Sadhvachar Samucchay Prakaranam - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Sadhvachar Samucchay Prakaranam" by Nayvardhanvijay, based on the provided pages:

Title: Sadhvachar Samucchay Prakaranam (Compilation of Ascetic Conduct)

Author: P.P. Ganivarya Shri Nayvardhan Vijay Maharaj (disciple of Acharya Samrat Shrimad Vijay Ramchandra Surishwarji Maharaj)

Publisher: Shrimati Bharatvarshiya Jinshasan Seva Samiti (This organization is dedicated to the service of the Jain faith).

Overview:

This book is a detailed compilation and explanation of the prescribed conduct and principles for Jain ascetics (Sadhus and Sadhvis). It aims to serve as a guide for them to uphold their vows and achieve spiritual liberation. The text emphasizes the importance of Charitrya (conduct) as the ultimate path to Moksha (liberation), alongside Samyak Darshan (right faith) and Samyak Gyan (right knowledge).

Key Contents and Themes:

The Nature of a Sadhu: The book begins by defining a Sadhu as one who practices Dharma and aids others in their spiritual pursuits.
Charanasittari and Karanasittari: The core of ascetic conduct is divided into two main categories:
- Charanasittari (Seventy Conducts of the Feet): These relate to the practical, external actions and disciplines of an ascetic.
- Karanasittari (Seventy Conducts of Action): These pertain to the internal disciplines, mental control, and specific actions performed.
Ashta Pravachan Matas (Eight Maternal Principles of the Doctrine): These are fundamental principles that nurture and guide the ascetic life:
- Five Samitis (Careful Conduct):
  - Irya Samiti: Careful movement, looking where one walks to avoid harming living beings.
  - Bhasha Samiti: Careful speech, speaking truthfully, affectionately, and beneficially.
  - Eshana Samiti: Careful alms-gathering, accepting food free from the 42 faults.
  - Adan Nikshep Samiti: Careful handling of objects, inspecting and cleaning them before use.
  - Utsarga Samiti (or Parishthapanika): Careful disposal of bodily excretions, doing so in a clean, life-free location.
- Three Guptis (Restraints):
  - Mano Gupiti: Restraint of the mind, controlling negative thoughts and emotions.
  - Vachan Gupiti: Restraint of speech, observing silence or speaking only when necessary and beneficial.
  - Kaya Gupiti: Restraint of the body, controlling physical actions and movements.
Five Mahavratas (Great Vows): These are the foundational vows that define asceticism:
- Ahimsa Vrata (Non-violence)
- Satya Vrata (Truthfulness)
- Asteya Vrata (Non-stealing)
- Brahmacharya Vrata (Celibacy/Chastity)
- Aparigraha Vrata (Non-possession/Non-attachment)
Five Bhavanas (Meditations/Contemplations) for each Mahavrata: The book elaborates on specific mental states and practices that strengthen each of the five great vows. These involve cultivating specific awarenesses and renouncing attachments related to each vow.
Dasha Prakar no Yati Dharma (Ten Types of Ascetic Conduct): These are essential virtues for an ascetic: Humility, Straightforwardness, Forbearance, Contentment, Non-possession, Self-control, Truthfulness, Purity, Austerity, and Chastity.
Dasha Sthana of Vaiyavruttya (Ten Aspects of Reverential Service): These are the individuals or entities worthy of receiving Vaiyavruttya, which is crucial for spiritual progress. They include the Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, Sadhus, the ten virtues of an ascetic, scriptures, right faith, temples, and the Jain community.
Ratnatrayi (Three Jewels): The text describes the purification of Samyak Darshan, Samyak Gyan, and Samyak Charitra as the path to liberation.
Dvadasha Prakara Tap (Twelve Types of Austerities): Both external (Bahya) and internal (Abhyantara) austerities are detailed, including fasting, moderation in food, restricting activities, giving up specific tastes, enduring hardship, and controlling the senses. Internal austerities involve penance, service, study, humility, renunciation, and meditation.
Pind Vishuddhi (Purity of Alms-food): A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the meticulous observance of purity in alms-gathering. This involves understanding and avoiding 42 specific faults related to Pind (food), categorized as faults originating from householders (Shravakas), ascetics themselves, or both. The text lists these faults and emphasizes the importance of Madhukari Vrata (alms-gathering like a bee).
Causes for Taking Food: The book outlines specific circumstances under which an ascetic may take food, such as hunger, need for service, physical strength for spiritual practice, and for maintaining life to continue spiritual endeavors.
Causes for Abstaining from Food: Conversely, it details reasons for refraining from food, including illness, external afflictions (upasarga), protecting vows (especially celibacy), preventing harm to others, the pursuit of strenuous austerities, and Santhara (voluntary fasting unto death).
Twenty-Two Parishaha (Hardships to be Endured): These are the various physical and mental hardships an ascetic must patiently bear with equanimity, such as hunger, thirst, heat, cold, insects, nakedness, rejection, non-fulfillment of desires, sitting, sleeping arrangements, abuse, violence, begging, non-attainment, illness, coarse touch, dirt, gossip, ignorance, and wrong perception.
Kashayas (Passions) and Indriya Nirodha (Control of Senses): The four passions (anger, pride, deceit, greed) and the five senses are identified as obstacles that must be conquered through virtues like forbearance, humility, straightforwardness, and contentment.
Saptadasha Prakara Samyama (Seventeen Types of Self-Control): This section reiterates the components of self-control, including the control of passions, the three guptis, the five senses, and the five great vows.
Nine Brahmagupta (Nine Chastity Restraints): These are specific rules and practices to maintain absolute chastity, covering aspects like dwelling places, conversation, sitting arrangements, looking at attractive bodies, maintaining distance, avoiding recall of sensual memories, and moderation in diet and self-adornment.
Dvadasha Bhavana (Twelve Meditations): These are contemplations that foster detachment from worldly existence and strengthen spiritual resolve, including impermanence, helplessness, uniqueness, impurity, the cycle of birth and death, the influx of karma, stoppage of karma, destruction of karma, the rarity of enlightenment, the nature of the world, and the glory of the Arihants.
Dashadha Samachari (Tenfold Etiquette): These are prescribed rules of conduct for daily activities, such as the scrutiny of robes (pratilekhana), alms-gathering, cleaning, confession, movement, eating, washing utensils, disposing of waste, and performing daily rituals.
Pratilekhana (Scrutiny): The book details the thrice-daily scrutiny of ascetic possessions to ensure no life is harmed.
Chaitra Vandana (Salutation to the Divine): Seven instances for performing veneration to the Jinas (temples or idols) are outlined, reinforcing devotion and purity.
Dvipanchashat Bheda of Vinaya (Fifty-two Forms of Humility/Respect): This section elaborates on various ways to show respect to holy persons, scriptures, and religious institutions, contributing to spiritual discipline.
Abhigraha (Vows of Commitment): Ascetics may undertake specific, challenging vows regarding time, place, substance, or manner of living to further their spiritual discipline and control desires.
Dvadasha Pratima (Twelve Stages of Asceticism): These are progressive stages of rigorous spiritual practice, undertaken over increasing periods, to overcome karmic bonds.
Saptavimshati Muni Guna (Twenty-seven Virtues of an Ascetic): These are the inherent qualities cultivated by an ascetic, including adherence to vows, protection of all life forms, control of senses, control of passions, purity in actions, mental purity, and equanimity in enduring hardships.
Thirty-three Guru Ashatana (Thirty-three Offenses Against the Guru): A crucial part of the book details the grave offenses an ascetic must strictly avoid when interacting with their spiritual preceptor to maintain the sanctity of the guru-disciple relationship. These cover physical proximity, speech, service, and attentiveness.
Dravya Charitra and Nischaya Charitra (Material and Essential Conduct): The book concludes by distinguishing between the external, observable conduct (Dravya Charitra) and the internal, mental state of oneness with the soul's virtues (Nischaya Charitra), both of which are essential for liberation.
Seven Ligaments of a Bhavayata (Ascetic of True Conduct): These are the essential characteristics of a spiritually advanced ascetic, including following the path to liberation, being straightforward, having supreme faith, being vigilant, practicing austerities, obeying the guru, and being devoted to virtues.
Twelve Analogies from Anuyoga Dwar Sutra: The text then presents twelve analogies from the Anuyoga Dwar Sutra, comparing ascetics to a snake, mountain, fire, ocean, earth, sky, tree, bee, deer, lotus, sun, and wind, highlighting the virtues they embody through these comparisons.

Purpose:

The "Sadhvachar Samucchay Prakaranam" serves as an authoritative and comprehensive manual for Jain monks and nuns. It provides clear guidelines on their daily conduct, ethical principles, and spiritual practices, ensuring the adherence to the stringent path of asceticism. The book is intended to help ascetics purify their conduct, advance in their spiritual journey, and ultimately achieve liberation. The author expresses a hope that by studying this compilation, ascetics can indeed achieve greater purity in their lives and fulfill their vows.