Rayansar - Book Summary | JainGPT

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Rayansar" by Kundkundacharya and Syadvatvati Mata:

Introduction:

The book "Rayansar" (The Essence of Jewels), authored by Acharya Kundkundacharya and translated by Aryika 105 Syadvadmati Mataji, is presented by the Bharat Varshiya Anekant Vidwat Parishad. The preface highlights the declining adherence to societal and religious laws despite a proliferation of secular laws. It emphasizes the critical need for studying and internalizing religious codes of conduct to achieve both worldly and spiritual well-being. The text posits that ideal citizens are crucial for societal order and that following religious scriptures can alleviate the burden of numerous secular laws. The introduction also draws a parallel between the two wheels of a chariot and the necessity of both householders (Shravaks) and ascetics (Munis) for the progression of Dharma. It underscores that true spiritual progress depends on individuals living up to their respective codes of conduct. The translation is presented as a way to make this profound text accessible to contemporary youth.

Core Teachings and Themes:

"Rayansar" is described as a unique synthesis of scripture (Agam) and spirituality, detailing the conduct of both householders and ascetics. It focuses on the fundamental principles of Jainism, particularly the path to liberation (Moksha).

Key Concepts and Discussions:

Sammyagdrishti (Right Faith/Vision): The text elaborates extensively on what constitutes a truly righteous individual. A Sammyagdrishti is characterized by:
- Adherence to the teachings of Jinendra (the omniscient Tirthankaras) as expounded by the Gandharas and transmitted through the lineage of Acharyas.
- Absence of 44 defects, including 8 types of pride (mad), 3 types of delusion (muddhta), 6 types of improper conduct (anayatan), 8 defects of faith (sankadi dosh), 7 vices (vyasan), 7 fears (bhay), and 5 transgressions (atichar).
- Freedom from worldly attachments, body consciousness, and sensual pleasures.
- Possession of eight qualities of perfect faith (ashta ang samyaktva) such as absence of doubt (nishankita), desire (nishankshita), criticism (nirvichikitsa), and attachment to wrong views (amudrishti), along with upholding right faith (upguhan), establishing it (sthitikaran), compassion (vatsalya), and propagating it (prabhavana).
- Devotion to the Five Supreme Beings (Panch Paramesthi).
Mithyadrushti (Wrong Faith/Vision): Conversely, a Mithyadrushti is defined as one who speaks about Jain principles based on their own limited intellect (mati-shruta gnan) and according to their own whims, deviating from the established teachings. Such individuals are described as being outside the path of Jinendra.
The Root of Moksha: Righteousness (Sammyaktva) is identified as the root of the great tree of liberation. It is understood through both absolute (nischay) and conventional (vyavahar) perspectives.
Qualities of a Sammyagdrishti Householder (Shravak): The text outlines 77 qualities of a householder who possesses right faith. These include adherence to eight fundamental vows (moolgun), twelve subsidiary vows (uttar gun), and freedom from vices, fears, impurities, and hindrances in devotion.
The Importance of Donation (Daan):
- Donation to worthy recipients (supatra) is emphasized as the cause of immense happiness, celestial pleasures, and ultimately, liberation.
- The text details the results of donating in seven fields: worship of Jinabimba (icons), Jinamandir (temples), Jinayatra (pilgrimages), Pancha Kalyanak Mahotsava (celebrations of the five auspicious events in a Tirthankara's life), restoration of Jinatirthas (holy sites), publication of Jinagamas (scriptures), and support for the Jain Sangha (monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen).
- It highlights that worldly enjoyments like becoming a Chakravarti (universal emperor) and possessing immense wealth, good lineage, beauty, knowledge, character, and virtue are all results of donating to worthy individuals.
- The significance of donating even leftover food (sheshann) after feeding monks is mentioned.
- Wisdom in selecting items for donation and understanding the recipient's needs is crucial.
The Perils of Misuse of Religious Funds: The text strongly condemns misappropriating funds meant for temples, rituals, or donations. Such actions lead to severe consequences, including rebirth in hellish realms, physical deformities, diseases, and suffering.
The Nature of Suffering and Happiness: Happiness is derived from the prosperity of wealth and grain, but true and lasting happiness comes from the practice of Dharma and generosity towards monks. Conversely, neglecting these leads to suffering.
The Need for Discrimination in Giving: Just as a good seed yields a good crop in fertile soil, donation yields significant results when given to a worthy recipient. The text emphasizes the importance of discerning between worthy and unworthy recipients.
The Importance of Right Intent and Attitude: The efficacy of donation is influenced by the donor's intention. Donations made with greed or for outward show yield little benefit compared to those made with a pure heart.
Critique of Externalism: The text criticizes those who adopt the outward appearance of ascetics (ling) without inner purification, true knowledge, or genuine renunciation. Such individuals, it states, do not attain liberation.
The Primacy of Right Faith (Sammyaktva): Right faith is presented as the foundational element without which right knowledge and right conduct are incomplete and ultimately futile. It is the first step on the path to liberation.
Causes of Loss of Right Faith: Engaging with false ascetics, wrong knowledge, flawed vows, false doctrines, and speaking praise for such things leads to the loss of right faith.
The Greatness of Right Faith: Right faith is described as the ultimate remedy for all suffering, superior even to worldly possessions, and the source of true happiness.
The Nature of Attachment: The text illustrates the nature of attachment using the example of a moth drawn to flame, signifying how attachment to worldly desires leads to destruction.
The Value of Time: Righteous individuals utilize their time for spiritual pursuits like detachment and knowledge, while the unrighteous waste it on desires, negativity, idleness, and quarrels.
The Era of Decline (Kalyakal): The current era is characterized by an increase in negative emotions and a decline in spiritual purity, leading to a prevalence of self-centeredness and lack of compassion.
The Importance of Inner Purity: While external observances are mentioned, the text repeatedly emphasizes the paramount importance of inner purification, right faith, and detachment from worldly pleasures.
The Role of Ascetics (Munis): Munis are depicted as seekers of truth, practitioners of meditation and study, free from gossip and worldly entanglements. They endure hardships and dedicate themselves to spiritual practice and the welfare of all beings.
The Qualities of a True Ascetic: A true ascetic is free from anger, pride, deceit, greed, envy, attachment to sensory pleasures, and negative states. They are characterized by peace, detachment, knowledge, and devotion to the path of liberation.
The Necessity of Spiritual Discipline: The text stresses that mere external rituals or ascetic practices without right faith and knowledge are insufficient for liberation.
The Significance of Inner Renunciation: True renunciation (vairagya) is an internal state of detachment, not merely an external display.
The Importance of Devotion to Gurus: The text highlights the crucial role of devotion and respect towards spiritual preceptors for the progress of disciples.
The True Path to Liberation: The ultimate goal of life is liberation, which is attained through the purification of the soul via right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

Conclusion:

"Rayansar" serves as a guide for Jains, both laypeople and ascetics, to understand and practice their spiritual duties. It reiterates the core Jain principles of righteousness, detachment, donation to worthy recipients, and the indispensable nature of right faith (Sammyaktva) as the pathway to ultimate bliss and liberation. The text encourages diligent study, contemplation, and practice of these teachings to lead a meaningful and spiritually fulfilling life.