Mahavir Vani Lecture 48 Asparshit Akamp Hai Bhikshu - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of Osho's discourse "Mahavir Vani Lecture 48: Asparshit Akamp hai Bhikshu" based on the provided Jain text:

The lecture, drawing from Jain teachings and Osho's interpretation, defines the true Bhikshu (monk or renunciate) through a series of profound qualities and a distinct way of living. Osho emphasizes that a true Bhikshu is not merely one who renounces the world outwardly but one who cultivates an inner state of being.

Key Qualities of a True Bhikshu:

Endurance and Equanimity: A Bhikshu is one who can calmly endure harsh words that pierce like thorns, blows, and unfair criticisms or insults. They remain unfazed by frightening laughter, roaring sounds, and face both happiness and sorrow with equanimity.
Control of Senses and Mind: The true Bhikshu exercises genuine restraint over their hands, feet, speech, and all senses. They are constantly engaged in spiritual contemplation and have a well-disciplined, stable mind.
Understanding of Truth: They possess a deep understanding of the meaning of scriptures and the underlying truths they convey.
Inner Indifference to External Stimuli: The core teaching is about being "Asparshit" (untouched) and "Akamp" (unshaken). This means not being affected by external events, words, or actions. What others say or do is their inner phenomenon, and the true Bhikshu does not attribute value to it. Their calmness is not a suppression of emotion but an absence of reaction.
Freedom from Desires and Attachments: Osho strongly critiques the human tendency to live for the body and its sensory pleasures. He illustrates this with the example of Emperor Nero, who indulged in excessive eating and vomiting solely for taste. He highlights that a life consumed by the pursuit of sensory pleasure, whether it's taste, lust, or any other sensory gratification, is ultimately a life wasted, leading only to death.
Transcending the Body: The lecture distinguishes between the physical body (mortal) and the inner self or soul (immortal). True life begins when the focus shifts from the body to the inner, unseen, conscious self. The body's life is the life of the senses, and clinging to it alone means missing out on real life.
Detachment from Sensory Pleasures: The lecture criticizes the pervasive influence of sensual desires, particularly sexual desire, in modern life. It points out how even non-sexual products are advertised using sexual imagery to appeal to the masses. Osho notes that a vast majority of people are lost in the pursuit of sensual pleasure, while a small percentage are lost in the struggle against it. Both are trapped by their obsession with sensuality.
Recognizing Illusions: The pursuit of sensory pleasures is likened to chasing bubbles. These pleasures are fleeting and ultimately lead to pain or suffering, either through loss or the inherent dissatisfaction they bring. The true seeker recognizes these bubbles and lets them pass without attachment.
Fearlessness: A crucial aspect highlighted is "Abhay" (fearlessness). Osho explains that all fear ultimately stems from the fear of death. Those who cultivate fearlessness, especially in the face of danger or chaos, are closer to connecting with their true self. Being unshaken ("Akamp") in terrifying situations is a sign of this inner freedom.
Equanimity towards Happiness and Sorrow: The lecture emphasizes that both happiness and sorrow are "excited states" that can disturb inner equilibrium. The true Bhikshu remains a detached witness to both, not getting agitated by pleasure or pain. True bliss, according to Mahavir, is an unmoved state of consciousness.
Inner Transformation, Not Just Outer Renunciation: Osho stresses that simply abandoning external things is not enough. The real transformation is internal. Even those who outwardly renounce worldly pursuits might be caught in the struggle against desire, still being bound by the very thing they are trying to escape.
The Power of Awareness and Inner Work: The lecture advocates for introspection and self-awareness. Instead of reacting to criticism or external events, one should turn inward and examine the cause. If the criticism is false, it's irrelevant. If it's true, it's an opportunity for self-reflection and improvement, not to blame the other.
The True Nature of Life: The ultimate goal is to realize that life is not merely the sensory experiences of the body but the inner, conscious, and immutable self. Death is not the end but a separation from the limited physical existence, a transition to a vaster reality.
The Source of Peace: True peace is not achieved by suppressing external disturbances or imposing it through force (like death or silencing others). Instead, it arises from within by awakening one's own inner life and realizing that external events have no inherent claim on one's inner state.
Beyond Questions to Samadhi: The ultimate aim is not to find answers to life's questions but to reach a state where questions themselves cease to arise. This state of "Samadhi" (total absorption/equanimity) is the true goal of religion, where the mind becomes still and the inner self is experienced.

Illustrative Examples and Analogies:

Nero's indulgence: To show the extreme pursuit of sensory pleasure.
Butterflies chased by children and elders: To illustrate the persistent pursuit of fleeting pleasures throughout life.
Mulla Nasruddin's advertisements and life: Used to highlight the unchanging nature of desires across age and the tendency to remain attached to the worldly even in old age.
The computer asking "Is there a God?": A parable to show that even the most advanced artificial intelligence might realize its existence when faced with the question of ultimate reality, contrasting it with the human inability to realize their own inner divine essence.
The comparison of senses to small holes: Emphasizing that the true self is beyond these sensory apertures.
The example of a thorn in the babool tree and a flower in a rose: To explain that external actions of others are their inherent nature, not directed at you personally.
Holika Dahan: To illustrate the cathartic release of pent-up emotions and the need for such outlets.
The Zen fakir dying in a headstand: A story to show the lightness and freedom that comes from inner mastery, even in the face of death.
The story of Mulla Nasruddin and Pandit Ramsharan Das with unsold clothes: To demonstrate how the perception of joy and sorrow is relative and dependent on circumstances and interpretation.
The Buddha and the moving toe: To emphasize the importance of being aware of even the subtlest inner movements and achieving mastery over the senses.

In essence, Osho's lecture on Mahavir's teachings presents a path to becoming a true Bhikshu through inner stillness, detachment, fearlessness, and the ultimate realization of the self beyond the limitations of the body and the senses. This is a state of being untouched and unshaken by the external world, finding peace and bliss within.