Nisihajjhayanam - Book Summary

The Jain text "Nisihajjhayanam" (निसीहज्झयणं), translated and commented upon in this volume, is a significant scripture within the Jain Agam literature, specifically belonging to the Cheda Sutras. The text, along with its Sanskrit rendering, Hindi translation, detailed notes, and appendices, is presented by Jain Vishva Bharati, Ladnun. The publication is part of the "Mahavir Shasan Jainagam Granthamala" and acknowledges the guidance and leadership of Acharya Tulsi, Acharya Mahapragya, and Acharya Mahashraman. Dr. Sadhvi Shrutayasha is credited as the translator and commentator.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the text's content based on the provided information:

1. Title and Authorship:

Book Title: Nisihajjhayanam (निसीहज्झयणं)
Authors/Contributors: Acharya Tulsi (Vachana Pramukha), Acharya Mahapragya (Chief Editor), Acharya Mahashraman (Chief Editor), Dr. Sadhvi Shrutayasha (Translator, Commentator), Sadhvi Vishrutavibha, Sadhvi Muditayasha, Sadhvi Shubrayasha (Collaborators).
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati, Ladnun.
Publication Year: First Edition, 2014.

2. Core Subject Matter of "Nisihajjhayanam":

Type of Text: Cheda Sutra (छेदसूत्र). Cheda Sutras primarily deal with monastic discipline, rules, and transgressions, often focusing on expiatory actions (prayaschitta).
Purpose: The text primarily deals with prayaschitta (atonement or expiation for monastic transgressions). It outlines specific offenses committed by monks and nuns and prescribes the penances or purification rituals for them.

3. Structure and Content: The text is divided into twenty "Uddeshakas" (उद्देशक), meaning sections or chapters. Each Uddeshaka covers various aspects of monastic conduct and the associated transgressions and their expiations. The provided details of the Uddeshakas reveal the meticulous nature of Jain monastic law:

General Focus: The text details numerous rules and regulations for monks and nuns to maintain purity of conduct, speech, and thought. It addresses violations related to:
- Daily Conduct: Actions like cooking, eating, using utensils, dealing with bodily needs, and interaction with the external world.
- Speech: Lying, harsh speech, gossip, and inappropriate conversations.
- Intention and Thought: Wrong intentions, desires, and mental states.
- Possessions: Rules regarding the possession and use of monastic items (upadhi).
- Interaction with Laypeople and Others: Rules governing interactions with householders, non-Jains (anyatirthika), and even animals.
- Specific Transgressions: The detailed summaries for each Uddeshaka mention specific violations like:
  - Hasty actions: Rushing into actions without proper consideration.
  - Improper use of objects: Using monastic or lay items inappropriately.
  - Bodily actions: Such as improper cleansing, touching, or even actions intended for beautification (which are generally forbidden for ascetics).
  - Dietary rules: Violations related to accepting food or drink, especially certain types of food or from specific sources.
  - Speech violations: Speaking harshly, falsely, or engaging in inappropriate conversations.
  - Monastic procedures: Transgressions related to begging, residing in monasteries, and performing monastic duties.
  - Interactions with the opposite sex: The text extensively details offenses related to women, including even seemingly minor interactions that could lead to transgressions against celibacy (brahmacharya).
  - Dealing with the body: Rules concerning cleansing, touching, and even beautifying the body, which are generally prohibited for ascetics.
  - Interactions with royalty and societal figures: Specific rules concerning interactions with kings, royal officials, and other influential people.
  - Mishandling of monastic requisites: Rules regarding the care and use of items like brooms (rajoharan), vessels, and other personal effects.
  - Environmental interactions: Rules concerning interaction with the environment, such as avoiding injury to living beings (jiv-himsa) in various contexts.
  - Purity of Intention: Even actions that might seem neutral can be transgressions if done with impure intentions or if they violate established monastic norms.
Expiatory Actions (Prayaschitta): For each transgression, the text prescribes a specific prayaschitta, which could involve fasting (upavasa), eating one meal a day (ekasana), eating at a specific time (avadhya), confessing the fault (kaya-parishuddhi), or performing other acts of penance. The severity of the penance often depends on the nature of the transgression, the intention, and the position of the offender and the offended.

4. Key Concepts and Themes:

Ahimsa (Non-violence): Many rules and prohibitions stem from the principle of ahimsa, extending to the protection of even the smallest living beings (ekendriya jiva). This is evident in rules about soil, water, fire, air, vegetation, and all moving beings.
Brahmacharya (Celibacy): A significant portion of the text is dedicated to rules and prohibitions aimed at preserving celibacy. This includes strict guidelines for monks and nuns regarding their interactions with the opposite sex, their thoughts, and their physical conduct.
Aparigraha (Non-possession): Rules about the limited number of permitted monastic requisites (upadhi) and the proper care and handling of these items reflect the principle of non-possession.
Samiti and Gupti: The text emphasizes the importance of mindful conduct (samiti) in walking, speaking, accepting alms, handling objects, and excreting waste, and guarding one's thoughts, speech, and actions (gupti). Transgressions related to these are meticulously detailed.
Purity: The text stresses various forms of purity – in diet, speech, thought, actions, and living environment.
Discipline and Order: The meticulous detailing of offenses and their expiations highlights the importance of strict discipline and order within the monastic community.
Guidance for Spiritual Advancement: The underlying purpose of these strict rules is to help the ascetic progress on the path to liberation (moksha) by purifying their conduct and minimizing karmic accumulation.

5. Publication and Commentary:

The book is a scholarly work, providing the original text in Prakrit (or its ancestor language), a Sanskrit rendering, a Hindi translation, and extensive notes and commentaries. This indicates a deep scholarly effort to make the ancient text accessible and understandable to a modern audience.
The "Samarpan" (Dedication) section praises and pays homage to Acharya Tulsi, Acharya Mahapragya, and Acharya Mahashraman, as well as earlier influential figures like Jayacharya and Kalugani, highlighting the lineage of spiritual leadership and scholarship.
The "Prakashiya" (Editorial) and "Sampadkiya" (Editorial) sections provide context for the publication, mentioning previous publications in the Agam series and the importance of this work in the context of the overall effort to publish and explain the thirty-two Agamas.

In essence, "Nisihajjhayanam" serves as a comprehensive code of conduct and disciplinary manual for Jain ascetics. It provides detailed guidelines on how to live an ascetic life, the specific transgressions that can occur, and the prescribed penances for maintaining the purity of the spiritual path towards liberation. The extensive commentary by Sadhvi Shrutayasha and her team signifies the depth of Jain philosophical and practical understanding applied to this foundational text.