Teachings Of Lord Mahavira - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Teachings Of Lord Mahavira" by Ganesh Lalwani, based on the provided pages:

This book, published by Jain Bhawan and compiled by Ganesh Lalwani, presents the core teachings of Lord Mahavira, a pivotal figure in Jainism. It's a concise guide to spiritual discipline and ethical conduct aimed at achieving liberation (moksha).

Key Themes and Teachings:

The Journey of Life and the Afterlife: The text emphasizes that life is a journey, and preparing for the "next world" is crucial. Just as one needs provisions for a physical journey, one needs dharma (righteous conduct) to navigate the spiritual journey without suffering. Observing dharma leads to happiness and reduces the burden of karma.
Conquering Inner Foes (Kashayas): Lord Mahavira identifies four primary enemies of the soul: anger, conceit, deceit, and lust. These are described as "black kashayas" that fuel rebirth. The teachings provide a clear path to overcoming them:
- Anger is conquered by calmness.
- Conceit is conquered by meekness.
- Deceit is conquered by straightness.
- Lust is conquered by contentment. Conquering these brings virtues like endurance, tenderness, sincerity, and contentment, and helps shed accumulated karma.
The Difficulty and Value of the Path: The text acknowledges that relinquishing pleasures and worldly attachments is difficult. However, it likens the journey of spiritual liberation to traders crossing a vast ocean, with the body as the ship. It highlights the rarity and importance of obtaining right understanding and a human birth.
The Path to Moksha (Liberation): The path to moksha is explicitly defined as Right Knowledge, Right Faith, and Right Conduct. This involves purifying knowledge, forsaking folly, destroying likes and dislikes, serving preceptors and elders, studying scriptures diligently, and living according to their wisdom.
The Role of the Preceptor: Humility and respect towards one's spiritual teacher are paramount. A good pupil is one who is prompt, understands the preceptor's guidance, expresses assent, and executes advice diligently. Arrogance, anger, deceit, or carelessness towards a teacher leads to ruin. Humility is the root of dharma, leading to quick learning, fame, and ultimately, liberation.
Self-Control (Self-Conquest): The most significant victory is conquering one's own self, which is presented as more valuable than conquering thousands in battle. While difficult, self-conquest leads to the subjugation of the senses and the four kashayas. It's better to achieve self-restraint voluntarily than to be forced by external constraints or death.
Overcoming Delusion and Desire: Delusion and desire are seen as the root of suffering and the cycle of birth and death. Desire stems from delusion, and lust from desire. The path to ending suffering involves eliminating delusion, which is achieved by forsaking desire, lust, and ultimately, all possessions and attachments. The teachings advocate for detachment from sensual pleasures (sound, sight, smell, taste, touch).
The Five Great Vows (Implied): While not explicitly numbered as the five vows throughout, the text strongly emphasizes their core principles:
- Ahimsa (Non-violence): Kill not, nor cause slaughter, nor approve of it. Treat all creatures as oneself.
- Satya (Truth): Speak only what is seen, with moderation and clarity. Avoid harsh or harmful truths.
- Asteya (Non-stealing): Do not take anything unless it is given.
- Brahmacharya (Celibacy/Chastity): Control of sensual desires, particularly towards women. This includes avoiding their sights, thoughts, and talk.
- Aparigraha (Non-possession/Non-attachment): The text clarifies that possession refers to attachment, not merely owning things. Equanimity towards sensory experiences leads to freedom from love and hatred, and thus attachment.
The Nature of a Bhikshu (Monk): A true monk is defined by internal qualities rather than external appearances (like tonsure, matted hair, or clothing). They are characterized by equanimity, abstinence, knowledge, penance, self-restraint, detachment from the body, lack of pride, freedom from worldly pursuits, and devotion to spiritual discipline.
The Impermanence of Life and the Danger of Carelessness: The teachings constantly remind the reader of the transient nature of life, beauty, and worldly possessions. Life is compared to dew drops or falling leaves. Carelessness, procrastination, and attachment to temporary pleasures are strongly discouraged, as they hinder spiritual progress and lead to suffering.
The Vanity of Worldly Trusts: Wealth, cattle, and kin offer no ultimate protection or solace at the time of death. Karma follows only the doer, and one must face the consequences of their actions alone.
The Four Difficult Attainments: The text identifies four things that are difficult but of paramount value: human birth, instruction in dharma, faith, and energy in restraint. It stresses the importance of utilizing these precious attainments effectively.
Venerable Conduct: Venerable beings are those who tolerate harsh words without retaliation, are free from envy, covetousness, deceit, and self-praise. Contentment and equanimity in all situations are key virtues.
Living in Dharma: Dharma is presented as the sole refuge and island of safety amidst the stream of birth and death. Embracing dharma leads to heaven, while embracing sin leads to hell. The teachings urge adherence to dharma before old age and declining senses set in.
The True Meaning of Brahmanahood: True Brahmanahood is not attained through birth, rituals, or external practices but through virtuous conduct. A true Brahmana is one who understands all living beings, practices non-violence in thought, word, and deed, speaks truth, does not steal, is free from attachment and desires, and is detached from worldly pleasures.

In essence, "Teachings Of Lord Mahavira" is a profound distillation of Jain philosophy, guiding individuals toward spiritual awakening through self-discipline, ethical living, and the conquest of inner vices, ultimately leading to the cessation of suffering and the attainment of eternal bliss.