Saddharm Bodh

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Saddharm Bodh" by Amolakrushi Maharaj, based on the provided text:

Book Title: Saddharm Bodh (सद्धर्म-बोध) Author: Balbrahmachari Muni Shri Amolakrushi Maharaj (बालब्रह्मचारी श्री अमोलकऋषिजी महाराज) Publisher: Nanebai Bhartar Lakhmi Chand Gaekwad, Solapur (श्री. नेनीबाई भ्र. लखमीचंद गायकवाड, सोलापुर)

Overview:

"Saddharm Bodh" (True Religious Teachings) is a Jain text authored by Muni Shri Amolakrushi Maharaj, a celibate monk. The book was published by Nanebai and Lakhmi Chand Gaekwad of Solapur. It aims to guide readers towards the "true path of religion" (Saddharm) and emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous and ethical life, rooted in Jain principles.

Key Themes and Contents:

The book can be broadly summarized by the following key themes and teachings:

1. The Distinction Between Humans and Animals:

   • The text begins by highlighting the rarity and preciousness of human birth, stating that humans share basic instincts like eating, sleeping, fear, and reproduction with animals.
   • The fundamental difference and superiority of humans lie in their capacity for "Dharma" (धर्म), meaning righteous conduct and spiritual pursuit. Animals lack the ability to understand and practice Dharma due to their limited intellect and speech.
   • Humans possess faculties like speech, independence, association with good company, and the ability to discern right from wrong, which animals do not.

2. The Importance of Human Birth and the Pitfalls of Adharma:

   • The book strongly warns against wasting this valuable human birth on unrighteous deeds. An unrighteous human is considered worse than an animal (dog or pig).
   • It criticizes those who are learned, wealthy, or powerful but do not engage in righteous actions, knowledge for self-improvement, or acts of charity. Such individuals are seen as a burden on the earth.
   • The text uses various analogies (deer, cow, grass, tree, dust, dog, donkey) to illustrate how even seemingly humble beings possess qualities that make them superior to humans who abandon Dharma.

3. The Essence of Dharma - Ahimsa (Non-violence):

   • A central tenet of the book is the concept of Dharma, and its most crucial aspect is Ahimsa (non-violence).
   • Ahimsa is described as the essence of true knowledge and is universally accepted across different religious scriptures.
   • The book draws extensively from various religious traditions (Jainism, Hinduism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Christianity) to demonstrate that Ahimsa is a common and paramount virtue.
   • It quotes scriptures like the Mahabharata, Vishnu Purana, and the Bible to emphasize compassion and the avoidance of harming any living being.

4. The Six Types of Living Beings (Jiva-kaya):

   • Jain philosophy categorizes living beings into six types: Earth-bodied (Prithvi-kaya), Water-bodied (Ap-kaya), Fire-bodied (Teu-kaya), Air-bodied (Vayu-kaya), Plant-bodied (Vanaspati-kaya), and Mobile-bodied (Trasa-kaya).
   • True adherence to Dharma involves protecting all these forms of life.

5. The Two Paths of Dharma:

   • Sagari Dharma (सागारी धर्म): The path for householders who live in society while practicing religious principles.
   • Angari Dharma (अनगारी धर्म): The path for ascetics who renounce worldly affairs and live a monastic life to dedicate themselves to spiritual practices and the protection of all beings.
   • The book details the strict discipline of monks, including the Pancha-maha-vratas (five great vows), avoidance of night eating, travel without causing harm, and minimal possessions.

6. Dharma for Householders:

   • Recognizing the difficulty for householders to entirely avoid harming the first five types of beings (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Plants) due to their worldly activities, the text emphasizes that the greatest sin lies in harming Trasa-kaya (mobile beings).
   • It stresses the importance of protecting mobile beings and outlines severe consequences (like rebirth in hell for thousands of years) for those who commit violence.

7. Protection of Small Creatures:

   • The book directly addresses the common argument that God created animals for human consumption. It refutes this by:
     • Questioning the creator's motive if they created animals for food.
     • Highlighting that harming a creature that harms you makes one even more "vile."
     • Pointing out the hypocrisy of nurturing children but killing small creatures.
     • Arguing that if a creature causes inconvenience, it should be relocated, not killed.
     • Challenging the logic of worshipping snakes as deities while killing them.
     • Explaining that harming others is a response to their actions, and it's better to avoid causing harm in the first place.
     • Emphasizing that even if one avoids direct harm, the ultimate consequence of one's actions will be faced.
   • The text strongly advocates against killing even the smallest creatures and encourages taking vows for their protection.

8. The Importance of Avoiding Unnecessary Harm (Anarthak Himsa):

   • While acknowledging that some harm to stationary beings might be unavoidable in daily life, the book strongly condemns Anarthak Himsa (unnecessary harm).
   • Examples of Anarthak Himsa include building extra houses, digging without reason, walking on mounds of earth, breaking stones without purpose, bathing in water bodies that pollutes them and harms aquatic life, and disposing of ashes of the dead in water.
   • It also condemns practices like carelessly leaving lights on, not covering containers of liquids, using fire carelessly, and indulging in fireworks, as these can harm various life forms.

9. Dietary Principles and Practices:

   • No Night Eating: A significant emphasis is placed on the prohibition of eating or drinking after sunset. This is due to the increased presence of small organisms in the darkness and the resulting harm caused by consumption.
   • Purified Water: The text advocates for drinking only water that has been filtered through a cloth, as unfiltered water contains countless microorganisms.
   • Food Purity: It discusses the concept of "Maas" (मांस) meaning "mine" in relation to food, implying that consuming food that is not rightfully obtained or is harmful is akin to "meat."

10. Combating the Six Enemies (Shat-ripu):

    • The book provides detailed guidance on overcoming the six inner enemies that hinder spiritual progress:
      • Kaam (काम - Lust): Emphasizes Brahmacharya (celibacy) and seeing women as mothers or sisters. For householders, it suggests limiting sexual activity to procreation.
      • Krodh (क्रोध - Anger): Advises understanding the root of anger, practicing forgiveness, and viewing criticism as an opportunity for self-improvement.
      • Mad (मद - Delusion/Pride): Warns against the dangers of pride stemming from knowledge, wealth, or status, advocating for humility and recognizing one's dependence on past karma.
      • Moh (मोह - Attachment/Illusion): Highlights that attachment to worldly possessions, family, and status is a primary source of suffering. It encourages detachment and the understanding that one is alone in the world.
      • Lobh (लोभ - Greed): Stresses the importance of contentment (Santosh) and recognizing that basic needs are minimal, while excessive accumulation leads to anxiety and further suffering.
      • Matsar (मत्सर - Envy/Jealousy): Advises against envying others' success and instead encourages self-reflection, acceptance of one's own karma, and cultivating positive intentions.

11. The Goal of Self-Preservation (Swa-atma Raksha):

    • Ultimately, the book posits that protecting others (all living beings) is equivalent to protecting oneself. This is because harming others leads to karmic repercussions that the soul must suffer. Conversely, compassion and non-violence lead to spiritual well-being and liberation.

12. Encouragement and Prayers:

    • The book concludes with various devotional songs, prayers, and teachings (stanzas, verses, and couplets) dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras and Gurus, encouraging devotion, righteous conduct, and the pursuit of Moksha (liberation).
    • It includes the fundamental Jain mantra, the Navkar Mantra (णमोकार मंत्र).

In essence, "Saddharm Bodh" is a comprehensive guide to living a life of righteousness and compassion, rooted in Jain principles. It emphasizes the profound value of human life, the paramount importance of Ahimsa, the dangers of attachment and negative emotions, and provides practical guidance for spiritual upliftment and ultimate liberation.