Mulachar Satik Part 02 - Book Summary

This is a summary of the Jain text "Mulachar Satik Part 02," authored by Pannalal Soni and Gajadharlal Shastri, and published by Manikchandra Digambar Jain Granthmala Samiti. The text is the second part of a commentary on the Mulachar, a foundational Jain scripture.

The provided text focuses heavily on the Dvadasa-anupreksha Adhikara (Chapter on Twelve Contemplations) and the Anagar-bhavana Adhikara (Chapter on the Contemplations of the Homeless Ascetic), followed by a brief section on Samayasara Adhikara (Chapter on the Essence of the Self) and Shila-guna Adhikara (Chapter on Virtues and Conduct) and Paryapti Adhikara (Chapter on Attainments/Completenesses).

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and content:

I. Dvadasa-anupreksha Adhikara (Chapter on Twelve Contemplations)

This section, comprising the first part of the provided text, details the twelve fundamental contemplations (Anupreksha) that a Jain ascetic should undertake for spiritual purification and progress. These are presented with detailed explanations from the commentary (Tika).

Introduction: The chapter begins with a invocation and a pledge to expound the twelve Anuprekshas.
The Twelve Contemplations (Summarized):
1. Adhruva (Impermanence): Contemplation on the transient nature of all things, including physical bodies, possessions, family, and relationships.
2. Asharan (Lack of Refuge): Realization that in times of death and suffering, no worldly support (wealth, power, relatives, even divine beings) can truly offer refuge. Only the Dharma (Jain path) is the true refuge.
3. Ekatva (Oneness/Solitude): Understanding that one is ultimately alone in experiencing the consequences of their karma, in birth, and in death.
4. Anyatva (Otherness): Realizing that one is separate from their body, possessions, and even their relatives and family. The true self is distinct from all these.
5. Samsara (Cycle of Birth and Death): Contemplation on the endless cycle of transmigration through the four realms (hells, animals, humans, heavens) due to ignorance and karma.
6. Loka (The Universe): Understanding the nature, structure, and vastness of the universe.
7. Ashuchi (Impurity): Contemplation on the inherent impurity of the body and the physical world, filled with suffering, disease, and decay.
8. Asrava (Inflow of Karma): Understanding the channels through which karma enters the soul (mind, speech, body, passions, senses).
9. Samvara (Cessation of Karma Inflow): Realizing the means to stop the inflow of karma, primarily through virtuous conduct and restraint.
10. Nirjara (Shedding of Karma): Understanding the process of purging existing karma through austerities and penances.
11. Dharma (Righteousness/Path): Contemplating the essential nature of Jain dharma, characterized by virtues like forgiveness, humility, truthfulness, etc.
12. Bodhi (Enlightenment/Right Faith): Realizing the rarity and importance of obtaining right faith and understanding the path to liberation.
Detailed Exposition: The text elaborates on each contemplation with examples and logical reasoning, emphasizing the transient, helpless, solitary, and impure nature of worldly existence and the ultimate futility of attachment. It highlights the body's decomposition and the suffering inherent in all states of existence.

II. Anagar-bhavana Adhikara (Chapter on the Contemplations of the Homeless Ascetic)

This section delves into the rigorous practices and mental disciplines of a Jain ascetic (Anagar).

Qualities of an Ascetic: The text describes the ideal ascetic as one who is free from worldly attachments, detached from the body, content, and constantly engaged in spiritual practices like meditation and study.
Practices: Emphasis is placed on:
- Linga Shuddhi (Purity of Symbols/Conduct): Nudity, hair-plucking (locha), refusal of body adornments, and pure conduct.
- Vrata Shuddhi (Purity of Vows): Strict adherence to vows like non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possession.
- Vihara Shuddhi (Purity of Movement/Dwelling): Living in solitude, avoiding populated areas, practicing careful movement to prevent harm to living beings (prachaman), and dwelling in secluded places.
- Bhiksha Shuddhi (Purity of Alms-Gathering): Strict rules for alms-gathering, ensuring the food is pure, obtained without causing harm, and consumed with proper mindfulness.
- Jnana Shuddhi (Purity of Knowledge): Attaining pure knowledge through scripture study and contemplation.
- Ujjhana Shuddhi (Purity of Abandonment): Renouncing all possessions, attachments, and even the body itself.
- Vakya Shuddhi (Purity of Speech): Speaking only what is truthful, beneficial, and non-harmful, avoiding idle talk.
- Tapas Shuddhi (Purity of Austerities): Practizing external austerities like fasting, living in difficult conditions, and enduring hardships, all motivated by internal purity and detachment.
- Dhyana Shuddhi (Purity of Meditation): Cultivating focused meditation on the self and the principles of Jainism.
Body as Impure: A significant portion is dedicated to describing the human body in its most graphic and unappealing detail, emphasizing its impurity, source of disease, and ultimate decay to foster detachment.
The Importance of Detachment: The text repeatedly stresses the need for detachment from the body, senses, and all worldly pleasures, portraying them as sources of suffering and impediments to spiritual progress.

III. Samayasara Adhikara (Chapter on the Essence of the Self)

This brief section highlights the importance of the soul (Self) and its true nature, emphasizing the supremacy of right conduct (Charitra) over mere scriptural knowledge.

The Soul as the True Refuge: The soul is the ultimate reality and the path to liberation.
Conduct Over Knowledge: While knowledge is important, pure conduct is paramount for achieving liberation. Mere intellectual knowledge without virtuous action is insufficient.
Detachment and Meditation: The path to self-realization involves detachment from worldly desires and sustained meditation.

IV. Shila-guna Adhikara (Chapter on Virtues and Conduct)

This chapter elaborates on the virtues and conduct expected of Jain ascetics and householders.

The Ten Virtues: It details the ten virtues: forgiveness, humility, straightforwardness, non-possessiveness, chastity, truthfulness, detachment, patience, contentment, and celibacy.
The Importance of Purity: Emphasizes the purity in all aspects of an ascetic's life – purity of vows, conduct, alms-gathering, knowledge, and speech.
The Meaning of Asceticism: Describes the ascetic life as one of complete renunciation, detachment, and rigorous spiritual practice, free from worldly concerns and physical adornments.
The Body as a Vessel of Impurity: Similar to the Anagar-bhavana chapter, it reiterates the description of the body as impure and a source of suffering.

V. Paryapti Adhikara (Chapter on Attainments/Completenesses)

This final section deals with the concept of "Paryapti" (attainments or completnesses) in Jainism, referring to the processes that lead to the development of a being's physical and mental faculties.

Six Types of Attainments: The text outlines the six types of attainments: food, body, senses, breath, speech, and mind.
Differences in Attainments: It explains how these attainments differ across various beings, including different types of hell-dwellers (Narakas), gods (Devas), humans, and animals (Tiryak). The text provides details about their lifespan, bodily form, and sensory capabilities.
Lifespans: The chapter specifies the lifespans of beings in different realms and types, ranging from very short periods for hell-dwellers and some beings in lower realms to incredibly long lifespans for gods and beings in higher spiritual states.
The Cycle of Rebirth: The descriptions of lifespans and forms implicitly reinforce the cycle of birth and death (Samsara) driven by karma.
The Nature of the Body: It reiterates the distinction between the physical body and the soul, describing the body in detail, including its potential imperfections and transformations.

Overall Themes:

Detachment (Vairagya): A central theme throughout the text is the absolute necessity of detachment from the physical body, worldly possessions, family, and even life itself, as these are considered sources of suffering and obstacles to liberation.
Austerity (Tapas): Intense austerities are presented as a crucial means for purifying the soul and shedding karma.
Right Faith, Knowledge, and Conduct (Samyak Darshan, Jnana, Charitra): The text emphasizes that the true path to liberation lies in the simultaneous practice of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct, which are all interconnected.
Karma: The concept of karma and its influence on transmigration and suffering is implicitly and explicitly present throughout the text.
The Ascetic Ideal: The text provides a detailed portrayal of the ideal Jain ascetic, highlighting their renunciation, self-control, and unwavering devotion to the spiritual path.

This summary is based on the provided text and aims to capture the essence of the discussions on the twelve contemplations, ascetic life, the soul, virtues, and the processes of development and lifespan within the Jain cosmology as presented in this part of the Mulachar commentary.