Jivan Ka Break Sanyam

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jivan ka Break-Sanyam" (Life's Brake-Restraint) by Acharya Hastimal, based on the provided pages:

The text, "Jivan ka Break-Sanyam," by Acharya Hastimal, emphasizes the crucial role of sanyam (restraint/self-control) and tapa (austerity) as the twin pillars of spiritual sadhana (practice) in Jainism. The core message is that true happiness and spiritual liberation are achieved by controlling one's inner faculties and shedding karmic burdens, not by external pursuits.

The Nature of the Soul and the Purpose of Sadhana:

• Consciousness as the Soul's Innate Quality: The soul's natural quality is consciousness (chetanya), described as a repository of infinite knowledge and perception, a radiant, joyful, pure, spotless, and healthy entity. However, due to ancient karmic coverings, its true nature is obscured, much like the moon is hidden by clouds. The soul's inherent qualities are never destroyed, only temporarily covered. When these karmic coverings are removed, the soul's natural radiance is revealed. Everything the soul can attain is already within it; it needs no external acquisition.
• Sadhana as the Effort to Discover Inner Wealth: The pursuit of external possessions leads to the loss of inner treasures. Those who seek their true wealth renounce even the greatest external riches, becoming truly detached. This effort to reclaim the inner treasure is called sadhana.

The Two Pillars of Sadhana: Sanyam and Tapa:

• Sanyam (Restraint): Lord Mahavir defined sadhana as having two parts: sanyam and tapa. Sanyam is the control of the mind, speech, and body, preventing them from becoming unbridled and causing karmic bondage. Negative thoughts, misuse of speech, and inappropriate actions of the body all lead to the accumulation of karma. Mastering these three is the first aspect of sadhana.
• Tapa (Austerity): While sanyam stops the formation of new karma, tapa is the means to eradicate previously accumulated karma.
  • Tapa is More Than Physical Suffering: Lord Mahavir gave tapas a broad and internal dimension. It's not merely about fasting or enduring physical hardship. While fasting (anashan) and eating less (unodar) help control senses and cravings, true tapas also includes:
    • Giving up certain tastes to control the tongue.
    • Renouncing comforts and pleasures.
    • Studying and contemplating good literature.
    • Focusing the mind inward, abandoning outward-directed tendencies.
    • Concentrating the mind and reducing its restlessness.
    • Selfless service.
    • Humble and respectful behavior.
    • Admitting mistakes and repenting, confessing errors sincerely to elders.
  • Tapas is an essential method for building a noble life.

The Greatness of Life Through Sanyam and Tapa:

• Life's Value is in Restraint: A life that highly values sanyam and tapa becomes truly great. The notion that these are only for ascetics should be dispelled. Both householders and renunciates who desire a pure and happy life must incorporate them. A life devoid of sanyam and tapa is not commendable in any sphere. Even families, societies, and nations are blessed when they embody these principles.
• Sanyam as Life's Brake: Just as a valuable car is useless without brakes, a person without the "brake" of sanyam will only lead their soul to ruin. Sanyam controls the pace of life, preventing new karmic attachments. Tapa destroys past karma. This combination of stopping new bondage and shedding old karma lightens the soul's burden, leading eventually to its pure, unblemished state – liberation (moksha, siddhashila, shuddhashila).

Two Levels of Sadhana: Householder and Ascetic Dharma:

• Two Paths for Different Circumstances: To accommodate human circumstances, the Tirthankaras have prescribed two levels of sadhana:
  1. Simple Sadhana or Householder Dharma (Grihastha Dharma):
  2. Unattached Sadhana or Ascetic Dharma (Muni Dharma/Anagar Dharma):
• Ascetic Dharma (Muni Dharma): This path is for those who have renounced worldly attachments, are prepared for the difficult path of complete renunciation, can withstand hardships, and have developed compassion for all beings. This is a rigorous path, suitable for the strong-willed. While the number of such practitioners has always been small, their devotion, renunciation, and austerity have left an indelible mark on human society, influencing even celestial beings and elevating humanity's moral and religious standing.
• Householder Dharma (Grihastha Dharma): Those unable to follow the ascetic path can practice the householder dharma. The example of Anand Shravak (devotee) is highlighted. Anand dedicated his life to Lord Mahavir, renouncing the path of attachment for the path of detachment. He resolved to worship detached beings, not attached deities, and to uphold the teachings of the Tirthankaras, even rejecting those who deviate from or falsely claim to follow the path of restraint.

Key Principles for Householders and the Importance of Right Understanding:

• Objective Study of Scriptures: Scriptures must be studied with an impartial and objective viewpoint, not to confirm preconceived notions. Misinterpreting scriptures to support personal biases or customs leads to erroneous practices and a distortion of dharma.
• Context is Crucial for Meaning: The meaning of words and verses must be understood within their context. The example of "Saindhavam" (meaning both salt and horse) illustrates how misinterpreting a word based on personal bias (bringing a horse at mealtime instead of salt) demonstrates foolishness. Proper interpretation considers the situation and intent.
• Anand's Resolution of Guiltless Donation: Anand resolved to offer fourteen types of guiltless donations to ascetic monks and nuns, who are the best recipients as they have renounced beginnings and possessions. These donations include food, drink, eatables, mouth fresheners, clothing, vessels, blankets, cleansing cloths (rajoharan), stools, planks, medicines, prepared medicines, bedding, and sleeping mats.
• The Significance of Rajoharan and Shayan: Rajoharan is a cloth for cleaning feet to avoid harming small organisms. Shayan, often understood as a dwelling, also refers to a sleeping apparatus. A "santhara-sanstarak" is a short sleeping mat to prevent excessive sleep, which can hinder sadhana. Brahmacharis should not sleep on thick mattresses, as it can lead to indulgence and impurity.
• The Importance of Medicinal Donations: Donating medicines is also highly meritorious. Medicines (aushadh) are things that nourish and protect. Herbs like ginger, cloves, and Tulsi leaves are considered medicinal and were traditionally used for health.
• Restraint in Diet and Lifestyle: Ancient India practiced significant restraint in diet and lifestyle, leading to fewer illnesses and less reliance on physicians. Animals, living in accordance with nature's laws, are healthier than humans, who often disregard them, leading to nature's retribution. Consuming meat and alcohol is against nature, as the human body is not equipped to digest them. Animals instinctively fast when ill, a natural remedy that humans often fail to follow, being pushed to eat by well-meaning but ignorant family members.
• Avoiding Bad Habits: Bad habits lead to incurable diseases like cancer. Smoking, for instance, is identified as a cause of cancer. Despite knowing this, people continue to indulge, prioritizing their habits over their lives. This misuse of intellect is self-destructive.
• The True Purpose of Tulsi: The primary purpose of planting a Tulsi plant at home is for health benefits, as its leaves are considered medicinal and were widely used in the past.
• Discernment in Donation: Anand's commitment to donating to ascetics doesn't mean he would ignore the needy. The consideration of a recipient's worthiness (patra-apatra) applies to donations given for karmic purification (nirjara). However, when donating out of compassion (anukampa), such distinctions are irrelevant. Helping someone in extreme suffering, even a criminal or a thief, is a meritorious act of compassion.
• Putting Teachings into Practice: Just as Anand absorbed Lord Mahavir's teachings and resolved to implement them in his life, every householder should do the same to achieve well-being in this life and the next.
• Celebrating the "Festival of Liberation": While enjoyable events are part of life, the true and lasting joy comes from creating a "festival of liberation" through spiritual living. There are two kinds of worldly engagements: those that bind karma and those that break it; those that darken the mind and those that purify it. Worldly festivals often awaken desires and vices, leading to suffering and wandering. To escape the cycle of birth and death, one must actively create and participate in the "festival of liberation."