Sadbhavna

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Sadbhavna" by Acharya Padmasagarsuri, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Sadbhavna Author: Acharya Padmasagarsuri Publisher: Ashtmangal Foundation

Overall Theme: The book "Sadbhavna" (meaning goodwill, harmony, or positive sentiment) is a collection of thoughts and teachings by Acharya Padmasagarsuri, emphasizing the critical need for goodwill and harmonious coexistence in the world. It presents these ideals as the solution to the prevalent discord, conflict, and moral decay in contemporary society. The text advocates for a return to ethical principles, self-reflection, and compassion as the path to individual and societal well-being.

Key Themes and Arguments:

• The Absence of Goodwill: The book opens by highlighting the pervasive lack of goodwill in the world, suggesting it's a disease affecting humanity. Acharya Padmasagarsuri presents this text as a remedy for this affliction, particularly in the context of "World Goodwill Day."
• The Power of Words and Feelings: Words gain significance when infused with genuine feelings. When coupled with positive emotions, they can transform life and create a pleasant environment for change.
• The World as a Battlefield: The text posits that the disregard for scriptures and the lack of spiritual understanding have turned the world into a battlefield. People are engaged in conflict, both externally and internally, believing that peace can only come after fighting. However, it asserts that conflict never truly leads to lasting peace.
• The Consequences of Conflict: An example is given of two landlords ruined by legal battles, where the winner lost everything except his loincloth, and the loser lost even that. This illustrates the destructive nature of disputes.
• Critique of Superficial Peace Efforts: The book criticizes those who talk about world peace, compassion, and humanity but are merely speakers. They organize events and give speeches, creating an illusion of revolutionary change. True constructive change, it argues, comes from instilling good thoughts and ethical conduct.
• The Jain Solution of Forgiveness (Kshamapana): Jain culture prescribes the annual practice of Kshamapana (seeking and offering forgiveness) as a medicine. Life is filled with mistakes and conflicts. Forgiveness is presented as the means to heal past hurts, animosity, and grudges, leading to health in the form of friendship and goodwill.
• The Principle of Anecdotism (Anekant): Drawing an analogy to rivers merging into the ocean, the text highlights the strength of Aryan culture (specifically referencing Jainism) in its ability to synthesize different philosophies and ideologies through an anekant (many-sided) perspective. It emphasizes that a shift in viewpoint is all that's needed.
• Overcoming Selfishness and Narrowness: The book stresses that conflicts will persist as long as individuals remain confined to their own narrow selves and live only for selfish reasons. To foster peace and harmony, it's essential to rise above pettiness and narrow-mindedness and dedicate thoughts to the welfare of others (Paramarth).
• Living a Life of Service and Compassion: Life is a gift for vigilance, love, goodwill, serving and helping others, and building a foundation of forgiveness and friendship. It encourages creating spaces (metaphorically or literally) where the divine state (Paramatma-dasha) can manifest without invitation.
• The Power of Positive Thinking: Positive thinking is presented as the reality of life, while opposition and rebellion are seen as symbols of a hateful and shallow mindset. Adopting a mindset of inclusivity and resolving problems with love opens the doors to success.
• The True Nature of Religion: The true essence of religion (Dharma) never becomes irreligious. While outward packaging might change, the core product remains pure. The focus should be on the inner substance rather than the external form. Dharma is defined as that which upholds a soul descending into a state of suffering (durgati) and guides it towards a good destination (sadgati). It nurtures good thoughts and conveys the message of virtuous conduct. True Dharma is free from attachment or stubbornness of thought and serves as a means of self-purification.
• The Decline of Human Values: The text laments that concepts like belonging (apnapan) and goodwill are now confined to scriptures and dictionaries. It warns that the selfish interests of leaders and social workers will taint history if goodwill doesn't re-emerge. Goodwill is presented as the only option for a civilization facing destruction.
• The Subjectivity of Perception: We perceive the world through our own viewpoints and try to understand it according to our thoughts. This is identified as a primary cause of conflict and problems. Adopting a spiritual perspective, guided by sacred scriptures, can transform life into a paradise.
• The Loss of Past Virtues: The book contrasts the past, when guests were treated as divine and hospitality was abundant (even offering milk instead of water), with the present, where a lack of goodwill has led to scarcity.
• Erosion of Trust and Morality: It highlights historical accounts of India's honesty, citing a Chinese traveler who found no locks on doors. Today, even shoes are stolen from the steps of temples dedicated to revered figures like Ram, Krishna, and Mahavir, indicating a stark decline in societal trust and morality.
• The Folly of War: Referencing the devastating consequences of World War II (millions dead, injured, and vast destruction), the text questions the persistent belief that war leads to life, calling for immediate wisdom and discretion.
• True Kingship is in the Heart: Delhi's rulers are forgotten after their reign, leaving only a temporary mark on history. However, those who rule hearts are remembered for centuries, their essence sung in songs. The secret to ruling hearts is "Sadbhavna."
• The Subtle Invasion of Western Culture: The book warns against the "storm" of Western culture, which isn't attacking with bombs but with media like magazines, radio, and TV, eroding our intellectual purity. This "sugar-coated poison" of negative thoughts, if not guarded against, will destroy all goodwill.
• The Symbolism of Numbers 36 and 63: Life has become like the number '36', with its digits facing opposite directions, symbolizing dispute and division. The call is to eliminate discord and discrimination and live like '63', where the digits represent dialogue and cooperation. This symbolizes the immense power of conversation and collaboration.
• The True Meaning of Secularism and Dharma: The author criticizes governments for neglecting religion. India, he asserts, is not secular but dharma-sapeksh (religion-dependent). Religion is not just about temples and mosques (which are just different arrangements of faith), but about life's duty and the eternal path to infinite happiness for all beings.
• The Unrecognized Human Connection: Despite advancements in science, exploring space, earth, and oceans, humanity has failed to recognize its fellow human beings. Until this recognition occurs, all achievements and development narratives are incomplete.
• Focusing on the Present: Dwelling on the past is futile. The present should be the focus, to ensure the past doesn't look back with reproach. The future is built by passing through the present.
• The Destructive Nature of Criticism: The thought of criticizing someone indicates that one is also afflicted by the same ailment. People criticize to feel superior, forgetting that criticism itself is condemnable and a form of malice. A person filled with goodwill never engages in criticism.
• The Divine Within: God is not an external entity but the most evolved, pure, and spotless form of the soul. Every soul has the potential to become divine by purifying itself.
• True Wisdom is Self-Analysis: True knowledge isn't about uncovering nature's secrets but about analyzing, examining, and understanding the secrets of one's own life. Inner consciousness is more mysterious than nature itself.

In essence, "Sadbhavna" is a call to spiritual awakening and ethical living, advocating for the cultivation of positive qualities like empathy, forgiveness, and mutual respect as the fundamental pillars for a peaceful and meaningful existence. It critiques societal ills and offers Jain philosophy as a guiding force for individual transformation and collective harmony.