Kundakundacharya Ke Tin Ratna - Book Summary

This document is a comprehensive summary and introduction to the works of the esteemed Jain Acharya Kundakunda, specifically focusing on his three seminal texts: Panchastikaya, Pravachanasara, and Samaysara. The book, "Kundakundacharya ke Tin Ratna" (The Three Jewels of Acharya Kundakunda), authored by Gopaldas Jivabhai Patel and translated by Shobhachand Bharilla, published by Bharatiya Gyanpith, aims to make these profound philosophical works accessible to a wider audience.

The book is structured into several sections:

1. Introduction (Upo_dghat)

Acharya Kundakunda's Place in Jain Tradition: The introduction highlights the immense respect accorded to Acharya Kundakunda in the Digambara Jain tradition, placing him alongside Bhagwan Mahavir and Ganadhar Gautam. His works are considered foundational, analogous to the Prasthanatrayi (Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, and Bhagavad Gita) in Vedanta.
The Digambara Sect: It briefly touches upon the history of the Digambara sect, tracing its origins back to the disciples of Bhadrabahu and the geographical spread of Jainism.
Life and Times of Acharya Kundakunda: The text delves into the legends and historical uncertainties surrounding Acharya Kundakunda's life. It mentions two prominent legends, one involving a cowherd boy and the other a king's son named Kundakunda. It also discusses his potential discipleship to Bhadrabahu and the challenges in pinpointing his exact era, suggesting various plausible periods from the 1st century BCE to the 1st century CE.
Works of Acharya Kundakunda: A list of several works attributed to Kundakunda is provided, including Chaurasi Pahud (Eighty-four Prābhṛta), Dash Bhakti (Ten Devotional Praises), Aath Pahud (Eight Prābhṛta), Ratnasara, Baras Anuvekkha (Twelve Reflections), Niyamasara, and the prominent "Natak Trayi" (Panchastikaya, Pravachanasara, and Samaysara). The introduction notes that many of these attributions are based on tradition and commentary, with some works potentially being later additions or compilations.
Kundakunda's Vedanta (Philosophy): This section begins to explore the philosophical underpinnings of Kundakunda's teachings, touching on the relationship between the soul and karma.

2. Practical Viewpoint (Vyavaharika Drishtibindu)

This section focuses on the conventional or practical understanding of Jain philosophy, often explained through the lens of everyday experience and common parlance.

Introduction and Necessity of Scripture: It emphasizes the importance of scripture for understanding reality and achieving spiritual progress. It introduces the concept of Naya (standpoints) and the need to grasp the meaning of Jain technical terms.
Substance (Dravya) Analysis:
- The Six Substances (Dravyas): An extensive explanation of the six fundamental substances in Jainism: Jiva (soul), Pudgala (matter), Dharma (medium of motion), Adharma (medium of rest), Akasha (space), and Kala (time). Each substance is described in detail.
- Definition of Existence (Sat): The concept of existence is explained as being characterized by origin, decay, and permanence (Utpatti-Vyaya-Dhruvya).
- Substance, Qualities, and Modes (Dravya, Guna, Paryaya): The relationship between substance, its inherent qualities, and its transient modes (changes) is elaborated.
- Astikayas: The five substances that possess multiple spatial extensions (Astikayas) are identified.
- Various Classifications of Substances: Substances are further classified based on categories like animate/inanimate, material/immaterial, and their respective attributes.
- Detailed Description of Substances: Each of the six substances is meticulously described, including their properties, functions, and spatial presence. For instance, Pudgala is discussed in terms of atoms and their combinations, while Jiva is defined by its consciousness.
The Soul (Jiva):
- Six Types of Jiva: The classification of souls based on the number of senses and consciousness is outlined.
- The Soul's Transformability: The soul's capacity to undergo changes and experiences through karma is discussed.
- Bondage of Karma: The process and causes of karmic bondage are explained.
- The Soul's Agency (Kartritva): The soul's role as a doer and experiencer is explored.
- The Soul's States: The discussion covers the soul's auspicious (Shubha), inauspicious (Ashubha), and pure (Shuddha) states.
- Essence of Scripture: The concluding part of this section reiterates the core message of scriptural knowledge.
- Supreme Happiness (Paramarthika Sukh): The ultimate bliss attainable by the soul is touched upon.
Path to Liberation (Marg): This section outlines the fundamental principles of the Jain path to liberation:
- Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct (Darshan, Gyan, Charitra): These three constitute the path to liberation.
- Influx and Cessation of Karma (Asrava and Samvara): The inflow of karma and its stoppage are explained.
- Shedding of Karma (Nirjara): The process of eradicating accumulated karma is described.
- Conduct (Charitra): The importance of right conduct is emphasized.
- Renunciation (Sanyasa): The practice of renunciation for spiritual progress.
- Fundamental Vows (Mool Guna): The core ethical principles and practices for monks.
- Non-violence (Ahimsa): The paramount importance of ahimsa is highlighted.
- Non-possession (Aparigraha): The necessity of renouncing possessions is explained.
- Scriptural Knowledge (Shastra Gyan): The role of scripture in spiritual discipline.
- Service and Devotion (Seva-Bhakti): The significance of devotional practices.
- Humility (Vinaya): The virtue of humility and respect towards elders and scriptures.

3. Ultimate Viewpoint (Paramarthika Drishtibindu)

This section delves into the absolute or ultimate truth, often termed the Nischaya Naya (ultimate perspective) in Jainism, which transcends conventional understanding.

Two Viewpoints: The distinction between the practical (Vyavahar Naya) and ultimate (Nischaya Naya) perspectives is crucial. The ultimate viewpoint focuses on the soul's inherent pure nature, irrespective of karmic modifications.
The Soul (Jiva) and Non-Self (Anatma): It elaborates on the difference between the soul and non-soul entities. It discusses how various schools misidentify the soul with passions, karma, or the body.
The Doer and the Deed (Karta and Karma): The text intensely analyzes the concepts of agency and karma. It argues that ultimately, the soul, in its pure state, is not the doer of karmic actions. Karma is primarily a material substance (Pudgala) that undergoes transformation. The soul's involvement is through its Avadhyavasaya (mental dispositions), which are a result of ignorance. The discussion explores the paradox of karma being both the cause and effect, and the soul's relationship with it. It critiques the idea of the soul being an absolute doer or non-doer.
Merit and Demerit (Punya-Papa): It emphasizes that both merit (good karma) and demerit (bad karma) bind the soul to the cycle of birth and death, and therefore, from an ultimate perspective, both are considered impure. True liberation comes from transcending both.
Influx of Karma (Asrava): The causes of karma's influx, such as false belief (Mithyatva), lack of self-control (Avirati), passions (Kashaya), and activities (Yoga), are discussed.
Cessation of Karma (Samvara): True cessation of karma occurs when the soul, through right knowledge and conduct, ceases to generate passions and attachments.
Shedding of Karma (Nirjara): The process of karma shedding is described as an experience of karmic fruits without attachment or aversion. The enlightened soul experiences the results of past karma but does not accrue new karma.
Explanation of Right Faith (Samyagdarshana): The text defines a truly right-believer (Samyagdarshani) based on the absence of fear, desires, attachment, and the presence of equanimity and true insight.
Bondage (Bandha): The causes of bondage are reiterated, emphasizing that it is ultimately the soul's mistaken identification with karmic states and passions.
Liberation (Moksha): The state of liberation is described as the complete shedding of karma and the realization of the soul's pure, inherent nature.
Discrimination (Viveka): The importance of discerning the true nature of the soul from non-soul entities is highlighted.
The Amrita Kumbha (Vessel of Nectar): This metaphor represents the state of pure soul, attained through right knowledge and conduct.
Pure Knowledge (Sarvavishuddha Gyana): The nature of omniscience is discussed, where the soul directly perceives all substances and their modes without the limitations of senses or sequential cognition.
The Soul's Agency (Atma ke Kartritva ka Prakar): The discussion continues on the soul's agency, arguing that while the soul is inherently the knower, its perceived "doership" in the empirical world is a result of ignorance and the influence of karma.
The Soul is Not the Doer (Atma Sarvatha Akarta Nahin): The text counters the notion of the soul being an absolute non-doer, which would lead to paradoxes.
The Sankhya Perspective: The text engages with the Sankhya philosophy, highlighting similarities and differences in their views on the relationship between the self and material reality.
The Momentary Viewpoint (Kshanikavadi ko Uttar): It addresses the Buddhist concept of momentary existence and its implications for the soul.
The Soul is Not a Knower of External Substances (Atma Pardravya ka Gyata bhi Nahin): This point clarifies that the soul's knowledge does not involve becoming one with the known object.
Passions are Not in the Soul (Atmamen Ragadi Nahin Hai): It asserts that passions like attachment and aversion are not inherent qualities of the pure soul but rather arise from ignorance and karmic influences.
Ignorance (Ajnyana): Ignorance is identified as the root cause of bondage.
The True Path to Liberation (Saccha Moksha Marg): The path of self-realization through right faith, knowledge, and conduct is reiterated.

4. Good Conduct (Subhashita)

This section likely contains concise verses or aphorisms that summarize key Jain principles, reinforcing the teachings presented in the previous sections. It includes insights on:

Substance (Dravya): The nature of substances and their characteristics.
Soul (Jiva): The essence and states of the soul.
Violence and Non-violence (Hinsa-Ahimsa): The importance of non-violence in thought, word, and deed.
Non-possession (Aparigraha): The necessity of detachment from material possessions.
True Monk (Saccha Shramana): The characteristics and conduct of an enlightened monk.
Scriptural Knowledge (Shastra Gyan): The indispensable role of scripture in spiritual progress.
Subhashitas: Profound sayings and teachings.

In essence, "Kundakundacharya ke Tin Ratna" serves as a guide to understanding the profound philosophical and ethical teachings of Acharya Kundakunda. It meticulously dissects the Jain worldview, starting from the practical implications of its doctrines and gradually ascending to the ultimate, absolute truth of the soul's pure, liberated nature. The book emphasizes the importance of scriptural study, right conduct, and the discrimination between the soul and non-soul, all leading to the ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of birth and death.