Samayik

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Samayik" by Ramanlal C. Shah:

The book "Samayik" delves into the profound significance of Samayik (meaning equanimity, meditation, or a period of spiritual observance) within Jainism, presenting it as a cornerstone of its philosophy and practice.

Core Meaning and Significance:

• "Samayik means Soul": This highest definition encapsulates the essence of Samayik, which is the practice of realizing one's true self.
• "An Essential Daily Duty": It is described as a paramount and indispensable duty for every spiritual seeker.
• Path to Liberation (Moksha): Jainism posits that liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) is achieved through Samyak Darshan (right faith), Samyak Gyan (right knowledge), and Samyak Charitra (right conduct). Samayik is the practice that cultivates the equanimity necessary to overcome raag (attachment) and dwesh (aversion), thereby aiding in the attainment of omniscience and the ultimate state of liberation.
• Equanimity as the Core: The fundamental principle of Samayik is Samata or Samata Bhav – equanimity or a state of mental balance and impartiality towards all beings and circumstances. It is the practice of remaining steady and unperturbed by the dualities of pleasure and pain, gain and loss, honor and dishonor.

Etymology and Definitions:

• The word Samayik is derived from "Sam," which has multiple meanings: "soul," "equality," and "friendship towards all beings."
• Sam + Aay (meaning gain) = Samay (gain of equanimity). Thus, Samayik is that which leads to the gain of equanimity.
• The text contrasts this with "Samayik" (related to time), which is used for periodicals.
• Synonyms for Samayik found in scriptures include Samata (equanimity), Samyaktva (right faith/view), Shanti (peace), and Savihit (properly ordained).
• Various scriptural definitions highlight different facets:
  • Remaining neutral in raag and dwesh.
  • The gain of knowledge, etc., for the soul free from raag and dwesh.
  • Engaging in the path of liberation through right faith, knowledge, and conduct.
  • The gain of equanimity towards all beings.
  • Abandoning sinful activities (savadyayog) and engaging in sinless practices (niravadyayog).
  • Right conduct or way of living.
  • An essential duty performed at the appropriate time.

Characteristics of Samayik:

The text outlines the key characteristics of Samayik as described by great Jain ascetics:

1. Equanimity towards all beings.
2. Abandonment of Art and Raudra meditation (agitated and violent mental states).
3. Cultivation of auspicious thoughts and feelings (Shubh Bhavna).
4. Cessation from sinful activities (Savadyayog).
5. Practicing self-control and restraint (Sanyam).
6. Duration: The practice should be for at least one muhurta (approximately 48 minutes).

The ultimate goal of Samayik is to achieve Samata (equanimity), which is facilitated by abandoning negative thoughts, cultivating positive ones, and practicing self-restraint.

Essence of Jainism:

• The core essence of Jainism is the attainment of liberation by eradicating raag and dwesh. This is achieved through the practice of Samata.
• Samayik is the primary tool for practicing Samata. Therefore, it is considered the essence of Jain teachings, the Buddha's discourse, the Twelve Limbs of Jain scripture, and the Fourteen Purvas (ancient Jain texts).
• Samayik is described as the summary of the Fourteen Purvas and the Upanishads of the Twelve Angas.

The Practice of Samayik:

• Every Tirthankara's Initiation: All Tirthankaras, upon renouncing worldly life, take a vow of Samayik even before formal initiation, signifying its paramount importance.
• The Six Essential Duties (Shad Avashyak): Samayik is the first of the six essential daily duties (Avashyak) prescribed for Jains. These are: Samayik, Chauvisthav (praise of the 24 Tirthankaras), Vandan (salutation), Pratikraman (confession and repentance), Kayotsarg (standing in self-mortification), and Pratyakhyan (vow of abstinence).
• Interconnectedness: These six duties are interconnected, and performing one properly often incorporates aspects of others.
• Benefits: The primary benefit of Samayik is the cessation from sinful activities (savadyayog). It helps to prevent new karmas and offers a strong means to halt sinful actions.
• Moksha Anga: Samayik is considered a limb of liberation (Moksha Anga). It is the means to purify the soul, destroy karmas, and ultimately attain omniscience.
• The Path to Keval Gyan: To attain Keval Gyan (omniscience), the four ghati (destructive) karmas must be destroyed. This is achieved through Samvar (prevention of new karmas) and Nirjara (shedding old karmas). True Samata leads to the eradication of raag and dwesh, which in turn allows for the destruction of these ghati karmas. Samayik is the singular path to experiencing pure self-immersion and achieving this Samata.

Types of Samayik:

• Shrut Samayik: Realizing the soul through the study of scriptures.
• Samyaktva Samayik: Progressing towards right knowledge and soul-realization by eradicating ignorance.
• Deshavirata Samayik: For laypeople, this is the ritualistic practice for a limited period (e.g., two ghadiks or 48 minutes) to refrain from sinful activities and engage in self-contemplation.
• Sarvavirata Samayik: For ascetics, this is a lifelong commitment to equanimity and self-realization.

The Ideal of Samayik:

• Seeing the Soul in All Beings: The ultimate secret of Samayik is to perceive all beings as oneself.
• Detachment and Compassion: It fosters detachment from worldly possessions and relationships, leading to a sense of universal kinship and the transformation of self-preservation into the preservation of all beings.
• Cultivating Samata: Samata does not come easily. It requires constant effort, self-control, auspicious thoughts, and the abandonment of negative meditations.
• The Role of Vows: Samayik is a Shiksha Vrat (vow of training), meaning it is a practice to be undertaken repeatedly for progress.

Practical Aspects and Procedures:

• Duration: For householders, Samayik is prescribed for two ghadiks (about 48 minutes), which is considered the optimal time for concentration.
• Rituals: The practice involves specific rituals and recitation of prayers like the Navkar Mantra, Irriyavahi, Logassa, and the crucial Karemi Bhante (a pledge).
• Purity: Maintaining purity of the body, mind, speech, and the environment is essential. This includes using clean attire, a clean space, and proper posture.
• Pitfalls (Atichara): The text details various faults that can occur during Samayik, categorized as defects of the mind (10), speech (10), and body (12). These include desires, anger, envy, lack of concentration, improper speech, sleepiness, and physically inappropriate actions. Avoiding these is crucial for a fruitful Samayik.
• Significance of the Karemi Bhante Pledge: This pledge is central to initiating Samayik. The text explains the differences in its recitation for monks (lifelong, complete abstinence) and laypeople (temporary, limited abstinence), highlighting the commitment involved.
• The Role of the Guru: Performing Samayik in the presence of a preceptor or a symbolic representation of one (Sthapanacharya) is encouraged for guidance and greater adherence to the practice.
• Speech and Silence: While silence is recommended for better concentration, controlled speech (e.g., reciting scriptures) is permissible and part of the Samayik ritual.
• Dhyana (Meditation): The practice involves focusing the mind on auspicious thoughts and the soul, thereby moving away from Art and Raudra meditations.

The Ultimate Goal and Impact:

• Spiritual Growth: Through consistent practice, one can progress from ritualistic Samayik (Dravya Samayik) to true inner absorption (Bhava Samayik or Nischay Samayik).
• Karma Destruction: Samayik helps in the destruction of both old and new karmas, leading to spiritual purification.
• Divine Esteem: Even celestial beings aspire to experience Samayik.
• Invaluable Practice: The merit gained from performing Samayik is considered far greater than material donations. It is the ladder to liberation.

In essence, "Samayik" by Ramanlal C. Shah provides an exhaustive exploration of this vital Jain practice, tracing its philosophical underpinnings, etymology, characteristics, types, practical aspects, and ultimate spiritual rewards. It underscores Samayik's role as the fundamental practice for cultivating equanimity and achieving the Jain ideal of soul-realization and liberation.