Kriya Kalap - Book Summary | JainGPT

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Kriya Kalap" by Pannalal Shastri, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Kriya Kalap (क्रिया-कलापः) Author: Pannalal Shastri Publisher: Pannalal Shastri Nature of the Text: This book is described as a text related to the daily and occasional rituals (Nitya Namittentik Kriya) for both monks (Muninām) and lay followers (Shravakāṇām).

Overall Purpose and Content: "Kriya Kalap" aims to compile and explain the various practices and rituals essential for Jain ascetics (monks) and lay followers (shravaks). The text is structured into four chapters, detailing the procedures for daily worship, confession rituals, devotional practices (bhakti), and specific occasional observances. The author emphasizes adherence to ancient Jain scriptures and traditions, while also acknowledging the evolution and variations in practice over time.

Summary by Chapter:

Chapter 1: Nitya Kriya Prayog Vidhi (नित्यक्रियाप्रयोगविधि) - Daily Rituals

Focus: This chapter details the fundamental daily practices for both monks and lay followers.
Key Components:
- Kriti Karma (कृतिकर्म): The text explains the concept of "Kriti Karma," which are actions that help destroy sinful karma. It outlines the seven components of Kriti Karma: proper time (Yogya Kala), proper posture (Yogya Asana), proper place (Yogya Pradesh), proper posture/mudra (Yogya Mudra), proper circling (Yogya Aavart), proper bowing (Yogya Shir), and proper yielding (Yogya Nati).
- Deva Vandan (देव वन्दना) / Samayik (सामायिक): It elaborates on the process of worshipping deities or performing Samayik, including details on the appropriate time of day, location, seating, hand gestures (mudras), the concept of "Aavarta" (repetitions/turnings), bowing (Shira Namaskaram), and prostrations (Nati).
- Scriptural Basis: The author draws upon ancient texts like Mulachar, Charitra Sar, Achar Sar, Angaradharmamrut, Harivanshpuraan, and Padmapuraan to outline the correct procedures.
- Detailed Procedures: The text provides step-by-step instructions for various aspects of worship, including:
  - Entering the temple.
  - Performing circumambulations (pradakshina).
  - Reciting specific stotras (hymns) like Chaitya Bhakti, Pancha Guru Bhakti, and Shanti Bhakti, as stipulated in the scriptures.
  - The debate about the number of Bhaktis to be performed in daily worship (two as per some Agamas, versus the inclusion of more in later compilations).
- Critique of Modern Practices: The author notes that current practices sometimes deviate from the scriptural injunctions and that the expansion of Samayik texts might not always align with the original Agamas, though it might not be inherently harmful.

Chapter 2: Pratikraman Adhyaya (प्रतिक्रमणाध्याय) - Confession and Restitution Rituals

Focus: This chapter deals with the crucial ritual of Pratikraman, which involves confessing and seeking atonement for transgressions.
Key Components:
- Types of Pratikraman: It describes three types:
  - Yati Devsik Ratri Pratikraman (यति देवसिकरात्रि प्रतिक्रमण): Daily Pratikraman for monks.
  - Yati Pakshikadi Pratikraman (यति पाक्षिकादि प्रतिक्रमण): Fortnightly and other periodic Pratikramanas for monks.
  - Shravak Pratikraman (श्रावक प्रतिक्रमण): Pratikraman for lay followers.
- Commentaries: It mentions that detailed and excellent commentaries by Acharya Prabhachandra exist for the Pratikramanas of monks and lay followers.
- Detailed Confessions: The chapter likely includes the scriptural recitations for confessing various types of faults related to the five great vows (Mahavratas), five carefulnesses (Samitis), three guardedness (Guptis), and other practices, with specific recitations for daily (Daivasik) and nightly (Ratri) Pratikraman. The text provides extensive lists of potential transgressions, meticulously detailed in Prakrit and translated/explained.

Chapter 3: Bhakti Adhyaya (भक्त्यध्याय) - Devotional Praises (Bhakti)

Focus: This chapter is dedicated to various devotional hymns and praises (Bhakti) sung to venerate the Tirthankaras and other revered beings.
Key Components:
- Extensive Collection: It includes a wide array of Bhaktis, both short and long, with Sanskrit commentaries provided by Acharya Prabhachandra.
- Specific Bhaktis Mentioned:
  - Samayik Dandak (सामायिक दंडक)
  - Chaturvinshati Stava (चतुर्विंशतिस्तव) - Praises to the 24 Tirthankaras.
  - Eryapatha Vishuddhi (ईर्यापथ विशुद्धि) - Purification of the path of movement.
  - Siddha Bhakti (सिद्ध भक्ति) - Devotion to the Siddhas.
  - Shruta Bhakti (श्रुत भक्ति) - Devotion to scriptural knowledge.
  - Charitra Bhakti (चारित्र भक्ति) - Devotion to righteous conduct.
  - Yogi Bhakti (योगि भक्ति) - Devotion to accomplished yogis.
  - Acharya Bhakti (आचार्य भक्ति) - Devotion to spiritual preceptors.
  - Nandishwar Bhakti (नंदीश्वर भक्ति)
  - Veer Bhakti (वीर भक्ति)
  - Pancha Guru Bhakti (पंच गुरु भक्ति) - Devotion to the five supreme beings (Arhat, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu).
  - Samadhi Bhakti (समाधि भक्ति) - Devotion to equanimity.
  - Laghu Bhaktis (लघु भक्तियाँ) - Shorter versions of various devotional hymns.
- Source of Commentaries: The commentaries for these Bhaktis are attributed to Acharya Prabhachandra.
- Attribution of Works: The text discusses the origins of some of these Bhaktis, with some attributed to great ascetics like Gautam Ganadhar, and others to Padmaswamy (possibly Pushpadanta) and Kundakundacharya.

Chapter 4: Naimittik Kriya Adhyaya (नैमित्तिक क्रिया अध्याय) - Occasional Rituals

Focus: This chapter covers rituals performed on specific occasions or in response to particular events.
Key Components:
- Chaturdashi Kriya (चतुर्दशी क्रिया): Rituals for the 14th lunar day, often involving specific Bhaktis like Siddha Bhakti, Chaitya Bhakti, Pancha Guru Bhakti, and Shanti Bhakti, with variations in practice between Prakrit and Sanskrit traditions.
- Ashtami Kriya (अष्टमी क्रिया): Rituals for the 8th lunar day.
- Pakshikadi Pratikraman (पाक्षिकादि प्रतिक्रमण): Periodic confession rituals for monks (fortnightly, etc.).
- Vimshati Kriya (विंशति क्रिया): Various rituals associated with the 20 auspicious events in the lives of Tirthankaras (Kalyanakas) like conception, birth, renunciation, enlightenment, and liberation.
- Various Rituals: It also includes rituals like the installation of idols (Pratishtha), initiation (Diksha), and rituals related to the death or Nirvana of a spiritual leader (Samnyas Kriya). The text often references performing specific Bhaktis during these occasions.

Author's Introduction and Context:

Inspiration: The publication of this work was entrusted to the author by the Acharya Sangh (association of spiritual leaders).
Delays: The publication faced delays due to several large collections being published simultaneously and the author's responsibility for editing and publishing another significant work, "Abhishek Paath Sangrah."
Financial Support: The book acknowledges the financial assistance received from various individuals, which was crucial for its publication, and dedicates the work to the disciples of Munishri Sudharmasagarji Maharaj.
Scope Limitation: The author mentions that due to financial constraints, not all intended hymns and texts could be included; otherwise, the book would have been thrice its current size.
Editorial Notes: The author expresses humility, acknowledging potential errors and inaccuracies due to lack of sufficient resources and human fallibility, and seeks the reader's forgiveness.

Overall Significance:

"Kriya Kalap" serves as a practical guide for performing essential Jain rituals. By compiling and explaining these practices, the book aims to help both monastic and lay practitioners maintain their spiritual discipline and connect with the core tenets of Jainism. It highlights the importance of adherence to scriptural guidance while also reflecting the established traditions and commentaries within the Jain tradition. The detailed descriptions of various Bhaktis and rituals make it a valuable resource for understanding Jain devotional and penitential practices.