text for understanding the principles of Jain ontology and the intricate classification of life forms.