Jjain Tattva Pruchha

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jjain Tattva Pruchha" by Parasmal Chandalia, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Jjain Tattva Pruchha (Jain Tattva Questionnaire) Author: Parasmal Chandalia Publisher: Shamji Velji Virani Sthanakvasi Jain Dharmik Shikshan Sangh

Overall Purpose and Structure:

"Jjain Tattva Pruchha" is a question-and-answer book designed to explain fundamental Jain principles and concepts in a clear and accessible manner. The book focuses on the nine tattvas (categories) of Jainism, presenting them through a series of questions and answers. The primary aim is to facilitate the understanding and study of Jain philosophy, particularly for those seeking to deepen their knowledge of the subject. The text is structured thematically, dedicating sections to each of the nine tattvas, followed by explanations of related concepts like Gunasthanas (stages of spiritual development), Pramana (means of knowledge), Nay (standpoints), Niskhep (classification), and Saptabhangi (theory of sevenfold predications).

Key Themes and Content Summary:

The book systematically guides the reader through the core tenets of Jainism:

1. Jiv Tattva (Soul/Living Being):

• Definition: Explains the soul as that which possesses consciousness (Upayoga), is the bearer of vital energies (dravya-prana and bhava-prana), and experiences happiness and sorrow.
• Pranas (Lifeforce): Details the ten vital forces, including the five senses, three powers (mind, speech, body), breath, and lifespan.
• Main Divisions: Categorizes souls into Samsari (worldly) and Siddha (liberated).
• Samsari Souls: Discusses the four states of existence (Naraka, Tiryan, Manushya, Deva) and the causes leading to them. It elaborates on the classifications of Trasa (mobile) and Sthavara (immobile) souls, including the five types of Ekendriya (one-sensed) beings (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Vegetation) and their various classifications (microscopic, macroscopic, replete, non-replete, etc.).
• Sense Indriyas: Defines and explains the function of senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing) and the mind.
• Four Gatis (Destinies): Details the reasons for birth in Naraka (hell), Tiryan (sub-human), Manushya (human), and Deva (celestial) realms, emphasizing the role of actions and intentions.
• Siddha Souls: Describes liberated souls as those free from birth, death, suffering, karma, and the cycle of transmigration, residing in the Highest Abode (Siddhashila) with infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and power.
• Soul's Nature: Discusses the soul's inherent qualities, its ability to contract and expand its form, its omnipresence within the body, and its fundamental nature as formless (arupi). It clarifies the distinction between Soul as pure (Shuddha) and impure (Ashuddha) states, linking impurity to attachment and aversion.

2. Ajiv Tattva (Non-soul/Inert Matter):

• Definition: Defines Ajiv as anything devoid of consciousness, inert, and incapable of experiencing happiness or sorrow.
• Five Ajiv Dravy (Substances): Explains the five categories of non-living substances:
  • Dharmastikaya: The principle of motion, facilitating movement for souls and other substances.
  • Adharmastikaya: The principle of rest, enabling stationary existence.
  • Akashastikaya: Space, providing room for all substances.
  • Pudgalastikaya: Matter, possessing form, color, taste, smell, and touch, further categorized into Skandha, Skandha-desh, Pradesh, and Paramāṇu (fundamental particles).
  • Kal (Time): The principle of change and temporal existence, facilitating transformation.
• Lok & Alok: Explains the universe (Lok) as the realm containing these substances and the void (Alok) as the space beyond the universe. The structure and dimensions of the Lok are described in detail.
• Pudgal's Attributes: Elaborates on the qualities of matter, including color (five types), smell (two types), taste (five types), and touch (eight types).

3. Punya Tattva (Merit/Virtue):

• Definition: Describes Punya as meritorious actions that purify the soul, lead to happiness, and aid in spiritual progress.
• Types of Punya: Outlines nine ways Punya is acquired, including acts of charity (food, water, shelter, bedding, clothing), and mental/verbal/physical devotion and respect.
• Punya Prakritis (Meritorious Karmic Influxes): Lists 42 types of karmic qualities that lead to positive outcomes, such as pleasant sensations, favorable birth, good physique, beautiful complexion, pleasant smell, sweet taste, gentle touch, etc.

4. Pap Tattva (Demerit/Sin):

• Definition: Defines Pap as actions that stain the soul, bring suffering in the long run, and hinder spiritual progress.
• Eighteen Papasthanas: Lists the eighteen root sins, including the five great vows' transgressions (himsa, untruth, stealing, unchastity, possession), the four kashayas (anger, pride, deceit, greed), and other negative mental states and actions.
• Consequences of Pap: Explains that pap leads to the influx of negative karma, resulting in suffering in various life forms.

5. Asrava Tattva (Influx of Karma):

• Definition: Explains Asrava as the inflow of karma into the soul due to the soul's engagement with worldly passions and activities. It's likened to water entering a pond through channels.
• Five Asravas: Details the five primary causes of karma influx:
  • Mithyatva: False beliefs and wrong perspectives.
  • Avirata: Non-restraint or lack of vows.
  • Pramada: Negligence or heedlessness.
  • Kashaya: Passions (anger, pride, deceit, greed).
  • Yoga: Activities of mind, speech, and body.
• Mithyatva's Types: Elaborates on the 25 types of false beliefs.
• Kashaya's Nature: Explains how kashayas defile the soul and lead to karma.
• Yoga's Role: Discusses how mind, speech, and body activities (Yoga) contribute to karma.

6. Samvara Tattva (Cessation of Karma Influx):

• Definition: Describes Samvara as the stopping of karma inflow, likened to building a dam to prevent water from entering a pond. This is achieved through restraining Asrava.
• Two Types: Differentiates between Dravyā-samvara (external restraint) and Bhava-samvara (internal mental restraint).
• Key Practices: Highlights practices like Samyak-darshan (right faith), vows (vratas), restraint from negligence (apramada), control of passions (akashaya), and righteous activities (shubha-yoga).
• Specific Practices: Details the twenty Samvara practices, including the five Samitis (careful conduct), three Guptis (restraint of mind, speech, and body), and overcoming the twenty-two types of Parishahas (hardships). It also covers the ten Lakshanas of Jain conduct (Dharma) and the twelve Bhavanas (meditations).

7. Nirjara Tattva (Shedding of Karma):

• Definition: Explains Nirjara as the process of eradicating accumulated karma from the soul. It's likened to washing away dirt from clothes.
• Two Types of Austerities (Tapa):
  • Bahya Tapa (External Austerities): Six types: Fasting (Anashana), controlling desires (Unodari), begging for alms (Bhikshacharyā), renouncing certain tastes (Rasaparit_yāga), enduring physical hardship (Kāyakleśa), and renouncing attachment to the body (Vyutsarga).
  • Ābhyāntara Tapa (Internal Austerities): Six types: Penance (Prāyashchitta), humility (Vinaya), service (Vaiyāvṛttya), study (Svādhyāya), meditation (Dhyāna), and non-attachment (Vyutsarga).
• Detailed Explanation of Tapa: Provides detailed explanations of various forms of external and internal austerities, including the conditions and benefits of each.

8. Bandha Tattva (Bondage of Karma):

• Definition: Explains Bandha as the process by which karma particles attach to the soul due to its activities (Yoga) driven by passions (Kashaya).
• Eight Karmas: Details the eight types of karma:
  • Ghati Karmas (Destructive Karmas): Jnana-avaraniya (knowledge-obscuring), Darshana-avaraniya (perception-obscuring), Mohaniya (delusion-causing), and Antaraya (obstruction). These directly obscure the soul's inherent qualities.
  • Aghati Karmas (Non-destructive Karmas): Ayushya (lifespan), Nama (name/body-forming), Gotra (social status), and Vedaniya (feeling/sensation). These affect the soul's external manifestation.
• Karma's Mechanics: Explains how karma particles (pudgalas) attach, their different types (Prakriti, Sthiti, Anubhaga, Pradesha Bandha), and the role of passions and activities in the bonding process. It also discusses the duration (Sthiti) and intensity (Anubhaga) of karma.
• Vargana (Subtle Matter Bodies): Describes the eight types of subtle matter bodies that contribute to karma formation.

9. Moksha Tattva (Liberation):

• Definition: Defines Moksha as the state of complete liberation from all karma and the cycle of birth and death, leading to the soul's realization of its inherent infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and power.
• Path to Moksha: Emphasizes the "Three Jewels" (Triratna) as the means to achieve Moksha:
  • Samyak-darshan (Right Faith): Correct belief in the true nature of the soul, non-soul, merits, demerits, influx, cessation, liberation, and the infallibility of Jain teachings and Tirthankaras.
  • Samyak-gyan (Right Knowledge): Accurate and complete understanding of the Tattvas and Jain principles.
  • Samyak-charitra (Right Conduct): Living according to the vows and ethical principles prescribed by the Tirthankaras, involving restraint of passions and activities.
  • Samyak-tapa (Right Austerity): Practicing austerities to shed accumulated karma.
• Stages of Spiritual Development (Gunasthana): Explains the fourteen progressive stages of spiritual development that a soul undergoes on its path to liberation.
• Pramana, Nay, Niskhep, Saptabhangi: Discusses these epistemological tools of Jain philosophy used to understand the complex reality of existence.
• Siddha State: Describes the characteristics of liberated souls (Siddhas) as eternal, formless, supremely blissful, omniscient beings residing in the Siddhashila at the apex of the universe.

Overall Tone and Presentation:

The book adopts a didactic and explanatory tone, aiming to educate the reader. The question-and-answer format makes it easy to digest complex philosophical ideas. The language used is Gujarati, and the summary is based on the Gujarati text. The text is intended for personal and private use within the Jain educational framework.

This summary covers the core informational content presented across the provided pages, highlighting the book's structured approach to explaining the fundamental principles of Jainism.