Tattvarthadhigam Sutram Part 09 - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on its core content regarding the Tattvarthadhigama Sutra, Chapter 9, and the accompanying commentary and translation.

Book Title: Tattvarthadhigam Sutram Part 09 Author(s): Rajshekharsuri, Dharmshekharvijay, Divyashekharvijay Publisher: Arihant Aradhak Trust

Overall Context and Introduction (Pages 1-8):

The initial pages of the text provide context about the publication and its lineage. It highlights the profound importance of the Tattvarthadhigama Sutra (also known as Tattvartha Sutra), attributed to the great Muni Umaswati. The text mentions the commentary (Bhashya) by Umaswati himself and the elaborate commentary (Vritti) by Shri Haribhadra Suri. It also showcases the extensive literary contributions of Acharya Shrimad Vijay Rajshekhar Surishwarji Maharaj, who is the primary translator and commentator for this volume (specifically Chapter 9). The publication is by Shri Arihant Aradhak Trust, with specific distribution details and pricing mentioned. The introductory pages also include acknowledgments and notifications regarding the distribution of the book for educational purposes.

Introduction to the Tattvarthadhigama Sutra and Chapter 9 (Pages 9-15):

The Sutra's Importance: The text emphasizes that the Tattvarthadhigama Sutra is primarily focused on Dravyānuyoga (the analysis of substances/essences) within the four anuyogas (branches of Jain scripture). It states that understanding this sutra leads to the dawn and strengthening of Samyakdarshan (right faith). The sutra is praised for encapsulating the essence of the entire Jain doctrine within a concise structure, often compared to fitting the ocean into a pitcher.
Author of the Sutra: Muni Umaswati is identified as the author. The text addresses the Digambara sect's skepticism regarding the Bhashya, attributing it to Umaswati, and presents arguments for its authenticity.
Author of the Commentary: Shri Haribhadra Suri is presented as the commentator (Tika) on Umaswati's Karika and Bhashya. His commentary is referred to as Dupdupika and is considered ancient, even preceding the commentary by Siddhasena Gani. The text notes that Haribhadra Suri's commentary is incomplete, extending only up to a certain point in the sixth chapter, with the remaining part completed by Yashobhadra Suri and later scholars.
Translator/Commentator of this Volume (Chapter 9): The primary translator and commentator of this specific volume, focusing on Chapter 9, is Pujya Acharya Shrimad Vijay Rajshekhar Surishwarji Maharaj. The text acknowledges the challenges faced during the translation due to his eye condition, emphasizing his determination and the support of his disciples.
Nature of the Text: The Tattvarthadhigama Sutra deals with the essence of Jain principles, particularly the seven dravyas (substances) like soul (jiva), non-soul (ajiva), etc. Chapter 9, as presented here, focuses on Āśravanirodhaḥ Saṃvaraḥ (the stoppage of influx of karmas through saṃvara).

Summary of Chapter 9 Content (Pages 28 onwards):

Chapter 9 of the Tattvarthadhigama Sutra delves into the concepts of Saṃvara (the stoppage of influx of new karmas) and Nirjarā (the shedding of existing karmas). The chapter's structure and the explanation of the concepts are outlined as follows:

Saṃvara (Stoppage of Karma Influx):
- Definition: Saṃvara is defined as the stoppage of āśravas (channels of karma influx) (Sutra 9-1).
- Means of Saṃvara: Saṃvara is achieved through gupti (restraint of mind, speech, and body), samiti (carefulness in activities), dharma (virtues), anuprekṣā (contemplations), pariṣaha (endurance of hardships), and chāritra (conduct) (Sutra 9-2).
- Gupti (Restraint): This involves the proper restraint of the three types of yoga (activity of mind, speech, and body). The text details the specific practices for restraining the body (kāya gupti), speech (vāk gupti), and mind (manas gupti), emphasizing carefulness, silence, and avoiding harmful thoughts.
- Samiti (Carefulness): There are five types of samiti: īryā (careful movement), bhāṣā (careful speech), eṣaṇā (careful alms-seeking), ādāna-nikṣepaṇa (careful handling of objects), and utsarga (careful disposal of waste) (Sutra 9-5). Each samiti is explained with detailed practices to avoid harming living beings.
- Dharma (Virtues): The ten virtues are listed as essential for Saṃvara: uttama kṣamā (forbearance), mārdava (humility), ārjava (honesty), śauca (purity/contentment), satya (truthfulness), saṃyama (restraint), tapas (austerity), tyāga (renunciation), ākiñcanya (non-attachment/poverty), and brahmacarya (celibacy/holy conduct) (Sutra 9-6). Each virtue is explained in detail with its philosophical meaning and practical application.
- Anuprekṣā (Contemplations): There are twelve types of anuprekṣā (reflective meditations) that aid in Saṃvara: contemplating the impermanence of worldly things (anitya), the helplessness of others (aśaraṇa), the cyclical nature of existence (saṃsāra), one's own isolation (ekatva), others' isolation (anyatva), the impurity of the body (aśuci), the influx of karmas (āśrava), the stoppage of influx (saṃvara), the shedding of karmas (nirjarā), the nature of the universe (loka), the rarity of obtaining enlightenment (bodhi durlabha), and the truthfully spoken path (dharma svākhyāta). These contemplations are explained to detach from worldly attachments and focus on the spiritual path.
- Pariṣaha (Endurance of Hardships): There are twenty-two types of hardships that need to be endured with equanimity for the sake of Saṃvara and Nirjarā (Sutra 9-9). These include hunger, thirst, cold, heat, insect bites, nakedness, austerity, women, travel, sitting, sleeping, abuse, violence, begging, loss of gain, illness, contact with grass, dirt, and bodily waste, honor, dishonor, ignorance, and wrong faith. The text discusses which hardships are associated with specific karmic conditions and how they are overcome. The chapter also categorizes the prevalence of these pariṣahas according to the stages of spiritual progress (guṇasthāna).
- Charitra (Conduct): The five types of chāritra are mentioned: sāmayika, chedopasthāpya, parihāravishuddhi, sūkṣmakṣāya, and yathākhyāta (Sutra 9-18). These represent progressive stages of ethical conduct and self-control.
Nirjarā (Shedding of Karmas):
- Means of Nirjarā: Tapas (austerities) are identified as the primary means for Nirjarā (Sutra 9-3).
- Types of Tapas: The text details Bāhya Tapas (external austerities) and Ābhyantara Tapas (internal austerities). There are six types of each.
  - External Tapas: Anśana (fasting), avamodarya (eating less), vritti parisankhyāna (limiting the scope of eating), rasa parityāga (abstinence from tasty foods), vivikta śayyāsana (living in solitude), and kāya klesha (body mortification/enduring discomfort) (Sutra 9-19). The text elaborates on these with various examples and practices, including detailed descriptions of complex austerities like the Kanakaavali, Ratnaavali, and Simhavikridita.
  - Internal Tapas: These are prāyaśchitta (penance), vinaya (humility/respect), vaiyāvr̥ttya (service), svādhyāya (study/self-reflection), vyutsarga (non-attachment/equanimity), and dhyāna (meditation) (Sutra 9-20). Each of these is explained with its significance and application.
- Dhyāna (Meditation): The text explains Dhyāna as the focus of attention on a single object (ekāgra cintā nirodha) for those with excellent physical constitution (saṃhanana) (Sutra 9-27). It further categorizes Dhyāna into four types: Ārta (sorrowful meditation), Raudra (fierce meditation), Dharmya (religious meditation), and Śukla (pure meditation) (Sutra 9-29).
  - Ārta Dhyāna (Sorrowful Meditation): This arises from the contact with unpleasant things (Sutra 9-31), pain (Sutra 9-32), separation from pleasant things (Sutra 9-33), and the desire for future favorable circumstances (Sutra 9-34). It is practiced by those with incomplete vows (avirata), partial vows (deśa virata), and those who are heedless (pramatta saṃyata).
  - Raudra Dhyāna (Fierce Meditation): This arises from thoughts related to violence, falsehood, theft, and protection of possessions (Sutra 9-36). It is also practiced by avirata and deśa virata.
  - Dharmya Dhyāna (Religious Meditation): This arises from contemplation on Ājñā (scriptural commands), Apāya (woes of existence), Vipāka (karmic consequences), and Saṃsthāna (nature of the universe) (Sutra 9-37). It is practiced by the heedful (apramatta saṃyata).
  - Śukla Dhyāna (Pure Meditation): This is the highest form of meditation, leading to liberation. It is described as being practiced by those with excellent saṃhanana. The text mentions its association with upśāntakṣāya (those who have subsided passions) and kṣīṇakṣāya (those who have eradicated passions) (Sutras 9-38, 9-39). The text further elaborates on the types of Śukla Dhyāna (pṛthaktva-vitarka, ekatva-vitarka, sūkṣmakriya pratipāti, and vyuparata-kriya nivṛtti) and their practitioners (Sutras 9-40 to 9-47).
Classification of Karma and Practices: The text details how different karmic conditions (karmaprakṛti) lead to various pariṣahas. It also elucidates the difference in Nirjarā achieved by beings in different stages of spiritual progress, from Samyakdarṣṭi to Jina, indicating an increasing degree of Nirjarā with spiritual advancement (Sutra 9-48). The text then classifies monks (nirgranthas) into five categories (pulāka, bakūśa, kuśīla, nirgranthas, snātaka) based on their adherence to practices, scriptural knowledge, internal states (leshya), and spiritual evolution (Sutra 9-49, 9-50). This classification highlights the gradual path towards liberation.

Key Themes and Concepts:

Saṃvara and Nirjarā: Chapter 9 is dedicated to explaining how to stop the influx of new karmas (saṃvara) and shed the existing ones (nirjarā) through virtuous conduct, contemplation, endurance, austerities, and meditation.
Spiritual Progression: The chapter outlines a clear path of spiritual progress, from basic restraints (gupti, samiti) to higher contemplations (anuprekṣā), enduring hardships (pariṣaha), and ultimately to pure meditation (śukla dhyāna) and liberation.
Discipline and Austerity: The text provides detailed explanations of various disciplines (charitra) and austerities (tapas), both internal and external, highlighting their importance in the Jain spiritual path.
Patience and Equanimity: The concept of pariṣaha emphasizes the importance of cultivating patience and equanimity in the face of worldly difficulties.
Wisdom and Knowledge: The text underlines the role of knowledge (jñāna) and right faith (samyakdarshan) as foundational for spiritual progress.

This summary aims to capture the essence of Chapter 9 and the accompanying commentary, presenting the core teachings and classifications within the Jain tradition as conveyed by this specific publication.