Seva Arth Aur Sahi Samaz - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Seva: Arth aur Sahi Samaj" by Sadhvi Shri Yashodharashreeji:

Seva: Meaning and True Understanding

This text, penned by Sadhvi Shri Yashodharashreeji, a disciple of Yugpradhan Acharya Shri Tulsiji, explores the profound meaning and correct understanding of "Seva" (service) within the framework of Jain philosophy and community life.

The Foundation of Community Life:

The author begins by asserting that service is the fundamental basis of community living. However, acknowledging differing inclinations, Lord Mahavir classified individuals into four categories regarding service:

Receiving only, not giving: Those who accept service but do not offer it in return.
Giving only, not receiving: Those who serve others but do not accept service themselves.
Both receiving and giving: Those who engage in both giving and receiving service.
Neither receiving nor giving: Those who neither serve nor accept service.

The text posits that the third option (giving and receiving) is the most acceptable and sustainable for community life, emphasizing the exchange of service as the primary tenet of interconnectedness, equality, and unity among members.

Beyond Mere Action: The Deeper Essence of Service:

"Seva" is not merely assisting or participating in another's work; that is considered superficial or behavioral. True service, when delved into deeply, reveals itself as an expression of holistic awareness. In the context of Mahavir's philosophy, service is counted among the inner austerities.

The Core of True Service:

Compassion as the Driving Force: Those whose minds overflow with compassion naturally feel another's pain as their own, understand another's needs as their own, and consider another's body as their own. This breaks the bonds of attachment ("mamata") and unleashes a river of equanimity ("samata").
Transcending Duality: Acharya Shri Tulsiji's words highlight that service is an eternal dharma that dissolves the notions of "mine" and "yours." Service is performed by merging with the recipient. It is the highest achievement of knowledge.
Selfless and Account-Free: Service performed above the realm of self-interest is devoid of any calculation or accounting. The text uses the analogy of a mother serving her child, who keeps no record of her actions, to illustrate this point.

The Nature of the Server and the Served:

The text powerfully states that service is not done for another; the recipient of service performs the service themselves.

Service with Conditions is Not True Service: Service that comes with conditions is merely a reaction to an action, a demand for reciprocation, or a form of transaction.
The Qualities of a True Server: One who undertakes the vow of service with the correct perspective and genuine process experiences:
- No physical illness, no mental worry.
- No fear in the heart, no reactivity in the intellect.
- No discrimination of "self" and "other" in the soul.

Five Key Principles for Service:

The text outlines five essential aspects to keep in mind for genuine service:

Faith and Reverence towards the recipient: Unconditional faith and respect for the one being served.
The "Healthy Mindset": Understanding that by serving, one is not bestowing a favor but rather is being honored with an opportunity to serve.
Proactive Availability: Ensuring the availability of time and effort, within one's capacity, for the recipient's needs.
Attentiveness to Needs: Being vigilant and aware of the recipient's expectations and requirements.
Benevolent Wishing: Continuously wishing for the well-being and freedom from illness of the person being served.

The Teachings of Lord Mahavir on Service:

Lord Mahavir emphasized the importance of service, particularly "Vaiyavrittya" (attentive care and service) towards various individuals within the monastic order, including preceptors, teachers, elder monks, aspiring monks, and the community as a whole. He stated that performing such service leads to immense karma destruction and ultimate liberation.

Service and Self-Discovery: The text highlights that through serving gurus and fellow practitioners, one attains "Vinaya" (humility and respect). A person with Vinaya avoids disrespecting or criticizing their guru, thereby averting negative rebirths (hellish, animal, human, or divine realms) and paving the way for positive outcomes through praise, recognition of virtues, devotion, and honor.

The Example of Tirthankaras and Buddhist Literature:

Tirthankaras' Empathy: The text illustrates the profound empathy of Tirthankaras with those who are ill or incapable. Their words, "He who serves the ailing, serves Me," demonstrate that serving the sick is equivalent to serving the divine, and one can even attain the status of a Tirthankara through such selfless service.
"Vaiyavrittya" as Impeccable: The text asserts that everything in the world is perishable except "Vaiyavrittya," which is imperishable. Engaging in "Vaiyavrittya" leads to pure karma deletion.
Buddhist Parallel: The text draws a parallel with Buddhist literature, citing an instance where Lord Buddha himself tended to a sick monk who was being neglected by others. This led to the establishment of a rule within the Sangha, making the service of ailing monks a mandatory dharma.

Ethical Imperatives and Consequences:

Disciplinary Action for Neglect: Lord Mahavir ordained that monks should inquire about and, if necessary, stay to serve any ailing monks or nuns they encounter during their travels. Neglecting such a situation is a breach of monastic discipline and necessitates atonement.
Service as Community Influence: Service is an integral part of enhancing the reputation and influence of the monastic community.

Reasons for "Vaiyavrittya":

Four reasons are provided for engaging in attentive service:

To generate peace and equanimity.
To alleviate sickness and disgust.
To express compassion and affection for the spiritual path.
To provide a sense of support and security, dispelling feelings of helplessness.

Practical Aspects of Service (Ullkhit Dwars):

The Vyavahar Bhashya enumerates thirteen specific ways to offer service:

Bringing food.
Bringing water.
Preparing bedding.
Providing seating.
Examining and cleaning living spaces and belongings.
Washing feet.
Administering medicine.
Bringing eye medicine.
Carrying burdens and massaging during travel.
Protecting from dangers like wrathful rulers or thieves.
Receiving staffs or support upon arrival.
Making appropriate arrangements for the ailing.
Managing waste (urine, feces, phlegm).

The Terapanth Dharma Sangha's Commitment to Service:

The text highlights the exemplary service ethos within the Terapanth Dharma Sangha, inspired by Acharya Bhikshu. He strongly emphasized that refusing to serve the sick and ailing is a grave offense. He instituted guidelines for monks to serve each other diligently, including:

Serving the sick or elderly without hesitation.
Not encouraging them towards extreme penance.
Assisting the visually impaired during travel.
Sharing the burden of the sick.
Engaging in activities that uplift their spirits.
Not abandoning fellow monks in need.
Supporting those who wish to undertake voluntary renunciation and austerity.
Sharing the service responsibilities if one monk is unable to do it alone.
Gently reminding and ensuring that service is performed.
Ensuring collective provision of food for the sick.

The text also notes Acharya Bhikshu's emphasis on retaining individuals with physical limitations in the community while considering those unable to control their impulses as unsuitable.

Illustrative Anecdotes:

The text includes poignant anecdotes to underscore the importance of meticulousness and compassion in service:

The Mixed Dal Incident: Acharya Bhikshu sternly admonished his disciple Hemrajji Swami for mixing two types of lentils, emphasizing that specific dietary needs for the sick must be respected.
Rejection for Disgust: Muni Tirkharaam was expelled from the Sangha for refusing to serve Muni Chiranjilalji, who was suffering from diarrhea, due to his aversion to handling excreta. Acharya Dalganiji's ruling highlighted that those who shirk duty in times of need are unfit for the Sangha.
The Test of True Kinship: True kinship is revealed when one offers support and becomes an integral part of another's life during times of weakness and helplessness.
Selfless Service by Sadhvi Anchanji: Sadhvi Anchanji demonstrated immense strength and dedication by carrying a sick Sadhvi on her shoulders to ensure her proper care.

The Four Pillars of Treatment and Reciprocal Service:

The text identifies four essential components of treatment: the doctor, the patient, the medicine, and the attendant. The absence or inadequacy of any one of these can lead to treatment failure.

The Art of Giving and Receiving Service:

The Unworthy Recipient: The text, referencing the Vinaya Pitaka, outlines characteristics of an "unworthy" recipient of service who makes the attendant's task difficult. These include:
- Not being conducive to the needs of fellow practitioners.
- Not understanding the proper dosage or application of aids.
- Not taking prescribed medicine.
- Not accurately communicating their condition to the attendant.
- Being unable to tolerate physical discomfort or pain.
The Incompetent Attendant: Similarly, an attendant is deemed incompetent if they:
- Cannot administer medicine correctly.
- Do not understand what is beneficial or detrimental.
- Administer what is harmful and withhold what is beneficial.
- Feel disgust in cleaning waste or vomit.
- Cannot use religious discourse to uplift and comfort the patient.

Conclusion: The Path to Worthiness:

The text concludes by urging readers to strive for worthiness in both giving and receiving service. The aim is to receive service without feeling inferior and to give service with a sense of upliftment. By serving others, we are not doing them a favor but rather strengthening our own innate dharma. The concluding lines remind us to act with humility, recognizing our duties and the interconnectedness of existence, where all actions are recorded.