Tattva Nischayrup Bodhiratnani Durlabhta

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Tattva Nischayrup Bodhiratnani Durlabhta" by Punyavijay, based on the provided pages:

The text emphasizes the extreme rarity and supreme importance of attaining "Bodhiratna" (the jewel of right understanding or supreme knowledge) in Jain philosophy. It contrasts this with the relative ease of achieving worldly powers like kingship or Indrahood.

Key Points:

• The Rarity of Bodhiratna: The author states that while worldly achievements such as becoming a king or Indra are not rare, the attainment of "Bodhi" is exceptionally difficult.
• The Cycle of Samsara: All souls have experienced countless worldly states in the past, but they have never attained "Bodhi." This lack of "Bodhi" is the reason for their continued existence and suffering in the cycle of birth and death (samsara).
• Conditions for Attaining Bodhi: A soul attains this supreme "Bodhiratna" only when, after an immense span of time (indicated by "an apartment of pudgala parvarta"), with only a fraction of a pudgala parvarta remaining in samsara, and with the duration of all karmas except longevity reduced to "antar-kalakotyopam," a soul can reach the state of "granthi" (a certain stage in spiritual progress) and then attain "Bodhiratna."
• Obstacles to Bodhi: The text identifies several factors that hinder the attainment of "Bodhi":
  • Listening to unrighteous scriptures (kushastra shravana).
  • Association with those who hold wrong views (mithyadrushtina sang).
  • Bad desires or inclinations (kupasana).
  • Lethargy or carelessness (pramadasheelata).
• The Value of Bodhi:
  • While achieving right conduct (charitra) is also difficult, the success of right conduct is dependent on the attainment of Bodhi. Without Bodhi, right conduct is ultimately fruitless.
  • Even souls who achieve right conduct but lack Bodhi can reach up to the ninth Trayavishthi (a high celestial realm) through excellent material actions, but they cannot attain liberation (nirvana) because they lack Bodhi.
  • A person who has not attained "Bodhiratna" is considered like a pauper even if they are a Chakravarti (universal emperor). Conversely, someone who has attained "Bodhiratna" is considered superior to a Chakravarti, even if they are a pauper.
  • Souls who have attained "Bodhiratna" do not get attached to anything in the world. They become free from possessiveness and devotion (mamattva-rahit) and exclusively worship the single path to liberation.
• The Sole Path to Liberation (Moksha):
  • The text unequivocally states that there is only one path to Moksha. Those who have attained the supreme state (paramapad), are attaining it, or will attain it, can only do so by first attaining "Bodhi." Therefore, one should worship and strive for "Bodhi."
  • This path is described as having no differences in opinion, no complexity, no distinctions, and no conflicting beliefs. It is a simple, serene (samadhi), stable (sthir), and naturally peaceful path. Its existence is eternal.
  • Without understanding the essence of this path, no one has attained, is attaining, or will attain Moksha in the past, present, or future.
• The Teachings of Lord Jina: Lord Jina, through his numerous rituals and teachings, has expounded this single path. The success of these actions and teachings lies in their acceptance for the purpose of attaining this path. If these actions and teachings are undertaken while forgetting this path, they are entirely futile.

In essence, the text is a profound discourse on the paramount significance of right understanding (Bodhi) as the ultimate goal and the essential prerequisite for spiritual liberation in Jainism, highlighting its extreme difficulty and the various obstacles that prevent its attainment.