Terapanth Aur Anushasan

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Terapanth aur Anushasan" by Sumermalmuni, focusing on the provided pages:

The text "Terapanth aur Anushasan" (Terapanth and Discipline) by Muni Shri Sumeram "Ladnun," a disciple of Yug Pradhan Acharya Shri Tulsi, highlights the paramount importance of discipline within the Terapanth Jain sect, to the point where the name "Terapanth" itself has become synonymous with discipline for other religious communities.

The author asserts that Terapanth is, in essence, a disciplined religious order, a significant legacy of its founder, Acharya Bhikshu. Acharya Bhikshu recognized the negative consequences of indiscipline in other religious communities and firmly believed that collective order cannot function without discipline, and true spiritual practice cannot be achieved in a state of disorder.

Acharya Bhikshu's core tenet was that self-will (मनमानी) obstructs spiritual progress. He established certain disciplinary rules to curb this, starting with his first writings in Samvat 1832. Key among these foundational rules are five critical tenets:

1. All Sadhus and Sadhvis must remain under the command of a single Acharya.
2. Journeys (Vihar) and Chaturmas (monsoon retreat) must be undertaken according to the Acharya's command.
3. Disciples should not create their own disciples.
4. The Acharya should initiate qualified individuals and, if an initiated person proves unsuitable, they should be separated from the monastic order (gan).
5. The Acharya should choose their successor, and all Sadhus and Sadhvis should accept this choice willingly.

These regulations are presented as liberating for the practitioner, freeing them from the anxieties of where to go, where to stay, or whom to travel with. The Acharya-centric system ensures that each practitioner simply needs to follow the Acharya's instructions, eliminating personal decision-making burdens in these matters.

The text addresses a potential criticism that these rules might bind individuals and limit freedom. It counters this by stating that a monk is a practitioner (sadhak), not an accomplished soul (siddha). Accomplished souls and omniscient beings are beyond rules. As long as one is in the state of ordinary consciousness (chhadmastha), awareness is crucial, and these rules act as vigilant guards for that awareness.

The author emphasizes that adhering to discipline is not about becoming dependent (paradhin). Instead, it's about outsourcing the practical management of one's life to someone else (the Acharya) and then dedicating oneself fully to spiritual practice with peace of mind. By entrusting all responsibilities to the Acharya, the practitioner is genuinely lightened and can pave their way towards engaged spiritual pursuit.

Beyond merely establishing rules, Terapanth places immense importance on their enforcement. The text provides examples of strict disciplinary actions:

• Acharya Bhikshu once expelled five Sadhvis simultaneously from the order in Chandaval for possessing more clothing than permitted by the rules. The focus was on the violation of the rule and the practice, not the individual.
• The fourth Acharya, Shrimadjjayacharya, excommunicated a monk for his carelessness towards the order's discipline. This monk had taken a needle back without permission and responded nonchalantly when questioned, considering it a trivial matter. Jayacharya emphasized that the issue was not the needle but the discipline and order, and a person who was careless towards these could not remain in the order. The monk's continued lack of remorse led to his expulsion.

The fundamental principle is that Terapanth accommodates those with illnesses or those who are naturally stern, but has no place for indisciplined individuals. This unbroken tradition, from Acharya Bhikshu to the present, is consistently maintained.

The text highlights that awareness of discipline is not limited to the Acharya lineage but extends to the Sadhus and Sadhvis themselves. They understand that indiscipline leads to a loss of respect and ultimately expulsion from the order.

Furthermore, lay followers (Shravaks and Shravikas) are also deeply committed to the order's discipline. They are prepared to take strict action against any indiscipline.

A significant anecdote illustrates this point through the life of Shri Juharmalji of Devriya in Mewar. Juharmalji was a devout follower. When Muni Nathrajji arrived, his Chaturmas was scheduled elsewhere. However, the Muni expressed a desire to stay in Devriya due to alleged knee pain, even though he was observed to be capable of walking for other purposes. The lay followers, including Juharmalji, confronted the Muni. They stated that the Acharya's decree for his Chaturmas must be followed. Juharmalji firmly asserted that while they hadn't been able to secure any other ascetic for their village's Chaturmas due to the absence of a specific Acharya's sanction, they could not allow the Muni to stay if he was not adhering to the Acharya's command. He clearly stated that knee pain seemed like an excuse and that the Acharya's command and discipline were paramount in their order. Juharmalji offered a choice: either proceed to the designated place with proper Vihar or leave behind the monastic possessions if he didn't wish to follow the Acharya's directive. This firm stance led the Muni to leave immediately, as if his knee pain had vanished.

The author concludes that every page of Terapanth's history bears the imprint of discipline. Lay followers, alongside monks and nuns, are vigilant about organizational rules and discipline. Anyone who violates discipline, regardless of their scholarly knowledge, is called out. This collective adherence to discipline is the reason why, after two hundred years, the order's discipline remains intact. As long as this discipline endures, Terapanth will continue to ascend towards progress and work for the welfare of humanity.

The text ends with a Sanskrit verse emphasizing that mere speed without proper direction is meaningless; true progress comes from understanding the goal and moving steadily towards it.