Tattvartha Sutra

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, Tattvartha Sutra, as presented in the provided pages:

Overall Purpose and Presentation:

The Tattvartha Sutra, also known as Mokshashastra, is presented as the essence of the twelve Angas of Jain Agamas and a confluence of both ancient and later traditions. This particular publication by Puja Prakash Chhabda, published by Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur, aims to make the profound teachings of Tattvartha Sutra accessible to the common person, especially the new generation, through the use of charts and tables. The author and her husband, both with impressive professional backgrounds in the US, have dedicated their lives to Jain spiritual study and dissemination of knowledge.

Key Themes and Structure:

The Tattvartha Sutra is a foundational text in Jainism, covering the entirety of Jain philosophy and practice. The provided pages offer a detailed index and explanations of the core concepts, organized chapter by chapter. The primary goal is to explain the path to liberation (Moksha).

Chapter Summaries (Based on the provided index and content):

• Chapter 1: Moksha Marga (The Path to Liberation)

  • Defines the path to liberation as the combination of Right Faith (Samyak Darshan), Right Knowledge (Samyak Gyan), and Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra).
  • Explains the Seven Tattvas (Essences): Soul (Jiva), Non-Soul (Ajiva), Influx (Asrava), Bondage (Bandha), Stoppage (Samvara), Elimination (Nirjara), and Liberation (Moksha).
  • Details the means of knowing these substances, including Pramana (Valid Knowledge), which is divided into Paroksha (Indirect) (comprising Mati Gyan and Shrut Gyan) and Pratyaksha (Direct) (comprising Avadhi Gyan, Manahparyaya Gyan, and Keval Gyan).
  • Explains the types of knowledge, their characteristics, and the four types of Niksépa (Classification): Nama, Sthapana, Dravya, and Bhava.
  • Also covers Naya (Standpoints) which are crucial for understanding the multi-faceted nature of reality.

• Chapter 2: Jiva ke Asadharan Bhav (Extraordinary States of the Soul)

  • Focuses on the five fundamental states (Bhavas) of the soul: Aupashamika (Suppressed), Kshayika (Destroyed), Mishr (Mixed), Audayika (Resultant), and Parinamika (Essential/Natural).
  • Details the various sub-categories within each of these states.
  • Explains the role of the eight types of Karma in influencing these states.
  • Discusses the classification of souls, including Samsari (Worldly) and Mukta (Liberated) souls, and the subdivisions based on the number of senses, the presence of mind, and their life forms (Sthavara and Trasa).
  • Describes the five senses and their respective objects, as well as the role of the mind.
  • Explains Vigrahagati (Embryonic State of Movement) and the various types of births.
  • Details the eighty-four lakh (8.4 million) life forms and the characteristics of the five types of bodies (Audarik, Vaikriyik, Aharak, Taijasa, and Karmana).

• Chapter 3: Lok ka Vistar (Description of the Universe)

  • Describes the structure of the Jain universe, divided into Adho Loka (Lower World), Madhya Loka (Middle World), and Urdhva Loka (Upper World).
  • Details the seven hellish realms (Narakas) and the beings residing there, including their suffering.
  • Explains the vast expanse of the Middle World, including the Jambudvipa continent, the central Meru Mountain, the seven regions, the six mountain ranges (Varshadhara Parvat), the six lakes, and the fourteen major rivers.
  • Explains the cosmic time cycles (Kal Chakra) of Utsarpini (Ascending) and Avasarpini (Descending) epochs and their impact on lifespan, height, and overall conditions.
  • Covers the Adhai Dweepa (Two and a half continents) where humans reside, differentiating between Karma Bhumi (Action Land) and Bhoga Bhumi (Enjoyment Land).
  • Details the lifespan and other characteristics of humans and various animal species.

• Chapter 4: Urdhva Loka (Upper World / Heavenly Realms)

  • Describes the celestial realms and the beings residing there, categorized into four classes (Nikayas): Bhavanavasi (Dwelling in Mansions), Vyantara (Intermittent Beings), Jyotishki (Luminous Beings), and Vaimanika (Celestial Beings residing in Vimanas).
  • Details the sub-categories within each class, their residences, lifespans, and the arrangement of Indras (celestial chieftains).
  • Explains the types of senses (Indriyas) and leshya (soul-colored emanations) of these celestial beings.
  • Discusses the unique types of celestial beings like Laukantikas and the concept of Bhavavatari (reincarnating in a specific world).

• Chapter 5: Ajiva Dravya (Non-Soul Substances)

  • Defines the six fundamental substances (Dravyas) of the universe: Jiva (Soul), Pudgala (Matter), Dharma (Motion Principle), Adharma (Rest Principle), Akasha (Space), and Kala (Time).
  • Explains the characteristics of each of these substances, focusing on their eternality, pervasiveness, formlessness (except Pudgala), and unique functions.
  • Details the concept of Pudgala (Matter), its attributes (touch, taste, smell, color), and its various modifications and transformations like sound, bondage, subtlety, grossness, form, division, darkness, shadow, heat, and light.
  • Explains the nature of Dharma and Adharma as principles of motion and rest, respectively, and Akasha as the space that accommodates all substances.
  • Discusses Kala (Time) as a subtle substance that causes change and the concept of Svadhyaya (Self-study) and Tapa (Austerities).
  • Explains the fundamental principle of Syadvada (Conditional Predication), which acknowledges the multi-faceted nature of reality.

• Chapter 6: Asrava (Influx of Karma)

  • Defines Asrava as the influx of karmic particles into the soul due to various activities of mind, speech, and body (Yoga).
  • Explains the three types of Yoga: Mano Yoga (Mental), Vachan Yoga (Vocal), and Kaya Yoga (Physical).
  • Categorizes Asrava based on the cause: Dravyasrava (karmic matter) and Bhavasrava (passions and mental states).
  • Details the thirty-nine sub-categories of Samparayika Asrava which lead to karmic bondage, categorized under senses, passions, vows, and actions.
  • Explains the concept of Adhikaraṇa (Basis or Support) for Asrava, both in terms of soul states and non-soul elements.
  • Lists the specific causes for the influx of each of the eight karmas.

• Chapter 7: Vrat and Samvara (Vows and Stoppage of Karmic Influx)

  • Defines Vrat (Vows) as the disciplined conduct that leads to the stoppage of karmic influx.
  • Differentiates between Maha Vrat (Great Vows) for ascetics and Anu Vrat (Minor Vows) for householders.
  • Explains the five vows (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha) and their respective five supporting vows (Bhavanas), which help strengthen the main vows.
  • Discusses the cultivation of positive mental states like Maitri (friendship), Pramoda (admiration), Karunya (compassion), and Madhyastha (equanimity).
  • Explains the importance of contemplating the transient nature of the world and the body to foster detachment.
  • Details the various types of violence (Hinsa) and the importance of Pratyakhyana (Renunciation).
  • Covers the fifteen types of misconduct (Atichara) for the five vows and the seven vows of the householders.
  • Explains Sullékhana (Voluntary Fasting unto Death) as a means of purifying the soul.
  • Discusses the importance of Dana (Charity) and its various forms and merits.

• Chapter 8: Bandha (Bondage of Karma)

  • Explains the causes of karmic bondage: Mithya Darshan (False Belief), Avirati (Lack of Restraint), Pramada (Negligence), Kashaya (Passions), and Yoga (Activities of Mind, Speech, and Body).
  • Details the four aspects of karma: Prakriti (Nature), Sthiti (Duration), Anubhaga (Intensity of experience), and Pradesha (Extent of karmic particles).
  • Lists the eight fundamental karmas and their respective sub-categories, emphasizing how they obscure the soul's innate qualities.
  • Explains the concept of Dravya Karma (Karmic Matter) and Bhava Karma (Karmic Passions) and their interplay.
  • Provides insights into the lifespan of various karmas and the causes for their particular manifestation.
  • Details the specific causes for the influx of Punya (Meritorious) and Papa (Demeritorious) karmas.
  • Explains the distinction between Sarvaghata (Completely Obscuring) and Deshaghata (Partially Obscuring) karmas.

• Chapter 9: Samvara and Nirjara (Stoppage and Elimination of Karma)

  • Reiterates Samvara as the stoppage of karmic influx through virtuous conduct, restraint, and adherence to principles.
  • Explains the means of achieving Samvara: Gupti (Control of senses and mind), Samiti (Careful conduct in activities), Dharma (Virtues), Anupreksha (Contemplation), Parīṣaha (Endurance of hardships), and Charitra (Conduct).
  • Explains the forty-two types of hardships (Parīṣaha) that ascetics must endure for karmic purification.
  • Defines Nirjara as the shedding of accumulated karma through Tapa (Austerities).
  • Differentiates between Bahya Tapa (External Austerities) (fasting, moderation, seclusion, etc.) and Abhyantara Tapa (Internal Austerities) (penance, humility, service, study, detachment, meditation).
  • Details the six types of internal austerities and their various sub-categories.
  • Explains the four types of Meditation (Dhyana): Arta (Sorrowful), Raudra (Fiery/Cruel), Dharma (Righteous), and Shukla (Pure/White), with Dharma and Shukla Dhyana being conducive to spiritual progress.

• Chapter 10: Moksha (Liberation)

  • Defines Moksha as the complete and eternal liberation from all karmic bondage.
  • Explains that liberation is achieved through the complete destruction of the four Ghātiya (soul-obscuring) karmas.
  • Describes the state of the liberated soul (Siddha) as one of omniscient, omnipotent, blissful, and eternally free.
  • Explains the soul's upward movement to the Siddhashila (Abode of the Siddhas) at the top of the universe.
  • Discusses the qualities and characteristics of the Siddhas, emphasizing their unity in essence but diversity in their pre-liberation experiences (like the time of liberation, the path they followed).
  • Explains the concept of Alpabahutva (Comparison of quantities) of souls that attain liberation from different realms and at different times.

Innovative Presentation:

The book's unique selling proposition is its use of charts, tables, and diagrams. This visual approach is highlighted as a significant advantage for the modern learner, making complex Jain doctrines easily understandable and memorable. The introductory sections and endorsements from respected scholars further underscore the value and effort put into this pedagogical approach.

Author's Background and Motivation:

The preface and author introduction reveal that Puja Prakash Chhabda and her husband Prakash Chhabda, despite having successful careers in computer science and accounting in the US, have renounced their worldly lives at a young age to dedicate themselves to Jain religious study and propagation. Their motivation stems from a deep spiritual calling and a desire for self-welfare and the welfare of others. They are praised for their dedication, scholarly depth, and innovative teaching methods.