Purn Vivaran - Book Summary | JainGPT

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Purn Vivaran" (Full Description), based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Purn Vivaran (पूर्ण विवरण) Author(s): Jain Tattva Prakashini Sabha (श्री जैन तत्त्वप्रकाशिनी सभा) Publisher: Jain Tattva Prakashini Sabha (श्री जैन तत्त्वप्रकाशिनी सभा) Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/032024/1

Overall Purpose: The book "Purn Vivaran" by the Jain Tattva Prakashini Sabha is a detailed account of a significant series of events, primarily focusing on the eighteen-day tour (or program) of the Sabha and the prelude to a debate in Ajmer. It documents the efforts of the Jain community to promote Jainism and its philosophy, particularly in response to the activities of the Arya Samaj.

Key Sections and Themes:

Introduction and Context:
- The book highlights the establishment of the Shri Jain Kumar Sabha in Ajmer by enthusiastic and educated Jain youth.
- It acknowledges the decline in the propagation of Jainism due to various reasons, including the lack of dedicated efforts and the influence of other religious groups.
- It notes that some Jain youth, lacking engagement in Jain activities, were joining organizations like the Arya Samaj.
- The Jain Tattva Prakashini Sabha, based in Etawah, aimed to counter this trend by actively propagating Jain Dharma through lectures, writings, and question-and-answer sessions.
The Ajmer Event (June 28 - July 1, 1912):
- Announcing the First Anniversary Celebration: The book details the advertisement for the first anniversary of the Shri Jain Kumar Sabha in Ajmer.
- Jain Tattva Prakashini Sabha's Participation: The esteemed Jain Tattva Prakashini Sabha was invited to Ajmer, boosting the morale of the local Jain youth.
- Program Details: The event included a Rath Yatra, Nagar Kirtan, bhajans, discourses, and crucially, Shanka Samadhan (question-and-answer sessions).
- Rules for Shanka Samadhan: Specific rules were laid out for public and private question-and-answer sessions, emphasizing written questions, adherence to Jain principles, and respectful conduct.
The Clash with Arya Samaj:
- Arya Samaj's Response: The Arya Samaj in Ajmer, aware of the growing influence of the Jain Tattva Prakashini Sabha, feared that the Sabha's presence would expose the weaknesses of their own philosophy and potentially draw away Jain youth.
- Arya Samaj's Strategy: To counter this, the Arya Samaj initiated a campaign to criticize Jainism, intending to occupy the Jain scholars' time with rebuttals and prevent them from challenging the Arya Samaj.
- Swami Darshanananda's Lecture: Swami Darshanananda of the Arya Samaj delivered a lecture on "Jainiyon ki Mukti" (The Liberation of Jains), which was criticized for being poorly researched and for unjustly cutting short a Jain youth's questions.
The Debates and Critiques:
- Critique of Swami Darshanananda's Lecture: The Jain Kumar Sabha responded by issuing an advertisement for a critique of Swami Darshanananda's lecture.
- Speech by Kunwar Tikamchand: The first meeting featured a welcome address and a presidential speech by Kunwar Tikamchand, who praised the work of the Jain Tattva Prakashini Sabha and emphasized the need for Jain organizations. He also spoke about the philosophical strengths of Jainism and its potential global appeal, referencing the growing vegetarian movement in the West.
- Critique of Swami Darshanananda's Pamphlets: The book details the critique of Swami Darshanananda's pamphlets, "Jainyon se Prashn" (Questions to Jains) and "Jainmat Samiksha" (Review of Jain Principles), by Kunwar Digvijaysinhji. This involved a series of published challenges and counter-challenges.
- The Core Debate: Is God the Creator of the Universe? The central theme of the public debates was the existence and role of God as the creator of the universe, a core tenet of Arya Samaj philosophy that the Jain scholars aimed to refute.
- Oral Debates: Two significant oral debates took place:
  - Pandit Gopal Dasji (Jain) vs. Swami Darshanananda (Arya Samaj) on June 30, 1912: This debate focused on the creation of the universe by God. The Jain side argued that an immutable and all-pervading God could not be the creator, as it would violate principles of causality and natural laws.
  - Pandit Manikchandji (Jain) vs. Pandit Yagduttji Shastri (Arya Samaj) on July 6, 1912: This debate also touched upon creation and critique of Vedic scriptures, with the Jain side highlighting the purported inconsistencies and flaws in Vedic texts and interpretation.
- Controversial Figure: Pandit Durga Dutt: A former Arya Samaj preacher, Pandit Durga Dutt, who had recently converted to Jainism, was a significant figure. The Arya Samaj tried to win him back, leading to a public announcement by Pandit Durga Dutt seemingly retracting his criticism of the Vedas. However, the Jain Tattva Prakashini Sabha countered this, explaining the pressures he faced and his eventual reaffirmation of Jain principles.
- Written Debate: Following the oral debates, a formal written debate on the creation of the universe was agreed upon, with specific rules for submission and response. This debate continued for an extended period, with numerous publications and counter-publications exchanged.
Themes and Arguments:
- Causality: A central argument from the Jain side was that anything created must have a cause, and if God is immutable, He cannot cause change.
- Nature of God: The Jain scholars questioned the attributes of God as described by the Arya Samaj, particularly regarding His role as a creator, His immutability, and His relationship with the universe. They argued that if God is all-pervading and immutable, He cannot actively create or destroy.
- Nature of the Soul and Liberation: The Jain perspective on liberation (Moksha) was presented, contrasting it with the Arya Samaj's views.
- Critique of Vedas: The Jain scholars, particularly through Pandit Durga Dutt and others, critiqued the Vedas, questioning their divine origin and content.
- Purity of Jainism: The book emphasizes that Jainism is not atheistic or a branch of Buddhism, but a pure and beneficial religion offering peace and happiness.
- The Role of Organizations: The importance of Jain organizations like the Jain Tattva Prakashini Sabha and the Jain Kumar Sabha was highlighted for their role in education, propagation, and unity.
- The Importance of Knowledge and Character: The text stresses the need for Jain youth to acquire knowledge and develop good character to effectively promote their faith.
Conclusion of the Ajmer Event:
- The event concluded successfully with widespread participation, positive impact on public understanding of Jainism, and reaffirmed the commitment of the Jain community to its faith.
- The debates and critiques were intended to be published for wider dissemination.

In essence, "Purn Vivaran" serves as a historical record of the Jain Tattva Prakashini Sabha's active engagement in defending and propagating Jainism during a period of religious discourse and challenge from other religious groups, particularly the Arya Samaj, with the Ajmer event being a focal point of this activity.