Manava Dharma

This Jain text, Manava Dharma (Humanity - A Religion), authored by Pandit Bhuramal Shastri (later known as Acharya Shri Gyan Sagarji Maharaj) and translated into English by Nihal Chandra Jain, is a profound exploration of Jain principles presented as a universal religion for humanity. The book, dedicated to the spiritual leader Acharya Shri Vidhyasagarji Maharaj, aims to guide readers towards spiritual upliftment and ultimate liberation (Moksha).

The text systematically breaks down the Jain path to spiritual perfection, primarily focusing on the Ratnatraya (Three Jewels): Right Faith (Samyak Darshan), Right Knowledge (Samyak Gyan), and Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra).

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and concepts presented:

I. The Nature of Reality and the Goal of Life:

• The World as a Forest of Delusion: The world is depicted as a confusing place where humans are lost due to delusions, making it difficult to find the righteous path.
• The Ideal of Mahaveer: Great souls like Lord Mahavira are presented as ideals to be followed, having conquered passions and achieved fearlessness.
• Knowledge as Wealth: True wealth is identified as knowledge (Gyan), as possessing something without knowing its value is useless.
• The Soul's True Nature: The soul (Jivatma) is inherently pure, omniscient, and divine, but becomes bound by worldly attachments and karmas, leading to a cycle of birth and death.
• Moksha/Nirvana: The ultimate goal is liberation from suffering, a state of eternal bliss, knowledge, and peace, free from birth, old age, disease, and death.

II. The Three Jewels (Ratnatraya):

• Right Faith (Samyak Darshan):

  • Apta, Agam, Guru: This involves faith in the true God (Apta), true scripture (Agam), and true preceptor (Guru).
  • Characteristics of an Apta: A true God is free from faults and weaknesses, omniscient, and a revealer of Dharma. The text details eighteen blemishes from which the Jain Tirthankaras are free.
  • The Eight Angas of Right Faith: These are explained as:
    1. Nihshankita (Without doubt): Unwavering faith in the teachings.
    2. Nihkankshitatva (Without desire): No desire for sensual pleasures, recognizing them as dependent on karma and transient.
    3. Nirvichikitsita (Without disgust): Loving virtuous people without disgust for their bodies, which are inherently impure but purified by the Three Jewels.
    4. Amudhadrishti (Without delusion): Rejecting false creeds and those who lead astray.
    5. Upaguhana (Support/Upholding): Removing ridicule against the pure path and supporting those who falter.
    6. Sthitikaran (Stabilization): Re-establishing wavering souls on the right path.
    7. Vatsalya (Affection): Love and respect for co-religionists with purity of heart.
    8. Prabhavana (Glorification): Spreading the glory of Jain Siddhanta by removing ignorance.
  • The Importance of Faith: Right Faith is considered the pilot guiding the soul towards liberation.

• Right Knowledge (Samyak Gyan):

  • Four Anuyogas: This encompasses four branches of Jain scriptures:
    1. Prathamaanuyoga: Biographies of great souls, guiding towards the righteous path.
    2. Karnaanuyoga: Explaining the nature of the universe, soul, karma, and cosmology.
    3. Charnaanuyoga: Detailing religious conduct, vows, and rituals for laymen and ascetics.
    4. Dravyaanuyoga: Discussing the essential principles of reality, self-non-self discrimination, and logic.
  • Knowledge as Understanding Reality: True knowledge is understanding things as they truly are, neither insufficiently nor with exaggeration.

• Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra):

  • Sakala and Vikala Charitra: Perfect conduct (Sakala) is for ascetics who have renounced everything, while qualified conduct (Vikala) is for laymen.
  • The Twelve Vows: This section details the vows for householders, categorized into:
    • Anuvratas (Minor Vows): Five vows for laymen, partially abstaining from major sins:
      1. Ahinsa Anuvrata (Non-violence): Refraining from gross violence, with consideration for intention.
      2. Satyanuvrata (Truthfulness): Speaking truth that is not afflicting to others.
      3. Asteyana (Non-stealing): Not appropriating others' property, and avoiding related activities like adulteration.
      4. Brahmacharya (Chastity/Celibacy): Contentment with one's own spouse and renouncing relations with others.
      5. Parigraha Parimana (Limitation of Possessions): Limiting worldly possessions and desires.
    • Gunavratas (Virtuous Vows): Three vows that enhance the minor vows:
      1. Digvrata (Directional Vow): Limiting one's movement to avoid subtle sins.
      2. Anarthadanda Vrata (Vow against Purposeless Sins): Avoiding harmful or sinful activities done without purpose.
      3. Bhogopabhoga Parimana Vrata (Vow of Limited Enjoyment): Limiting the use of consumable and reusable objects.
    • Shikshavratas (Disciplinary Vows): Four vows to prepare for asceticism:
      1. Desavakasika (Limited Area Vow): Further limiting one's activity to specific times and places.
      2. Samayika (Equanimity Vow): Daily practice of equanimity and refraining from sins for a set period.
      3. Prosadhopavasa (Fasting Vow): Observing specific fasts on auspicious days.
      4. Atithi Samvibhaga Vrata (Vow of Serving Guests): Offering food and service to saints selflessly.

III. The Eight Fundamental Virtues for Householders: This includes the five Anuvratas and abstaining from wine, meat, and honey.

IV. The Eleven Stages of a Householder's Life (Pratimas): The book meticulously describes eleven stages of spiritual progress for a householder, starting from Darshan Pratima (Right Faith) and progressively moving towards renunciation. These stages involve increasing levels of adherence to vows and a gradual detachment from worldly affairs. The later stages include abstaining from certain foods, night eating, celibacy, renunciation of professions, possessions, and finally, the stage of complete detachment and acceptance of begging for alms (Kshullaka and Ellaka stages).

V. Sallekhana (Passionless Death): The book concludes with a discussion on Sallekhana, a voluntary and intentional fasting unto death, undertaken with a calm and detached state of mind. It is described as a way to increase spiritual merit and achieve liberation, free from fear, pain, and attachment.

Overall Message: "Manava Dharma" emphasizes that true religion lies in self-discipline, ethical conduct, and the pursuit of knowledge and spiritual purity. It advocates for a life of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, and non-possession, ultimately leading to the soul's liberation from the cycle of suffering. The text, while rooted in Jain philosophy, presents these principles as a universal path for humanity to achieve peace, happiness, and spiritual fulfillment.