Trini Chedsutrani - Book Summary

The book "Trini Chedsutrani" published by Agam Prakashan Samiti, Beawar, contains three significant Jain Chedsutras: Dashashrutskandha, Brihatkalpa, and Vyavhar Sutra. The provided text is a detailed summary and analysis of these texts.

Here's a comprehensive summary in English:

Overall Context:

The book is dedicated to the memory of the late Pujya Gurudev Shri Joravarmalji Maharaj and was compiled under the inspiration and editorial leadership of Yuvacharya Shri Madhukarmuni. It aims to present these foundational Jain texts with their original Sanskrit/Prakrit text, Hindi translation, commentary, annotations, and appendices. The publication signifies the completion of the Agam Granthmala, which has made all 32 Jain Agamas accessible to the public. The text emphasizes the importance of these scriptures in guiding the monastic life and upholding the purity of conduct.

Key Themes and Content:

The core of the provided text is a detailed explanation and summary of the three Chedsutras:

Dashashrutskandha (or Achardasha):
- Name Origin: Its name "Dashashrutskandha" comes from its ten chapters (Dash Adhyayans), and "Achardasha" highlights its focus on conduct.
- Content: This text covers a wide range of topics relevant to monastic life, including:
  - Dasa 1: Twenty Asamadhishthana (Non-peaceful States): Discusses twenty actions or states of mind that disturb peace and lead to spiritual downfall, such as hasty walking, improper cleaning of the path, improper disposal of bodily waste, excessive possessions, speaking improperly, disrespecting elders, harming living beings, anger, speaking harshly, backbiting, using definitive language without full knowledge, creating new disputes, reviving old conflicts, studying at improper times, and impure conduct.
  - Dasa 2: Twenty-one Shabaldosha (Serious Faults): Details twenty-one severe faults that contaminate character and lead to negative karma, including physical misconduct, illicit sexual relations, nighttime eating, consuming prohibited food (adhakarma), eating food meant for royalty (rajapinda), various types of impure food acquisition, repeated violation of vows, changing gacch (monastic community) frequently, transgressing water-use rules, repeated deception, accepting food from householders (sagariyapinda), intentional violence, false speech, theft, impure conduct regarding the earth and water elements, touching impure substances, and consuming forbidden items.
  - Dasa 3: Thirty-three Ashatanas (Disrespects): Enlists thirty-three ways in which a disciple can disrespect or offend their spiritual preceptor (Guru) or the monastic community (gan). These include disrespect in walking, standing, sitting, speaking, taking alms, and following the preceptor's instructions.
  - Dasa 4: Eight Types of Gani-Sampada (Qualities of a Leader): Outlines the essential qualities required for a monastic leader (Gani or Acharya), covering aspects like conduct, scriptural knowledge, physical attributes, speech, teaching ability, intellect, practical application of knowledge, and organizational skills. It also details the duties of an Acharya towards disciples and the responsibilities of disciples towards their Acharya.
  - Dasa 5: Ten Chitrasamadhi-sthana (States of Mental Equanimity): Describes ten situations or internal states that can lead to or enhance mental equanimity, such as contemplating dharma, recollecting past lives, experiencing auspicious dreams, divine visions, acquiring divine knowledge (avadhi), divine perception, mind-reading knowledge (manahparyavajna), omniscience (kevaljnana), omniperception (kevaldarshan), and attaining liberation (nirvana).
  - Dasa 6: Eleven Upasak-Pratima (Layperson Vow Stages): Details eleven stages of spiritual progress for lay followers, starting from basic ethical conduct and gradually progressing towards a more ascetic lifestyle, culminating in a life resembling that of a monk.
  - Dasa 7: Twelve Bhikshu-Pratima (Monastic Vow Stages): Outlines twelve rigorous stages of practice for monks, progressively increasing in austerity and adherence to vows, including specific rules about diet, posture, and conduct during these stages.
  - Dasa 8: Paryushana-Kalpa: Explains the practices and regulations for the Paryushana festival, a significant period of fasting and spiritual discipline for Jains.
  - Dasa 9: Thirty Mahāmohanīya-Bandha (Thirty Causes for Intense Delusion-Karmic Bond): Lists thirty actions and attitudes that lead to severe karmic bondage related to delusion and attachment, such as violence, cruelty, dishonesty, improper conduct, pride, and attachment to worldly pleasures.
  - Dasa 10: Ayati-Sthana (Causes of Future Births/Resolutions): Discusses thirty types of resolutions (nidana) that, driven by desire for worldly or heavenly pleasures, can lead to continued transmigration in the cycle of birth and death, hindering the ultimate goal of liberation.
Brihatkalpa Sutra:
- Name Origin: "Kalpa" relates to rules and conduct, and "Brihat" signifies its extensive nature. It details the rules of conduct for monks and nuns.
- Content: This text elaborates on the practical rules and regulations for monastic life, covering:
  - Acceptability of Food and Objects (Kalpya-Akalpya): Extensive rules about what food items, utensils, and clothing are permissible for monks and nuns, often with detailed distinctions based on their preparation, acquisition, and context. It addresses issues like accepting food from specific households, the conditions for accepting food, the rules regarding fruits and vegetables, and the use of water.
  - Rules of Residence: Guidelines on where monks and nuns can stay (upasraya), including prohibitions on staying in certain locations like those with open doorways, marketplaces, or those with pictures, and the required conditions for residence.
  - Conduct in Monastic Communities: Rules regarding interactions between monks and nuns, the hierarchy within the monastic order, and the conduct expected from seniors and juniors.
  - Penances and Expiations: Details various types of penances for breaches of conduct, classifying them based on the severity of the offense.
  - Rules for Specific Circumstances: Covers conduct during different seasons (hemanta, grishma, varsha), dealing with specific situations like encountering animals, dealing with landlords, and managing lost property.
Vyavhar Sutra:
- Name Origin: "Vyavhar" refers to conduct, proceedings, and the rules governing interactions and disciplinary actions.
- Content: This text focuses on the practical administration of monastic discipline, addressing:
  - Disciplinary Actions and Penances: Details the process of confession (alochana), repentance (pratikramana), and various forms of penance (prayaschitta) for monastic offenses. It categorizes offenses and prescribes specific penances, including those that are more severe (like the 'Chhed' and 'Mool' categories).
  - Rules for Monastic Leaders: Outlines the qualifications and responsibilities of monastic leaders like Acharyas, Upadhyayas, and Ganadharas, including their conduct, teaching duties, and disciplinary powers.
  - Gaccha (Monastic Community) Management: Discusses rules related to the functioning of the monastic community, including the process of accepting new members, appointing leaders, managing disputes, and dealing with erring members.
  - Specific Rules for Conduct: Covers rules related to specific situations, such as solitary wandering (ekalavihara), interactions with householders, handling of alms, and the conduct expected from monks and nuns in various social and environmental contexts.
  - Case Studies and Examples: The text often uses illustrative examples and dialogues to explain the application of these rules.

Methodology and Authorship:

The publication highlights the collaborative effort of several prominent Jain scholars and monks, including Madhukarmuni, Kanhaiyalal Maharaj, Trilokmuni, Devendramuni, and Ratanmuni, with Madhukarmuni serving as the chief editor. The translation, commentary, and annotation are primarily attributed to Muni Shri Kanhaiyalalji 'Kamal' and Muni Shri Tilokmuniji, under the guidance of Yuvacharya Shri Mishrimalji Maharaj 'Madhukar'. The work is published by Shri Agam Prakashan Samiti, Beawar.

Significance:

The "Trini Chedsutrani" provides a comprehensive guide to the ethical and disciplinary framework of Jain monasticism. It delves into the minute details of conduct expected from monks and nuns, covering a vast array of situations and potential breaches of discipline, along with their prescribed penances. The text underscores the Jain emphasis on a disciplined life for spiritual progress and the meticulous regulations designed to uphold the purity of the Jain religious order. The detailed explanations and commentaries aim to make these ancient scriptures accessible and understandable to a wider audience.

Overall, the "Trini Chedsutrani" is presented as an essential text for understanding the practical application of Jain monastic code, emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct, rigorous discipline, and the meticulous adherence to rules for spiritual advancement.