Sukhno Tap

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text "Sukhno Tap" by Mafatlal Sanghvi, based on the given pages:

The True Nature of Happiness: A Jain Perspective

This text, "Sukhno Tap" (The Pursuit of Happiness), by Mafatlal Sanghvi, asserts that true happiness is scarce in this world because most people misunderstand its nature. They equate favorable circumstances with happiness and unfavorable ones with suffering. However, the author argues that genuine happiness lies not in manipulating external conditions or causing suffering to others for one's own comfort.

The Illusion of Worldly Happiness and the Roots of Suffering

The text criticizes the human tendency to seek personal comfort at the expense of others' well-being, likening it to extracting oil from sand – a futile endeavor. It emphasizes that the fundamental principle of all life is the pursuit of happiness. Dharma (righteous conduct) is defined as the art of dedicating oneself to this principle through three means.

The author identifies two significant "diseases" that plague humanity: attachment (raag) to the inanimate (jadtam) and aversion (dwesh) towards the living being (jeev). These are seen as violations of Jinendra's commands (Jinaagnya). Until one recognizes these as severe ailments, the path to healing (spiritual practice) will not be pursued.

The Path to True Happiness: Devotion and Compassion

The text proposes that true happiness is achieved through devotion to the Vitraga Parmatma (Tirthankaras or liberated souls) in thought, word, and deed. This devotion uproots attachment to the material and strengthens compassion (jiv-maitri) towards all beings.

It challenges the logic of lamenting suffering without addressing its root cause: sin (paap). Causing pain to others for personal gain, and then blaming others when suffering arises, is seen as a sure path to spiritual downfall. Similarly, discussing meditation (aadhyaan) while causing distress to others for perceived personal happiness is deemed hypocritical.

The Soul's Innate Happiness and the Importance of Detachment

The core message is that the soul (aatma) itself is inherently blissful. It never desires unhappiness for any living being. True happiness arises from developing compassion, which allows one to experience joy in enduring difficulties, rather than creating them. The text unequivocally states that no one has the right to snatch another's happiness.

The author prompts introspection: What is the central point of our lives? Self-interest or the welfare of others? Compassion or hatred? Purity of the soul or the contamination of karma?

Living a Meaningful Life Beyond Fleeting Pleasures

The text refutes the idea that life is merely about breathing and passing on. True fulfillment lies in attaining a state of fearlessness ("abhay") – a supreme offering where no living being is caused the slightest suffering by one's actions. Every moment of human life should be dedicated to this noble pursuit.

Equating temporary favorable circumstances with true happiness is described as narrow-mindedness and ignorance. Happiness that is transient, arriving today and departing tomorrow, cannot be considered true happiness. Wasting even a single moment of life for such fleeting pleasures is a grave error.

The author stresses that the suffering experienced by humans today stems largely from a lack of understanding regarding happiness. If one truly desires happiness, why should they embrace the causes of suffering (sin)? Basing one's life on a limited fifty or seventy-year lifespan is a misguided attempt to invite sorrow.

The Practice of True Dharma and Finding Happiness Within

The text highlights the importance of practicing the art of living that the Jinéshwaras (Tirthankaras) have illuminated, one that connects one's life to all three periods of time (past, present, and future). Attempting to find happiness through any means without deep investigation into the causes of suffering only plunges one deeper into a pit of misery.

Dislike of suffering should inspire dislike of sin. The cultivation of inner strength (sattva) through this practice leads to profound peace and well-being. Seeking refuge in the karma-less Vitraga Parmatma is presented as the eternal and effective solution to break free from the bondage of karma.

Conclusion: Happiness is Within, Not Without

The ultimate conclusion is that true happiness resides within the soul. The search for it must be directed inwards. If happiness were external, all worldly individuals would be happy, and all renunciates would be miserable. The text reiterates that attachment to the inanimate (jadtam) and aversion to the living (jeev) are key drivers of sinful behavior. Without a genuine hunger for a sinless life, the yearning for happiness remains merely a wish.

Those who consciously utilize every moment of their lives with the determination to be happy and refrain from causing suffering to any living being will never experience true unhappiness. Those who seek eternal happiness are truly happy at all times.

In essence, "Sukhno Tap" advocates for a life of spiritual discipline, compassion, and inner awareness, asserting that true, lasting happiness is an intrinsic quality of the soul, attainable through devotion and detachment from worldly desires and the causes of suffering.