Labdhi

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Labdhi" by Ramanlal C. Shah, based on the provided text:

The Essence of "Labdhi": Supernatural Powers and Their Significance in Jainism

The book "Labdhi" explores the concept of "labdhi" within Jainism, which refers to extraordinary, miraculous powers or supernatural abilities. It explains the origin of the term, its connection to spiritual progress, its various classifications, and its significance in the spiritual journey.

Origin and Meaning of "Labdhi":

• The term "labdhi" originates from the Sanskrit root "labh," meaning "to obtain" or "to acquire." Therefore, "labdhi" signifies "gain" or "acquisition."
• It refers to the acquisition of extraordinary, specialized powers that enable the miraculous and effortless attainment of desired objects.
• Jainism posits that as the dense karmic coverings over the soul are removed, such powers and "labdhis" naturally manifest within the soul.

Connection to Gautam Swami:

• The text highlights Gautam Swami, the chief disciple of Lord Mahavir, as a prime example of someone possessing numerous "labdhis." He is referred to as a "storehouse of labdhis" and bearing the epithet "Anant Labdhi Nidhi" (treasury of infinite labdhis).
• The text recounts instances of Gautam Swami's miraculous abilities, such as ascending the Ashtapad mountain using janghacharan labdhi (the power of swift movement through legs) by catching sunbeams, and feeding fifteen hundred ascetics from a single bowl of kheer that never depleted due to his alin-mahanasi labdhi (great and unceasing power).
• The tradition of Jain traders wishing "May you have the labdhi of Guru Gautam Swami" on Diwali signifies the aspiration for spiritual attainment and extraordinary powers.

Diverse Interpretations and Definitions of "Labdhi":

The text presents various definitions of "labdhi" from Jain scriptures:

• General: "Labdhi means what is obtained."
• Related to Knowledge: A special manifestation of the subsidence (kshayopasham) of jnanavarniya karma (knowledge-obscuring karma).
• Related to Senses: The subsidence of indriya (senses) caused by a special kshayopasham, enabling the soul to interact with sensory objects.
• Related to Intellect: The power of grasping objects that arises from the purity resulting from the kshayopasham of mati-jnanavarniya karma (sense-knowledge-obscuring karma).
• Related to Austerity: The attainment of riddhi (extraordinary powers) through specific austerities (tapa).
• Related to Spiritual Virtues: The union of the soul with samyagdarshan (right faith), samyagjnana (right knowledge), and samyagcharitra (right conduct).
• Related to Mystical Powers: Miraculous transformations like animadi vikriyas (powers of becoming small, etc.) that lead to the attainment of desired objects, extending up to liberation.
• Related to Inner Qualities: A special strength arising from inherent qualities.
• Related to Auspicious States: Powers obtained through the kshayopasham of coverings on the soul's auspicious states.

Manifestation of Labdhis:

• "Labdhis" are attained through the purification of the soul by overcoming karmas like jnanavarniya and antaraya through external and internal austerities.
• These powers are often inexplicable to ordinary people, leading to awe, faith, or even disbelief.
• The text lists numerous examples of such extraordinary abilities, including: understanding a word and grasping the entire meaning, witnessing distant events, understanding others' thoughts, perceiving one sense's object through another, levitation, aerial flight, emanating nectar from speech or hands, inexhaustible food, powers of combustion or cooling (tejoleshya), healing through bodily excretions or parts, shaking mountains, pacifying crises, neutralizing venom, manifesting events through speech, and transmigration of the soul.
• It is acknowledged that many "labdhis" have diminished or become rare in the present era, and those who possess them tend to maintain a low profile.

Comparison with Other Traditions:

• Vedic Tradition: The term "Vibhuti" is used for similar miraculous powers in Vedic traditions, described in texts like the Upanishads, Yoga Sutras, and Bhagavad Gita, often attained through yogic practices and virtues.
• Buddhist Tradition: In Buddhist literature, these powers are known as abhijna. They are categorized into laukika (worldly) and lokottara (transcendent). Examples of laukika abhijna include aerial flight, clairaudience, telepathy, and recollection of past lives. Lokottara abhijna refers to the power gained by a practitioner who achieves the state of arhatship and can guide others to liberation.

Classification of Labdhis:

The number and types of "labdhis" vary across different Jain traditions and scriptures:

• Infinite Potential: Theoretically, the soul, being infinite in power, can manifest infinite "labdhis."
• Commonly Cited Numbers: Scriptures mention five, ten, twenty-eight, forty-eight, fifty, or sixty-four types of "labdhis."

Key Classifications Mentioned:

1. Five Types Based on Spiritual Purity:

   • Kshayopasham Labdhi: Knowledge arising from kshayopasham.
   • Vishuddhi Labdhi: Labdhi that is instrumental in the formation of auspicious karma and against inauspicious karma.
   • Deshna Labdhi: The power to preach about the nine realities and external substances; possessed by those with right faith.
   • Prayogyata Labdhi: Destroying the peak state and experience of karma, remaining in a specific state for a fixed duration.
   • Karan Labdhi: Attained by pure souls who perform apoorvakaran and anivrittikaran with the kshayopasham of delusion-causing karma. (Note: The first four can be attained by both capable and incapable souls, while Karan Labdhi is only for capable souls after attaining right faith).

2. Five Types based on Time, Cause, Instruction, Subsidence, and Application.

3. Five Types: Donation (Daan), Profit (Laabh), Enjoyment (Bhog), Consumption (Paribhog), and Strength (Virya).

4. Nine Types: Donation, Profit, Enjoyment, Consumption, Strength, Right Faith, Right Perception, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct.

5. Ten Types (as per Bhagavati Sutra, explained to Gautam Swami):

   • Jnana Labdhi (Knowledge)
   • Darshan Labdhi (Perception)
   • Charitra Labdhi (Conduct)
   • Charitra-acharita Labdhi (Mixed Conduct)
   • Daan Labdhi (Donation)
   • Laabh Labdhi (Profit)
   • Bhog Labdhi (Enjoyment)
   • Upbhog Labdhi (Consumption)
   • Virya Labdhi (Strength)
   • Indriya Labdhi (Sense Power)
   • The text mentions sub-types within these ten.

6. Twenty-Eight Types (as per Aavashyak Niruyukti, Pravachan Saroddhar):

   • These include various aushadhi labdhis (healing powers through touch, excretions, phlegm, dirt, nails, hair), sambhinnashroti (hearing through any body part), avadhijnana, rujutva, vipulamati, charan vidhya (aerial movement), ashivish (power of curses/blessings), vachani (karmic subsidence), ganadhar (becoming a chief disciple), poorvadhar (knowledge of scriptures), arhat, chakravarti, baldev, vasudev, ksheer-madhu-sarpi (sweet speech), koshthakbuddhi (retentive memory), padanusarini (understanding a verse from a single line), bijbuddhi (inferential reasoning), tejoleshya, shitaleshyam, vikriya dehdaari (changing bodily form), akshin mahanasi (inexhaustible food), and puttaru (creating figures).

7. Fifty Types (as per Surimantra Brihatkalpa Vivaran): The text lists these, covering various powers related to knowledge, physical transformation, healing, and control.

Significance of Tapascharya (Austerity) in Obtaining Labdhis:

• Intense austerities are crucial for the manifestation of these special powers.
• Specific penances like Labdhi Vidhan (a ritualistic fast lasting six years with specific dietary rules) and the Twenty-Eight Labdhi Tap are described.
• Tejoleshya Labdhi can be attained through a specific fasting regimen.

The Importance of Intention:

• The text distinguishes between pursuing austerities for the sake of obtaining "labdhis" and practicing them with the ultimate goal of karma kshaya (destruction of karma) and moksha prapti (liberation).
• The latter, focused on soul purification, leads to "labdhis" as a natural byproduct and is considered more beneficial.

Labdhis vs. Vidyas:

• The term "Vidya" is also used in Jain texts for a collection of different "labdhis" related to a common subject.
• The text details specific "vidyas" and the "labdhis" required to attain them, such as "Bandhamokshini Vidya" (liberation from bondage) requiring eight specific "labdhis."

The Eight Great Siddhis:

These are often associated with "labdhis" and include:

1. Anima: Power to become infinitesimally small.
2. Laghima: Power to become light.
3. Mahima: Power to become infinitely large.
4. Prapti: Power to obtain anything.
5. Prakamya: Power to fulfill all desires.
6. Vashitva: Power of control.
7. Ishitva: Power of dominion.
8. Patrakamavasavitva: Power to fulfill all intentions.

Spiritual vs. Material Labdhis:

• Spiritual Labdhis: Such as Arhat Labdhi, Kevali Labdhi, Ganadhar Labdhi, Poorvadhar Labdhi are considered the highest and most revered.
• Material Labdhis: Like Kheloushadhi, Sarvoushadhi, Akshin Mahanasi are tangible and have less spiritual value.

The Transient Nature of Labdhis:

• Material "labdhis" are not always permanent. They can diminish or disappear due to impure thoughts, speech, or actions.
• Maintaining "labdhis" requires discipline, detachment from worldly desires, and secret utilization for the welfare of others.
• Those who seek fame, boast about their powers, use them for selfish gain, or try to obtain material benefits from them will see their powers wane. It becomes difficult to regain them in the same lifetime.

Labdhis and Spiritual Progress (Gunasthana):

• As the soul purifies and ascends through the spiritual stages (gunasthanas), "labdhis" begin to manifest, particularly at the tenth stage (Sukshma Samparaaya).
• However, attachment to these powers can lead to a fall. The subtle greed and attachment for their use are still present, making this stage a test for spiritual aspirants.
• True practitioners often conceal their "labdhis," using them only for the benefit of others in times of crisis and never for personal gratification.
• In the pursuit of liberation, physical powers are not as valuable as maintaining spiritual purity and detachment from these very powers.

In essence, "Labdhi" is a detailed exploration of the multifaceted concept of supernatural abilities in Jainism, emphasizing their origin in spiritual purification, their diverse forms and classifications, and the crucial aspect of maintaining detachment and using them selflessly for spiritual growth and the well-being of humanity.