Shwetambar Murtipuja Sangh Sammelan Prastav

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shwetambar Murtipuja Sangh Sammelan Prastav" in English:

This document presents the resolutions passed at the All India Shwetambar Murtipujak Shramanopasak Shri Sangh Conference held in Ahmedabad on April 13-14, 1963. The conference was convened by the Akhil Bharatiya Jain Shwetambar Murtipujak Shree Sangh Samiti, Ahmedabad.

The resolutions address concerns and propose actions to uphold the integrity, purity, and prestige of Jainism, its scriptures, holy places, and the monastic community.

Resolution One: Upholding Jainism and the Monastic Community

• Core Principles: The conference reaffirms that Jainism has endured through the ages due to its Vitarag Dev (liberated souls), profound and comprehensive knowledge, adherence to the Panchachar (five vows), and the wisdom and austerity of its renunciate leaders (monks and nuns).

• Responsibilities: It is the sacred duty of all of Shri Sangh (the Jain community) to remain vigilant and strive for the proper preservation of holy pilgrimage sites and Jin temples, the conservation and utilization of knowledge repositories (scriptures), and the purity and influence of the revered monastic community. The aim is to prevent any decline in the high standards of Jain conduct.

• Praise for Austere Monastics: The conference heartily commends and acknowledges the virtuous monks and nuns who are dedicatedly pursuing the path to liberation as taught by Lord Jineshwara, through the practice of Samyagdarshan (right faith), Samyagjnana (right knowledge), Samyagcharitra (right conduct), and Samyaktapa (right austerity), even in challenging times. They are credited with making Jain teachings shine brightly.

• Concerns about Lapses: However, due to the passage of time and inherent flaws (Kaladidosha), some imperfections have crept into the monastic community. Certain monks and nuns are observed to be neglecting the necessary purity of thought, speech, and conduct expected of Jain ascetics. If these lapses are not corrected, it could harm not only the reputation of the virtuous monks and nuns but also the prestige of Jainism itself.

• Importance of the 4th and 5th Vows: The conference emphasizes that the strict adherence to the Fourth (Chastity) and Fifth (Non-possession/Non-attachment) Mahavratas (great vows) is crucial for the purity of the monastic community. Lapses in these vows can lead to a decline in the perception of Jainism among non-Jains. Furthermore, the violation of these two vows inevitably leads to the transgression of the first three vows, destabilizing the very foundation of monastic life.

• Requests to Monastic Leaders: Therefore, the conference earnestly requests venerable Acharyas, leaders of monastic groups, and heads of various nuns' communities to firmly and faithfully implement the following:

  • (1) Selection of Aspirants and Care of the Newly Ordained:

    • The sanctity of initiation is paramount for the purity and influence of Jainism, the Sangha, and culture.
    • Rigorous vetting of aspirants is essential. Only those who demonstrate genuine renunciation and are suitable should be initiated.
    • Initiations should take place in designated locations, publicly, and during auspicious times, with the cooperation of the local Upashraya (monastic dwelling) managers.
    • Permission from close family members (parents, spouse, siblings, children) is generally required. However, in exceptional cases where permission is unreasonably withheld despite genuine efforts, initiation can proceed without it, provided the aspirant makes arrangements for the livelihood of their dependents to the best of their ability.
    • The initiator must ensure the aspirant is free from the 18 defects and must consult with a senior, elder, or guru before granting initiation.
    • If an individual previously initiated by one monastic seeks initiation from another, thorough investigation into the reasons for leaving the previous order and the aspirant's qualities and defects must be conducted, along with consultation with the original guru or Acharya.
    • The goal is to ensure that initiation remains a precious means of spiritual practice and that the sanctity of the sacred initiation is fully preserved.

  • (2) Regarding the Fourth Mahavrata (Chastity):

    • Any lapse in this vow is a grave error that allows other sins to flourish, destabilizing monastic life.
    • If any member of the monastic community is found to have violated this vow, they should be investigated and separated from the Sangha.
    • Indiscriminate closeness with lay followers and sight attachment (drishtirag) are identified as significant contributing factors to violations.
    • Specific guidelines:
      • Monks should avoid interaction with female followers except during lectures and public events.
      • Nuns should also be met only during lectures and public events, with minimal interaction, and should not be asked to perform private tasks.
      • Solitary monks (ekalvihari) should not be encouraged. Monks living solitarily and behaving independently should be persuaded by their community leaders to join a Sangha. If they refuse to mend their ways, the entire Shri Sangh should boycott them. (This rule does not apply to monks who must live alone due to old age.)

  • (3) Regarding the Fifth Mahavrata (Non-possession/Non-attachment):

    • The development of the path of renunciation, the lifeblood of monastic existence, depends entirely on the pure observance of non-possession. Lapses here lead to numerous other transgressions.
    • Key directives:
      • No member of the monastic community should possess or accumulate anything that awakens possessiveness (murchha).
      • Money is the greatest cause of attachment and possessiveness. Therefore, every monk and nun must remain vigilant and completely detached from money.
      • Monks and nuns should not deposit any funds in their own name, regardless of the purpose (books, library, knowledge centers, etc.), with any householder, bank, or institution.
      • Lay followers who hold such funds for monks and nuns, either out of devotion, misunderstanding, or other reasons, become accomplices in the vow-breaking of the monastics and also incur fault themselves, thus disrespecting their own religion. Lay followers are urged to immediately cease this unrighteous association, and those who continue should be publicly identified.
      • Knowledge repositories should belong to the Shri Sangh, not to any individual monk or nun, and should be accessible to qualified individuals.
      • Any income generated from religious festivals (upadhan, udyapan, etc.) conducted under the guidance of Acharyas or monks, whether classified as temple property or otherwise, should be managed and spent only by the respective trust or managing committee.

Resolution Two: Addressing Lapses in the Lay Follower Community (Shravak Sangh)

• Importance of Lay Community: The Shravak Sangh is a crucial part of the Jain Sangha, managing the finances of its various religious, social, and educational institutions.
• Need for Improvement: The conference recognizes the need to address lapses caused by the incompetence, negligence, or self-interest of some lay followers to prevent financial losses to institutions and ensure smooth operations.
• Actionable Steps:
  • No lay follower should hold funds belonging to any religious or charitable institution.
  • Institutions with defective operations or mismanagement must rectify them promptly. If they fail to do so, the Shri Sangh Samiti will take appropriate action.
  • To prevent wastage of funds due to the inexperience and incompetence of workers in the construction of temples, Upashrayas, and Dharamshalas, immediate steps must be taken. The valuable advice and guidance offered by Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi should be utilized in such endeavors.

Resolution Three: Establishment of the Shri Sangh Samiti

• Emphasis on Conduct: Jainism has always emphasized purity of conduct (Jivanshuddhi) and purity of behavior (Vyavaharshuddhi). Historically, whenever laxity has entered the monastic community or any part of the Chaturvidh Sangha (four-fold community), enlightened leaders have rectified it through their strong efforts, preserving the purity of the Sangha and the Dharma.

• Responsibility of Monastics: The conference firmly believes that addressing and rectifying any laxity within the monastic community is the sole responsibility of the monastic community itself (Acharyas and monks).

• Discussions and Need for Action: For the past three years, prominent householders have discussed these concerns with many respected Acharyas and Jain leaders, who have all expressed a strong desire for remedial measures. This conference has been convened with the aim of implementing these ideas.

• Addressing Lapses in Both Communities: The conference strongly believes that immediate steps are needed to remove this laxity. It also emphasizes the need to rectify the existing flaws in the organization of the Jain Sangha and the errors within the Shravak Sangh.

• Lay Community's Role (Reluctantly): While it is the ideal path for the monastic leadership to address these issues, the conference acknowledges that if, for various reasons, this does not happen, the lay community, despite its reluctance and reservations, must take on the responsibility out of necessity. This conference has been called precisely for this purpose and to consider the solutions.

• Establishment of the Committee: To fulfill these objectives, the "Shri Akhil Bharatiya Jain Shwetambar Murtipujak Shri Sangh Samiti" is hereby established.

• Committee Structure and Scope:

  • Name: Shri Akhil Bharatiya Jain Shwetambar Murtipujak Shri Sangh Samiti (short name: Shri Sangh Samiti or Samiti).
  • Members: Representatives nominated by Shri Sanghs from major cities and villages, and influential Jain leaders, who will be appointed now and in the future.
  • Executive Committee: A seven-member Executive Committee is established to manage the affairs of the Shri Sangh Samiti. Vacancies will be filled by the remaining members. The nominated members are: Seth Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai, Seth Shri Keshavlal Lallubhai Zaveri, Seth Shri Chhotalal Tricamdas Parekh, Seth Shri Amritlal Kalidas Doshi, Seth Shri Babubhai Chhaganlal Shroff, Seth Shri Motilal Virchand Shah, and Seth Shri Mansukhlal Chunilal Mehta. The Executive Committee can co-opt four additional members.
  • Quorum: Four members for Executive Committee meetings. Members absent from three consecutive meetings without permission will be replaced. The Executive Committee can frame necessary rules and bylaws.
  • Office: The committee's office will be in Ahmedabad, managed by the Executive Committee.
  • Regional Committees: Regional committees will be formed in various cities and villages to facilitate the committee's work.
  • Scope of Work:
    • The committee will strive to rectify lapses identified in the monastic community as per the first resolution. Information about such lapses should be reported to the Executive Committee. The committee will investigate and request the concerned monastic leadership to take appropriate action. If no action is taken, the committee, in consultation with the regional committee, will take necessary action against the offending individual.
    • The committee will work to rectify defects in the functioning of the Shravak Sangh, organize disorganized institutions, and keep the Shri Sangh informed of its actual situation.
    • The committee will take all necessary measures to organize the Shri Sangh and prevent circumstances or activities that harm its unity.
    • The committee will constantly strive to enhance the glory and influence of Jainism.
    • The committee will devise and implement measures to stabilize, increase, and elevate the religious fervor of the Shravak Sangh.

• Hopes and Prayers: The conference sincerely hopes and trusts that this committee, born from the heartfelt sentiments of numerous Acharyas and Jain leaders, will receive the blessings of the monastic community and the good wishes of the Shravak Sangh. Their complete support and cooperation are essential for the committee to fulfill the great responsibilities undertaken.

• Call for Monastic Action: The conference sincerely desires and prays that the monastic community will promptly take on the responsibility of rectifying the emerging laxity, and that this responsibility will be lifted from the Shri Sangh Samiti in the near future.

• Universal Message: Through the combined efforts of the entire Shri Sangh, it is hoped that all such shortcomings will be swiftly eradicated, leading to a significant increase in the influence and glory of Jainism, the Jain Sangha, and Jain culture. In today's violent and disturbed global environment, the message of "Maitri Bhavana" (universal friendship) from Jain culture should be spread, propagating the spirit of non-violence inherent in Jainism.

• Conclusion: With the heartfelt desire and prayer for the divine guidance and strength from the governing deities, the conference establishes the "Shri Sangh Samiti" through these resolutions.

The document is an English translation from Gujarati.