Palipathavali - Book Summary | JainGPT

This document is a catalog entry and partial text of the "Palipathavali" (पालिपाठावली), edited by Muni Jinvijay (मुनि जिनविजय) and published by Gujarat Puratattva Mandir (गुजरात पुरातत्त्व मन्दिर) in Ahmedabad (अहदाबाद). The publication date is Vikram Samvat 1978, which corresponds to 1921 CE.

Here's a breakdown of the provided information:

1. Catalog and Title Information:

Book Title: Palipathavali (पालिपाठावली)
Author: Muni Jinvijay (मुनि जिनविजय)
Publisher: Gujarat Puratattva Mandir, Ahmedabad (गुजरात पुरातत्त्व मन्दिर, अमदाबाद)
Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/003407/1
Note: The text mentions "JAIN EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL FOR PRIVATE AND PERSONAL USE ONLY" indicating its educational and restricted nature.

2. Editorial and Publishing Details:

The preface (प्रास्ताविक नोंध) explains the significance of Pali language and literature.
It highlights that Pali is the primary language of Buddhist literature, containing the teachings of Lord Siddhartha Gautam.
It notes that while Buddhism has largely disappeared from India, its literature and language are still prevalent in Sri Lanka, Siam, and Burma.
The introduction mentions that Mumbai and Calcutta Universities have introduced Pali literature as an optional subject, leading to an increase in students studying it in India.
The author emphasizes the importance of studying Prakrit and Pali alongside Sanskrit for a comprehensive understanding of ancient Indian religions (Brahmanism, Jainism, and Buddhism).
The book is designed for the first-year students of the Arya Vidya Mandir of Gujarat Rashtriya Vidyapeeth.
The "Palipathavali" is based on Professor Dines Andersen's "Pali Reader" from the University of Copenhagen.
The editor acknowledges the contribution of Shri Nanalaal Nathabhai Shah from the Rajchandra Jnanbhandar library of the Gujarat Puratattva Mandir for his help in proofreading and checking the copy.

3. Content (Table of Contents and Partial Text): The table of contents (अनुक्रमणिका) lists 94 entries, indicating a comprehensive collection of Pali texts. The provided text includes the beginning of several of these:

1. Susumarajataka (सुंसुमारजातक): The first section details a story about a Bodhisattva in the form of a monkey king who outwits a crocodile.
2. Vanarindajataka (वानरिन्दजातक): Another story about a Bodhisattva in monkey form outsmarting a crocodile.
3. Bakajataka (बकजातक): A story about a heron deceiving and eating fish.
4. Sihachamajataka (सीहचम्म-जातक): A tale about a donkey disguised in a lion's skin.
5. Radhajataka (राध-जातक): A story involving a parrot and a Brahmin's wife.
6. Nacajataka (नच्च-जातक): A story about a peacock's dance and a swan princess.
7. Ulukajataka (उलूक-जातक): A story about owls and their failed attempt to elect a king.
8. Kurungamiragajataka (कुरुङ्गमिग-जातक): A story of friendship and mutual support between a deer, a swan, and a tortoise.
9. Javasakunajataka (जवसकुण-जातक): A story about a bird helping a lion.
10. Sasa-Jataka (सस-जातक): A story about a rabbit's self-sacrifice.
11. Matakabhata-Jataka (मतकभत्त-जातक): A story about the consequences of karma and the importance of good conduct.
12. Baveru-Jataka (बावेरु-जातक): A story comparing the value of a crow and a peacock.
13. Valahassajataka (बलाहस्स-जातक): A tale about a magical horse (Bodhisattva) saving merchants from Yakshinis.
14. Supparaka-Jataka (सुप्पारक-जातक): A detailed account of a skilled navigator named Supparaka, his adventures at sea, and his encounter with various phenomena.
15. Silanisansajataka (सीलानिसंस-जातक): A story highlighting the merit of virtue and the importance of good company, involving a merchant, a Bodhisattva, and a sea deity.
16. Chamasataka-Jataka (चम्मसाटक-जातक): A story about the consequences of disrespect and violence.
17. Ucchanga-Jataka (उच्छङ्ग-जातक): A brief mention of a story involving a mother's love for her child.
18. Vedabbha-Jataka (वेदब्भ-जातक): A story about a Brahmin who knows a mantra for rain and the unfortunate consequences of greed.
19. Rajovada-Jataka (राजोवाद-जातक): A story about wise kings and the importance of virtue and good governance, featuring a dialogue between two kings' charioteers.
20. Makhadeva-Jataka (मखादेव-जातक): A story about a king who renounced his kingdom upon seeing the first white hair.
21. Mahosadha's Arrival (महोसधस्स आवाहो): A story about Mahosadha's intelligence and how he chooses his wife.
22. Mahosadha's Judgment (महोसधस्स विनिच्छयो): A story about Mahosadha's wisdom in settling a dispute over a child.
23. Battle of Gods and Demons (सकासुरयुद्धं): A description of the conflict between Indra (Sakka) and the Asuras.
24. Buddha's Conception (महामायाय सुपिनं): A description of Queen Maya's dream before the conception of the Buddha.
25. Buddha's Birth (बुद्धस्स उप्पत्ति): A description of the Buddha's miraculous birth.
26. The Four Omens (चत्तारि पुब्बनिमित्तानि): The story of Prince Siddhartha encountering old age, sickness, death, and a renunciate, which leads him to seek enlightenment.
27. The Great Renunciation (महाभिनिक्खमनं): The story of Prince Siddhartha leaving his palace to become an ascetic.
28. Dependent Origination (पटिच्चसमुप्पादो): A philosophical discourse on the chain of causation in Buddhism.
29. Setting the Wheel of Dharma in Motion (धम्मचक्कपवत्तनसुत्त): The Buddha's first sermon after attaining enlightenment, explaining the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.
30. Yasapabbajja (यसपब्बज्जा): The story of Yasa, a wealthy young man who renounced his worldly life and became a disciple of the Buddha.
31. The Discourse on Fire (आदित्तपरियायं): The Buddha's discourse on the impermanence and suffering of existence, describing the world as being consumed by the fires of greed, hatred, and delusion.
32. Marakassaka (मारकस्सक): A confrontation between the Buddha and Mara, the tempter.
33. Sundari's Death (सुन्दरिमारणं): The story of Sundari, a laywoman, being murdered and falsely blamed on the Buddha's disciples, and how the Buddha revealed the truth.
34. Devadatta's Enmity towards the Buddha (देवदत्तस्स बुद्धोपरि देसो): Accounts of Devadatta's attempts to harm the Buddha, including the incident with the elephant Nalagiri.
35. Buddha's journey to Chunda's home (बुद्धस्स चुन्दगिहे गमनं): The Buddha's final meal before his passing.
36. Buddha's Parinibbana (बुद्धनिब्बाणं): The account of the Buddha's death and final nirvana.
37. The Ten Precepts (दससीलानि): The ten moral precepts for novices (samana) in Buddhism.
38. The 32 Parts of the Body (सरीरस्स ३२ विभागा): A detailed enumeration of the parts of the human body.
39. Questions for Novices (सामणेरपञ्हानि): A series of questions and answers related to Buddhist doctrine for young monks.
40. Rules for Novices (सेक्खधम्मा): Guidelines for the conduct and behavior of novice monks.
41. Sukara-petakatha (सूकरपेतकथा): A story about a ghost (peta) with a pig's snout, illustrating the consequences of negative karma.
42. Pesakaradhita-katha (पेसकारधीताकथा): A story about a potter's daughter who contemplates death and finds refuge in the Buddha's teachings.
43. Uttiyapanhani (उत्तियपहानि): A dialogue between the Buddha and Uttiya the wanderer on philosophical questions about the nature of reality.
44. Malunkyaputta's questions to the Buddha (मालुक्यापुत्तस्स बुद्धोदेसो): A discourse where the Buddha explains why certain metaphysical questions remain unanswered, focusing on the practical path to liberation.
45. Dialogue between the Buddha and Vaccha (बुद्धस्स वच्छगोत्तेन संवादो): A conversation where the Buddha clarifies his stance on metaphysical questions and emphasizes the path to liberation.
46. Right View (सम्मादिहि): An explanation of Right View as understanding the impermanence and suffering of existence.
47. Padhanasutta (पधानसुत्त): A discourse on the effort and struggle required for spiritual practice.
48. Dhaniyasutta (धानियसुत्त): A dialogue between the Buddha and a cowherd named Dhaniya, discussing detachment and the bliss of nirvana.
49. Dhammapada (धम्मपद): Selections from the Dhammapada, verses on Buddhist ethics and philosophy.
50. Malunkyaputta's verses (मालुक्यापुत्तगाथा): Verses attributed to Malunkyaputta.
51. Mahapajapati Gotami's verses (महापजापतीगोतमीगाथा): Verses attributed to Mahapajapati Gotami, the Buddha's aunt and foster mother.
52. Kapirajachariya (कपिराजचरियं): A story about a monkey king.
53. Mahakassapa's Council (महाकस्सपस्स संगीति): An account of the First Buddhist Council led by Mahakassapa.
54. Singhala's Victory (सिंहलविजय): A story about Prince Vijaya's conquest of Sri Lanka.
55. Buddhaghosa (बुद्धघोस): The biography of Buddhaghosa, the renowned commentator on Buddhist scriptures.

In essence, "Palipathavali" is an educational compilation of significant Pali texts, particularly from the Jataka stories and other canonical Buddhist scriptures, intended for the study of Pali language and Buddhist philosophy. The content ranges from ethical teachings and parables to profound philosophical discussions and historical accounts of the Buddha and his disciples.