Kriya Parinam Ane Abhipray - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Kriya Parinam ane Abhipray" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Kriya Parinam ane Abhipray (Action, Result, and Intention) Author: Pandit Abhaykumar Jain Translator: Shri Deepakbhai M. Jain Publisher: Pandit Todarmal Smarak Trust, Jaipur

Overall Theme:

The book "Kriya Parinam ane Abhipray" is an in-depth exploration of three fundamental concepts in Jain philosophy: Kriya (Action), Parinam (Result/Attitude), and Abhipray (Intention/Belief/Perspective). It aims to elucidate the subtle yet crucial differences between these terms and their profound impact on an individual's spiritual journey, particularly in achieving liberation (moksha). The central argument is that while actions (kriya) and attitudes (parinam) are important, the underlying intention or belief (abhipray) is the ultimate determinant of one's spiritual progress or regress.

Key Concepts and Arguments:

The Central Problem: The book addresses the paradox of souls performing meritorious actions (shubha kriya) and experiencing positive results (shubha parinam) for countless lifetimes, yet still failing to achieve liberation. This leads to the question: what is missing? The answer lies in the subtle error within one's abhipray.
Defining the Terms:
- Kriya (Action): Refers to external physical or religious activities (eating, sleeping, worshipping, fasting, etc.). It's the outward manifestation, the "packaging" in the book's analogy. It's the most gross and externally observable aspect.
- Parinam (Result/Attitude): Refers to the internal mental and emotional states – the affections like attachment (raag), aversion (dwesh), passion (kashay), purity (vitragta), etc. These are the inner states that accompany or motivate actions. It's the "content" within the packaging.
- Abhipray (Intention/Belief/Perspective): This is the deepest layer, referring to one's core beliefs, convictions, and fundamental perspective about reality. It's the underlying conviction that shapes both parinam and kriya. It is the ultimate "truth" or "error" within. The book often equates it with shraddha (faith/belief) or drushti (perspective).
The Mal-and-Packing Analogy: A significant analogy used to explain the concepts is that of "mal" (goods/contents) and "packing" (packaging).
- The soul (Atma) is the "mal" – the true, essential substance.
- External actions (kriya) and even internal attitudes (parinam) like merit or demerit are considered "packing."
- Righteous path (moksha marg) and true liberation are the ultimate "mal."
- The book argues that many individuals focus solely on the "packing" (kriya, shubha parinam) mistaking it for the "mal" (true spiritual essence or liberation), thus leading to abhipray errors.
The Hierarchy of Subtlety: The book establishes a hierarchy of subtlety: Kriya is the most gross, Parinam is subtler, and Abhipray is the subtlest and most influential.
- Kriya is observable by others.
- Parinam is observable by oneself and indirectly through actions by others.
- Abhipray is the most hidden and operates at a deep psychological and philosophical level.
Abhipray as the Root Cause of Error: The core thesis is that errors in abhipray (misconceptions about the self, reality, and the path to liberation) lead to incorrect parinam and ultimately flawed kriya, even if the kriya appears outwardly pious.
- Nishchayabhasi (Illusion of Certainty): Rejecting the necessity of external actions (packing) entirely, while ignoring the underlying intention (abhipray).
- Vyavaharabhasi (Illusion of Convention): Mistaking the external actions or the "packing" as the ultimate truth (mal) without understanding the true essence or intention behind them. This is a major focus of the book, discussing various types of individuals who perform religious actions without the correct intention.
- Ubhayabhasi (Illusion of Both): Confusing or equating the packaging with the contents, thus not distinguishing between the essential path and its outward manifestations.
The Error of Misplaced Intention (Abhipray): The book details how individuals might perform actions like fasting, worshipping, or adhering to vows (kriya) with good intentions, but if their underlying belief system is flawed, their spiritual progress is hampered. For instance, worshipping with the sole intention of worldly gains or performing austerities out of fear of hell rather than out of love for the soul's true nature represents a flawed abhipray.
The Role of Teachers and Scriptures: The text emphasizes the importance of guidance from enlightened teachers (gyani guru) and understanding the correct perspective (samya drushti) as explained in Jain scriptures. Simply following religious practices without the right abhipray is insufficient for liberation.
The Cause of Bondage and Liberation:
- Bondage (Bandha): Primarily arises from incorrect abhipray, which leads to incorrect parinam and actions that perpetuate the cycle of birth and death. Even righteous actions performed with the wrong intention can lead to continued worldly existence.
- Liberation (Moksha): Is achieved by rectifying the abhipray – understanding the true nature of the soul and reality. This correct perspective leads to purified parinam and actions that are conducive to spiritual growth.
The Importance of Self-Reflection: The book encourages deep introspection to understand one's own abhipray. It suggests asking "why?" repeatedly about one's actions and motivations until the core belief or intention is revealed.
Distinguishing True vs. Apparent Religion: The book highlights the difference between external religious observances (dharmacharan) and the inner spiritual truth (nishchay dharm). Many are engrossed in the outward practices, mistaking them for the entire path, while their inner intention remains misaligned.
The "Hidden Traitors" (Chhipe hue Gaddar): The book draws a parallel between national traitors hidden within a country and internal "hidden traitors" – the wrong beliefs (abhipray) that undermine the soul's spiritual progress from within.
The Influence of Gurudev Shri Kanji Swami: The author acknowledges the profound influence of Gurudev Shri Kanji Swami's teachings, particularly his emphasis on discerning the true self and the correct perspective, which formed the basis for this extensive analysis of abhipray.

Structure of the Book (Based on Chapter Titles):

Chapter 1: Introduction: Sets the stage, highlighting the universal desire for happiness and freedom from suffering, and introduces the central problem that even meritorious actions don't always lead to liberation.
Chapter 2: The Nature of Kriya, Parinam, and Abhipray: Defines and elaborates on each concept, including the "mal and packing" analogy and the hierarchy of subtlety.
Chapter 3: The Place of Kriya, Parinam, and Abhipray in Life: Discusses how these three aspects manifest in daily life, the independence and interdependence between kriya and parinam, and the profound role of abhipray.
Chapter 4: Gradual Subtlety in Kriya, Parinam, and Abhipray: Explains how each aspect becomes subtler and more influential, with abhipray being the deepest and most critical.
Chapter 5: The Impact of Kriya, Parinam, and Abhipray on Life: Details how these aspects influence worldly affairs, karmic bondage, happiness/suffering, and ultimately, liberation. It contrasts the minimal impact of kriya alone with the significant impact of parinam and abhipray.
Chapter 6: Kriya, Parinam, and Abhipray in the Context of Wrong Efforts for Right Conduct: This chapter delves into the common misconceptions and errors in practicing virtues (like vows and austerities) due to a flawed abhipray. It critiques the focus on external actions and superficial attitudes without addressing the root cause of error in one's fundamental beliefs.

Conclusion:

"Kriya Parinam ane Abhipray" is a philosophical treatise that guides the reader to look beyond mere outward religious practices and inner emotional states to the deeper, more fundamental layer of intention and belief. It argues that purifying one's abhipray is paramount for true spiritual progress and achieving liberation in Jainism, emphasizing that a correct understanding of the self and reality is the ultimate "mal" that leads to true spiritual freedom.