Prakrit Evam Sanskrit Jain Granth Bhumikao Ke Aalekh

This book, "Prakrit evam Sanskrit Jain Granth Bhumikao ke Aalekh" (Essays on the Introductions of Jain Texts in Prakrit and Sanskrit) by Dr. Sagarmal Jain, published by Prachya Vidyapith Shajapur, is a collection of scholarly essays focusing on the introductions of various significant Jain texts written in Prakrit and Sanskrit. The book is part of a larger series, "Sagarmal Jain Aalekh Sangrah" (Collection of Essays by Sagarmal Jain), and this particular volume is part 5, dedicated to introductory essays.

Dr. Sagarmal Jain is recognized as a highly learned scholar of Jainology and Indian knowledge systems. His writings, spanning over 50 years, have appeared in various journals and as introductions to Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Hindi works. The compilation of these scattered writings is an effort to bring his extensive scholarship together. The publisher acknowledges that Dr. Jain has authored over 320 articles and has written numerous detailed introductions to Jain texts and works related to Jain dharma and culture. The intention behind this compilation is to gather his dispersed essays, inspired by a suggestion to collect his valuable but fragmented writings. The publication acknowledges the challenges in this endeavor, including the need for re-typing and proofreading due to the variety of fonts and formats of the original publications.

The book is organized with a table of contents, and the primary content of this volume, as indicated by the table of contents and subsequent pages, is an in-depth analysis of the Introduction to the Ācārāṅgasūtra.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and analyses presented in the introduction to the Ācārāṅgasūtra:

• Linguistic and Stylistic Analysis: The essay meticulously examines the language and style of the Ācārāṅgasūtra, noting its ancient Ardhamāgadhī origins. It highlights the linguistic differences between the first and second Shrutaskandhas, suggesting a temporal gap between them. The influence of Māhārāṣṭrī Prakrit is also discussed, with the conclusion that it is negligible in the first Shrutaskandha. The author hypothesizes that the distinctiveness might be due to the text's long oral tradition or the possibility of later additions.
• Psychological Depth of Ācārāṅga: A significant portion of the essay is dedicated to exploring the profound psychological perspective of the Ācārāṅgasūtra. It argues that the text’s treatment of conduct (ācāra) is deeply rooted in psychological principles. The very beginning of the Sūtra, with questions about existential selfhood ("Am I? Am I not?"), is presented as the primordial human inquiry that forms the basis of religious and ethical consciousness.
• The Importance of Doubt in Truth Seeking: The essay highlights a striking aspect of Ācārāṅga's philosophy: it considers doubt (saṃśaya) not as an impediment but as a crucial stage in the pursuit of truth. This is contrasted with blind faith, suggesting an emphasis on rational inquiry and critical thinking. The author connects this to modern scientific methodology, where skepticism is a prerequisite for progress.
• The Nature of the Soul and Knowledge: The text analyzes the Ācārāṅga's view of the soul, where knowledge (vijñāna) is equated with the soul's true nature. While modern psychology identifies cognition, emotion, and conation as key aspects, Ācārāṅga primarily emphasizes the soul as the knower. The author posits that the emphasis on the "knower" aspect of the soul is to facilitate the attainment of equanimity and liberation, as emotional states and volitions are seen as impediments to such states.
• The Mind as the Starting Point for Sadhana: The essay elaborates on the Ācārāṅga's perspective on the mind. It states that the first step for a Nigrantha (ascetic) is to understand the mind and then prevent its defilement. This understanding is likened to diagnosing a disease to cure it, aligning with modern psychoanalytic methods. The text underscores the importance of constant awareness of one's mental states (apramāditā).
• Internal vs. External Bonds: The Ācārāṅga emphasizes that bondage and liberation are internal states, dependent on one's mental disposition (adhyavasāya) and mental states (manovṛttis). Attachment, possessiveness, and ignorance are identified as the roots of suffering, leading to violence and a hellish existence.
• The Interconnectedness of Emotions (Kaṣāyas): The essay discusses the Ācārāṅga's insight into the relative nature of emotions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed. It suggests that understanding one emotion leads to understanding others, and mastery over one leads to mastery over all. This interconnectedness is presented as a purely psychological observation, crucial for overcoming the cycle of negative emotions.
• The Way of the Witness (Draṣṭā): The text highlights the Ācārāṅga's prescription of the "witness" attitude (draṣṭā or sākṣībhāva) as the means to conquer emotions. By observing one's thoughts and emotions without engagement, they naturally dissolve. This is likened to a vigilant householder preventing thieves from entering.
• Psychological Basis of Ahimsā (Non-violence): The essay delves into the psychological underpinnings of Ahimsā as presented in Ācārāṅga. It argues that Ahimsā is not based on fear, as some modern scholars suggest, but on the innate desire for life (jijīviṣā) and the aversion to suffering (duḥkha) common to all beings. Furthermore, the principle of equanimity (tulyatā bodha) – understanding another's pain through one's own experience – is presented as the foundation of Ahimsā. The text even goes as far as to suggest that inflicting harm on another is akin to harming oneself, pointing towards a unified self-consciousness.
• The Psychological Interpretation of Dharma: Ācārāṅga presents Ahimsā, Samādhi (equanimity), and Prajñā (wisdom) as the path to liberation. The essay discusses the inward progression of spiritual practice, moving from external purity to internal purity, which is seen as a more psychological approach. The text identifies Ahimsā and Samatā (equanimity) as the core of Dharma. The author elaborates on Samatā as the natural state of the soul, drawing parallels with modern concepts of dynamic equilibrium in life sciences.
• The Role of Repentance and Correction: The essay discusses the psychological validity of repentance (pratikramaṇa) and correction in spiritual practice. The Ācārāṅgasūtra, through its emphasis on understanding and correcting mental states, aligns with modern psychological approaches to self-improvement and mental well-being.

In essence, Dr. Sagarmal Jain's essay provides a detailed and insightful analysis of the Ācārāṅgasūtra, emphasizing its profound psychological underpinnings and its relevance to understanding human conduct and spiritual development from a psychological perspective. The collection aims to make such valuable scholarly contributions accessible to a wider audience.