Pacchis Bol

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Pacchis Bol" by Vijaymuni Shastri:

Book Title: Pacchis Bol (Twenty-Five Points/Principles) Author: Pandit Vijaymuni Shastri Publisher: Sanmati Gyan Pith, Agra Overview: "Pacchis Bol" is considered a foundational text in Jain philosophy, acting as a key to understanding its deeper principles. This book is designed to introduce inquisitive minds to the core tenets of Jainism in a clear and accessible manner. It serves as a stepping stone to more extensive scriptural study, enabling readers to navigate the vast ocean of Jain scriptures. The current edition features a detailed and easy-to-understand commentary by Pandit Vijaymuni Shastri, making it beneficial for readers of all ages.

Key Sections (The Twenty-Five "Bols"):

The book is structured into twenty-five chapters, or "Bols," each focusing on a specific aspect of Jain philosophy and cosmology. Here's a summary of each:

1. The First Bol: Four Gatis (Destinies/Realms of Existence)

   • Concept: Explains that all infinite souls in the universe can be classified into four categories based on their rebirths: Naraka (hellish beings), Tiryanch (animals/sub-human beings), Manushya (humans), and Deva (celestial beings).
   • Details: Each realm is characterized by the types of karma that lead to rebirth there and the general nature of existence within them. Naraka beings suffer the results of severe negative karma, Tiryanch are driven by instinct and less developed consciousness, Humans have the potential for spiritual liberation, and Devas experience prolonged periods of pleasure due to good karma but are still subject to the cycle of birth and death.

2. The Second Bol: Five Jatis (Classes of Beings based on Senses)

   • Concept: Classifies living beings based on the development of their sensory organs, from one to five senses.
   • Details:
     • Ekindriya (One-sensed): Beings with only the sense of touch (e.g., plants, earth-bodied, water-bodied).
     • Dvi-indriya (Two-sensed): Beings with touch and taste (e.g., worms, leeches).
     • Tri-indriya (Three-sensed): Beings with touch, taste, and smell (e.g., ants, lice).
     • Chatur-indriya (Four-sensed): Beings with touch, taste, smell, and sight (e.g., flies, mosquitoes).
     • Panch-indriya (Five-sensed): Beings with all five senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing) plus the mind (e.g., humans, animals, celestial beings).

3. The Third Bol: Six Kayas (Types of Bodies/Substances)

   • Concept: Categorizes beings based on the fundamental physical substance or "body" they inhabit. This is crucial for understanding the scope of non-violence (Ahimsa).
   • Details:
     • Prithvi Kaya (Earth-bodied): Souls inhabiting earth particles.
     • Apo Kaya (Water-bodied): Souls inhabiting water.
     • Tejo Kaya (Fire-bodied): Souls inhabiting fire.
     • Vayu Kaya (Air-bodied): Souls inhabiting air.
     • Vanaspati Kaya (Vegetable-bodied): Souls inhabiting plants (including roots, fruits, etc.). This category is further divided into Sadharan (where one body hosts infinite souls) and Pratyek (where one body hosts one soul).
     • Trasa Kaya (Movable/Two-or-more-sensed): Beings with two or more senses.

4. The Fourth Bol: Five Indriyas (Sensory Organs)

   • Concept: Details the five external sensory organs that facilitate knowledge acquisition.
   • Details:
     • Shrotra (Hearing): Ears.
     • Chakshu (Sight): Eyes.
     • Ghrana (Smell): Nose.
     • Rasana (Taste): Tongue.
     • Sparshan (Touch): Skin.
   • Note: The text also discusses the mind (Man) as an internal organ, essential for processing sensory information, but classified differently from external indriyas.

5. The Fifth Bol: Six Paryaptis (Stages of Development/Fulfillment)

   • Concept: Describes the process by which a soul develops and sustains its physical and mental faculties through the assimilation of external matter.
   • Details:
     • Ahar Paryapti: Assimilation of food.
     • Sharir Paryapti: Formation of the body from assimilated food.
     • Indriya Paryapti: Development of sensory organs.
     • Shwasochhwas Paryapti: Development of respiration.
     • Bhasha Paryapti: Development of speech.
     • Manah Paryapti: Development of the mind.
   • Note: Different beings have varying numbers of Paryaptis.

6. The Sixth Bol: Ten Pranas (Life Forces)

   • Concept: Identifies the vital forces that sustain life.
   • Details: These are categorized into five Indriya Prana (life forces associated with senses), three Yoga Prana (life forces associated with mental, verbal, and physical activities), and two others: Shwasochhwas Prana (respiration) and Ayushya Prana (lifespan). Ayushya Prana is considered the most fundamental.

7. The Seventh Bol: Five Shariras (Bodies)

   • Concept: Explains the subtle and gross bodies that a soul inhabits during its journey through existence.
   • Details:
     • Audarik: The gross physical body visible to others.
     • Vaikriyik: A subtle body that can transform or change form.
     • Aharak: A subtle body used for specific spiritual purposes, like seeking knowledge from a knowledgeable monk.
     • Taijasa: The luminous or heat-generating body, responsible for digestion.
     • Karmana: The karmic body, composed of karmic particles that bind the soul. This is the most subtle body and is present from birth to death and in the intermediate state.

8. The Eighth Bol: Fifteen Yogas (Activities of Mind, Speech, and Body)

   • Concept: Describes the various ways the soul engages with the world through its mental, verbal, and physical activities.
   • Details: Categorized into four types of mental activities (truthful, false, mixed, conventional), four types of verbal activities, and seven types of bodily activities (related to the different bodies).

9. The Ninth Bol: Twelve Upayogas (Modes of Consciousness/Activities)

   • Concept: Explains the soul's engagement with reality through knowledge (Jnana) and perception/faith (Darshan).
   • Details:
     • Five types of Knowledge (Jnana): Mati Jnana (sensory knowledge), Shruta Jnana (scriptural knowledge), Avadhi Jnana (clairvoyance), Manah-paryaya Jnana (telepathy), and Keval Jnana (omniscience).
     • Three types of Ignorance (Ajnaana): Corresponding to incorrect understanding of Mati, Shruta, and Avadhi Jnana.
     • Four types of Perception (Darshan): Chakshu Darshan (sight perception), Achakshu Darshan (non-visual perception), Avadhi Darshan (clairvoyant perception), and Keval Darshan (omniscient perception).

10. The Tenth Bol: Eight Karmas (Karmic Activities)

    • Concept: Details the eight primary types of karma that bind the soul and influence its experiences.
    • Details:
      • Jnana-avaraniya: Obscures knowledge.
      • Darshana-avaraniya: Obscures perception.
      • Vedaniya: Determines pleasant or unpleasant feelings.
      • Mohaniya: Causes delusion and infatuation.
      • Ayushya: Determines the duration of life in a particular existence.
      • Nama: Determines physical attributes and characteristics.
      • Gotra: Determines lineage and social standing.
      • Antaraya: Obstructs abilities like charity, gain, enjoyment, etc.

11. The Eleventh Bol: Fourteen Gunasthanas (Stages of Spiritual Development)

    • Concept: Outlines the fourteen stages of spiritual progress a soul traverses from its most deluded state to complete liberation.
    • Details: These stages represent increasing purity and reduction of karmic bondage, starting from deluded perception (Mithya-drishti) and progressing through stages of partial and complete renunciation, self-control, and culminating in the omniscient states (Sanyogi Kevali and Ayogi Kevali) and finally, liberation (Siddha).

12. The Twelfth Bol: Twenty-Three Objects of the Five Senses

    • Concept: Elaborates on the specific objects that each of the five senses can perceive.
    • Details: Categorizes the objects for hearing (sound), sight (colors), smell (fragrances), taste (tastes), and touch (sensations), detailing the specific nuances and variations within each category.

13. The Thirteenth Bol: Ten Types of Delusion (Mithyatva)

    • Concept: Identifies ten fundamental errors in understanding the true nature of reality, which lead to spiritual delusion and hinder liberation.
    • Details: These include mistaking the non-soul for the soul, the soul for the non-soul, wrong understanding of principles like Dharma (righteousness), conduct (Gurus), and the path to liberation.

14. The Fourteenth Bol: 115 Variations of the Nine Tattvas (Realities)

    • Concept: Breaks down the nine fundamental realities of Jainism into detailed sub-categories.
    • Details: The nine Tattvas are: Jiva (soul), Ajiva (non-soul), Punya (merit karma), Papa (demerit karma), Asrava (influx of karma), Samvara (cessation of karma influx), Nirjara (shedding of karma), Bandha (bondage of karma), and Moksha (liberation). The text details numerous sub-divisions within each of these, particularly for Jiva and Ajiva.

15. The Fifteenth Bol: Eight Types of the Soul (Atma)

    • Concept: Describes the soul in its various states and attributes.
    • Details:
      • Dravya Atma: The soul as an eternal substance.
      • Kashaya Atma: The soul afflicted by passions (anger, pride, deceit, greed).
      • Yoga Atma: The soul engaged in mental, verbal, and physical activities.
      • Upayoga Atma: The soul possessing consciousness (knowledge and perception).
      • Jnana Atma: The soul characterized by knowledge.
      • Darshan Atma: The soul characterized by perception.
      • Charitra Atma: The soul possessing righteous conduct.
      • Virya Atma: The soul possessing power/energy.

16. The Sixteenth Bol: Twenty-Four Dandas (Categories of Karmic Repercussions)

    • Concept: Classifies the realms and states of existence where souls experience the fruits of their karma.
    • Details: It enumerates specific categories within the four Gatis, such as the seven hellish realms, the ten types of Bhavanapati celestial beings, the five types of immobile beings (Ekendriya), the three types of partially-sensed beings, and specific categories of mobile beings and celestial beings.

17. The Seventeenth Bol: Six Leshyas (Subtle Karmic Dispositions)

    • Concept: Explains the subtle mental and emotional states of the soul, which are influenced by karma and affect one's disposition and experiences.
    • Details: The six Leshyas are: Krishna (black), Nila (blue), Kapota (dove-colored), Tejo (fire-colored), Padma (lotus-colored), and Shukla (white). The first three are considered inauspicious and associated with negative qualities, while the last three are auspicious and associated with positive qualities. The Shukla Leshya represents the highest state of purity, leading towards liberation.

18. The Eighteenth Bol: Three Drishtis (Perspectives/Beliefs)

    • Concept: Categorizes the types of outlook or perspective a soul holds regarding reality.
    • Details:
      • Samyak Drishti: Righteous or correct perspective, aligned with true principles.
      • Mithya Drishti: Wrong or deluded perspective.
      • Mishra Drishti: Mixed or wavering perspective, oscillating between right and wrong views.

19. The Nineteenth Bol: Four Dhyanas (Meditations)

    • Concept: Describes the four types of mental concentration, two of which are detrimental and two are beneficial for spiritual progress.
    • Details:
      • Arta Dhyana: Sorrowful meditation (due to loss or suffering).
      • Raudra Dhyana: Fierce meditation (associated with violence, anger, etc.).
      • Dharma Dhyana: Righteous meditation (focusing on Dharma and virtuous conduct).
      • Shukla Dhyana: Pure meditation (leading to the shedding of karma and liberation).

20. The Twentieth Bol: Thirty Variations of the Six Substances (Dravyas)

    • Concept: Provides a detailed explanation of the six fundamental substances (Jiva, Ajiva - further divided into Dharma, Adharma, Akasha, Kala, Pudgala) that constitute the universe.
    • Details: For each substance, it elaborates on its nature, extent, duration, characteristics, and qualities, using illustrative examples.

21. The Twenty-First Bol: Two Rays (Groups of Existence)

    • Concept: Classifies all existence into two broad categories: conscious and non-conscious entities.
    • Details:
      • Jiva Rashi: All conscious souls, whether bound or liberated.
      • Ajiva Rashi: All non-conscious substances, including Dharma, Adharma, Akasha, Kala, and Pudgala.

22. The Twenty-Second Bol: Twelve Vows of a Lay Follower (Shravaka)

    • Concept: Outlines the ethical and spiritual practices undertaken by householders (Shravakas/Shravikas) to limit karmic influx and progress spiritually.
    • Details: These are divided into:
      • Five Anuvratas (Minor Vows): Limited abstention from violence, falsehood, stealing, illicit sexual conduct, and excessive accumulation.
      • Three Gunavratas (Augmenting Vows): Vows to limit direction, consumption, and purposeless harm.
      • Four Shikshavratas (Training Vows): Practices to cultivate spiritual discipline, such as daily meditation, temporary vows, and charitable giving.

23. The Twenty-Third Bol: Five Great Vows of an Ascetic (Sadhu)

    • Concept: Describes the absolute and complete commitment to non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, and non-possession undertaken by Jain monks and nuns.
    • Details: These Mahavratas are observed with the strictest adherence, without any exceptions in thought, word, or deed.

24. The Twenty-Fourth Bol: Forty-Six Deviations/Variations (Bhangas)

    • Concept: This section, titled "Bhang," details the various ways one can transgress or incompletely observe vows, categorizing them based on the nature of the act (doing, causing to do, approving) and the means (mind, speech, body), and combinations thereof. It highlights the nuances of commitment and the potential for minor lapses.

25. The Twenty-Fifth Bol: Five Types of Conduct/Character (Charitra)

    • Concept: Explains the stages of righteous conduct or spiritual discipline that a soul progresses through towards liberation.
    • Details:
      • Samayika Charitra: Equanimity and concentration.
      • Chhedopasthapana Charitra: Re-initiation or amendment of vows due to transgressions or changes in religious orders.
      • Parigraha Vishuddhi Charitra: Purification through specific ascetic practices.
      • Sukshma Samparaya Charitra: Conduct characterized by extremely subtle passions (greed).
      • Yathakhyata Charitra: Perfect, natural, and passionless conduct, characteristic of liberated souls (Siddhas).

Overall Significance: "Pacchis Bol" is a practical guide that breaks down complex Jain doctrines into digestible principles. It emphasizes ethical conduct, spiritual discipline, and the understanding of the soul's journey through different realms of existence, all within the framework of Jain philosophy. The book aims to equip the reader with the fundamental knowledge necessary for spiritual growth and liberation.