Purusharthsiddhyupay English

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Purushartha Siddhyupaya" based on the provided pages:

Overall Purpose and Significance:

"Purushartha Siddhyupaya" (The Means to the Attainment of the Object of Man) is a treatise of high authority on Ahimsa (non-violence), which is presented as the root principle of Jainism. The book aims to provide a clear understanding of Ahimsa and guide the reader towards its practice for spiritual liberation. It emphasizes that Ahimsa is not merely a dietary choice but a fundamental ethical and spiritual principle that permeates all aspects of life.

Core Jain Philosophical Concepts:

The text introduces fundamental Jain philosophical concepts:

• Anekantavada: The doctrine of manifold viewpoints, which reconciles seemingly contradictory philosophical perspectives and highlights the limitations of one-sided or incomplete knowledge.
• Jiva and Ajiva: The distinction between soul (consciousness) and non-soul (matter and other non-living substances).
• The Three Jewels (Ratna Traya):
  • Right Belief (Samyak Darshana): Firm and unshakeable conviction in the true nature of reality, free from doubt, prejudice, or superstition.
  • Right Knowledge (Samyak Jnana): Accurate and comprehensive understanding of the principles, acquired through scriptures, reasoning, and contemplation.
  • Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra): Restraint of all censurable activities and the practice of virtues.
• Karma: The fine particles of matter that attach to the soul due to its impure thought activities, influencing its experiences and leading to transmigration. The text details various types of karmas and their effects.
• Arambhi and Samkalpi Himsa: Distinctions are made between unavoidable Himsa arising from occupations (Arambhi) and intentional Himsa (Samkalpi) committed without justification.

The Centrality of Ahimsa:

The book extensively argues for the paramount importance of Ahimsa, defining it as:

• Injury to Vitalities: Not just physical violence but also injury to the vitalities (consciousness, senses, life-span) of any living being, caused by carelessness or passion.
• Internal and External Himsa: Himsa is not only external actions but also internal thought-activities driven by passions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed. The absence of these passions is considered Ahimsa.
• Consequences of Himsa: Himsa leads to suffering, sin, and bondage of karma, hindering spiritual progress.
• Practical Application: While the highest form of Ahimsa is practiced by saints, householders are encouraged to practice it to the best of their abilities, renouncing intentional Himsa and minimizing unavoidable Himsa.

Critique of Himsa in Various Forms:

The text provides a detailed critique of Himsa practiced in various contexts, often disguised as duty, necessity, or even mercy:

• Religious Sacrifices: Condemns animal and human sacrifices performed in the name of religion or to appease deities.
• Food: Argues against meat-eating, highlighting the Himsa involved in procuring flesh and the presence of life in food items. It also advises against consuming honey, wine, and certain fruits (Udumbaras) due to the Himsa involved.
• Sport and Amusement: Denounces hunting, fishing, and other activities considered "sport" as cruel and cowardly acts.
• Self-Defense and Necessity: Discusses the nuances of causing injury when defending oneself or others, emphasizing that the intention behind the act is crucial.
• Science and Medicine: Critiques practices like vivisection and vaccination, highlighting the suffering inflicted on animals in the name of scientific advancement or public health.
• Social Customs: Addresses Himsa perpetuated through social habits like eating together from the same dish or kissing.
• War and Politics: Criticizes political Himsa and mass killing, even when justified as national necessity.
• Killing for Trade: Denounces the killing of animals for ivory or skins.
• "Kill the Killer" Argument: Refutes the notion that killing harmful creatures is an act of mercy, suggesting that such animals act out of self-defense and that a non-violent approach can pacify them.
• "Survival of the Fittest": Rejects the idea that lower life forms were created for the use of higher ones.
• Killing in Distress: Argues against mercy killing, stating that suffering is a consequence of past karma and should be alleviated through care, not destruction.

Path to Liberation:

The book outlines a gradual path to spiritual liberation, starting with:

• Right Belief: The foundational step for all spiritual progress.
• Right Knowledge: The understanding that follows right belief.
• Right Conduct: The practice that leads to the destruction of karma.
• Vows and Discipline: The text details the five major vows (Maha-vrata) for saints and the five minor vows (Anu-vrata) for householders, along with supplementary vows (Sheelas) and austerities to strengthen these practices.
• Renunciation: The ultimate goal of complete detachment from worldly possessions and the body, leading to the state of a liberated soul (Siddha).
• Sallekhana: The practice of calm resignation and preparedness for death, seen as an act of Ahimsa that purifies passions.

Humility of the Author:

The author, Amritachandra Suri, concludes with verses expressing humility, stating that the treatise is a compilation of eternal truths and that the credit belongs to the principles themselves, not to him.

In essence, "Purushartha Siddhyupaya" presents Jainism as a practical religion where Ahimsa is the cornerstone, guiding individuals towards spiritual purity, ethical conduct, and ultimately, liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It emphasizes a reasoned and compassionate approach to life, urging readers to introspect their actions and motivations to minimize harm to all living beings.