Samayik Sutra - Book Summary | JainGPT

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Samayik Sutra" by Kumarpal Desai, based on the provided content:

The book "Samayik Sutra" by Kumarpal Desai, published by Lakshmichand C Sanghvi, is a detailed guide to understanding and performing the Jain practice of Samayik (equanimity or meditation). The text emphasizes the spiritual and ethical foundations of Jainism, the ritualistic procedures for Samayik, and the significance of the prayers and mantras involved.

Key Themes and Content:

The Essence of Jainism:
- Jainism is described as the "religion of the soul" (Page 3).
- Its core tenets are Ahimsa (non-violence) as its practice, and Anekant (multiplicity of viewpoints) as its philosophy (Page 3).
- The ultimate goal is to know, recognize, and attain the soul, rather than solely focusing on the physical body (Page 3). The body is seen as a tool (sadhan) to reach the soul (sadhy), similar to a boat used to cross a river (Page 3). Over-attachment to the body is considered a betrayal of life, while neglecting the soul is a betrayal of Dharma (Page 3).
- The text highlights the importance of cultivating fearlessness (Abhay), non-violence (Ahimsa), and love for self-realization (Page 3).
- True devotion is not just visiting temples but transforming one's own heart into a temple (Page 3). Similarly, greetings and prayers are meaningful only when contemplated with understanding and the intention to emulate the qualities of the revered beings (Page 3).
- The world is depicted as a place of immense suffering due to various "fires" like war, hunger, ego, and power. The only escape is through the search for the soul, discernment between the fleeting (preya) and the eternal (shreya) (Page 3).
- Jainism has established Ahimsa in practice, Anekant in thought, Syadvada in speech, and Aparigraha (non-possession) in society (Page 3).
The Ritual of Samayik (Samayik Vidhi):
- Preparations: The text lists essential items needed for Samayik: clean clothes, a clean mat (kattasanu/sapadon), a muhapatti (mouth cloth), a book or idol for devotion (sthapana ji), chervala (a brush for cleaning), a watch, and a Navkaravali (rosary) (Page 4).
- The Process:
  - Wearing clean clothes and purifying the space with a brush (charval) (Page 4).
  - Placing the sthapana ji or religious book on the mat (Page 4).
  - Holding the muhapatti in the left hand and the right hand in front of the sthapana ji (Page 4).
  - Reciting the Navkar mantra and Panchindriya Sutra (Page 4).
  - Performing a Kaushargg (meditation) after offering obeisance (khamasaman) and reciting specific verses (Page 4).
  - Requesting permission to touch the muhapatti ("Ichha kauen sandisah Bhagavan! Muhapatti padilehu?") and then purifying it (Page 4).
  - Requesting permission to commence Samayik ("Ichha kauen sandisah Bhagavan! Samayik sandisahum?") and then to begin ("Ichha kauen sandisah Bhagavan! Samayik thau?") (Page 4).
  - Joining hands, reciting one Navkar mantra, and then requesting permission to engage in study/meditation ("Ichha kauen sandisah Bhagavan! Sajjhay sandisadhum?" and "Ichha kauen sandisah Bhagavan! Sajjhay karu?") (Page 4).
  - Engaging in religious contemplation (Dharmadhyan) for two ghatis (48 minutes) (Page 4).
- Concluding Samayik (Samayik Paravaano Vidhi):
  - Performing another Kaushargg with specific verses (Page 4).
  - Requesting permission to end Samayik ("Ichha kauen sandisah Bhagavan! Samayik parun?") (Page 4).
  - Then, asking if Samayik is completed ("Ichha kauen sandisah Bhagavan! Samayik parayu?") (Page 4).
  - Placing the right hand on the mat, reciting one Navkar mantra, and placing the sthapana ji in its proper place (Page 4).
  - Saying the Samayik Vayajuro (a concluding prayer) (Page 4).
  - If a sthapana ji was used, standing up after reciting another Navkar mantra (Page 4).
Key Mantras and Prayers:
- Navkar Mantra: The fundamental Jain mantra, offering salutations to the Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, and all Sadhus. It is considered the first and most auspicious of all blessings and the destroyer of all sins (Page 5).
- Panchindriya Sutra: This prayer praises the spiritual qualities of a guru or saint, highlighting their control over the five senses, observance of celibacy and freedom from anger, pride, deceit, and greed, and their possession of eighteen virtues and five great vows (Page 5).
- Ichhammi Khama Samano (Pranipata Sutra): A verse expressing humility and reverence, requesting permission to offer obeisance and admitting to the limitations of one's body, mind, and speech (Page 6).
- Irriyavahiyam Sutra (Alocana Sutra): This is a confession or atonement verse, acknowledging any harm caused to living beings (one-sensed to five-sensed) through walking, moving, touching, covering, or disturbing them, and seeking forgiveness (Page 6-7).
- Tassa Uttari Sutra: A verse that focuses on purification, seeking absolution from sins through penance and removing the "three shalyas" (Maya - attachment, Nidan - desire, Mithyatva - wrong belief) (Page 8).
- Annattha Sisiyene (Aagar) Sutra: This verse lists twelve common reasons or lapses that can interrupt meditation (like sighing, yawning, coughing, sneezing, body movements, etc.) and seeks forgiveness for these, affirming the intention to maintain the Samayik undisturbed (Page 8-9).
- Logassa Sutra: A praise verse that glorifies the twenty-four Tirthankaras and other omniscient beings. It is chanted to acknowledge their teachings and seek their blessings for peace, health, right faith, and supreme meditation (Page 9-10). It also lists the names and symbols of the twenty-four Tirthankaras (Page 14).
- Karemi Bhante Sutra: The vow-taking prayer, where the practitioner declares taking Samayik and renouncing sinful activities (mind, speech, and body) until the completion of the vow (Page 12).
- Samayik Vayajutto: The concluding verse for ending Samayik, acknowledging any unintentional errors and seeking forgiveness (Page 12-13). It also mentions the faults that can occur in Samayik and seeks forgiveness for them.
Fruits of Samayik:
- Samayik purifies the mind, speech, and body, bringing unparalleled peace and concentration (Page 11).
- It aids in spiritual progress, liberation from karma, self-realization, and the attainment of eternal peace and salvation (Page 11).
Additional Content:
- Mahaavira's Teachings (Mahavir Vani): A collection of significant quotes from Lord Mahavir emphasizing self-reliance, the transient nature of life, the importance of vigilance in every action, the supreme virtue of Dharma (Ahimsa, restraint, and penance), the value of self-control over external charity, the foundation of Vinaya (humility) in Jainism, the rarity of human birth and opportunities for Dharma, the concept of universal equanimity (Samabhava) and non-violence, and the ultimate victory being self-conquest (Page 16).
- Tribute and Endorsements: The book includes commendations from various spiritual leaders and individuals, appreciating the author's effort in providing the Samayik Sutra with clear explanations, making it accessible and beneficial for a wide audience (Page 17).
- Other Devotional Verses: The text also includes the "Chaud Swapna Stavan" (verses on the fourteen dreams of Queen Trishala) and "Namaskar Mantra Mahima" (glory of the Navkar mantra), further enriching the devotional content (Page 15, 18).

In essence, "Samayik Sutra" is a comprehensive and devotional guide that aims to deepen the understanding and practice of Samayik, a cornerstone of Jain spiritual discipline, by connecting the ritual with the philosophical and ethical underpinnings of Jainism.