Vitragta Ke Vishishta Upasak Acharya Hastimalji - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Vitragta ke Vishishta Upasak Acharya Hastimalji" by Sampatraj Dosi:

This text, likely an excerpt or introduction to a larger work about Acharya Hastimalji, focuses on his profound understanding and practice of Vitragta (detachment or freedom from passions). The author, Sampatraj Dosi, portrays Acharya Hastimalji as a rare saintly practitioner who not only understood but also embodied the core principles of Jainism: non-violence (ahimsa), non-possession (aparigraha), and manifold aspect reality (anekant).

Key Themes and Acharya Hastimalji's Teachings:

The Foundation of Jainism is Equanimity and Right Faith: The text emphasizes that samata (equanimity) and samyagdarshan (right faith) are the root of all Jain principles. While an outward understanding of samyagdarshan involves faith in the true deity, guru, and dharma, its deeper, definitive meaning lies in the realization of the distinction between self and non-self, or soul and body. True understanding goes beyond mere verbal assertion that the soul is distinct from the perishable body; it is about an experiential realization, particularly the shedding of the fear of death.
Early Renunciation and Profound Insight: Acharya Hastimalji's commitment to the path of renunciation at the young age of ten and attainment of the Acharya's position at sixteen are attributed to the strong impressions from his past lives' spiritual practice. His deeply moving compositions, like "My inner self illuminated" and "I am the king of that city," are presented as clear reflections of his profound understanding of the soul-body distinction.
Universal Appeal and Respect: Despite belonging to the Sthanakvasi tradition, Acharya Hastimalji's spiritual stature commanded respect and devotion not only from his followers but also from adherents of other Jain traditions. This universality stemmed from his detachment from sectarianism.
Dispelling Misconceptions about Dharma: The text highlights Acharya Hastimalji's efforts to correct societal misunderstandings about dharma. A major misconception identified is the linkage of dharma's results to the afterlife, or to the acquisition of wealth, family, health, and fame. Dharma was wrongly perceived as a ritualistic act confined to specific places or times, thus disconnecting it from daily life.
Dharma as the Art of Peaceful Living and Immediate Fulfillment: The author stresses Acharya Hastimalji's view that dharma is essentially the art of living peacefully. Its fruit, like the immediate satisfaction of hunger by food or thirst by water, is immediate peace.
Emphasis on True Swadhyay and Samayik: To foster this practical understanding of dharma and equanimity, Acharya Hastimalji strongly advocated for swadhyay (self-study) for knowledge and samayik (meditative practice) for cultivating equanimity. However, the text notes with regret that these practices often became superficial. Swadhyay was reduced to merely reading, hearing, or reciting scriptures, and samayik was limited by external factors like place, time, or attire.
Unfulfilled Dream of Cultivating Equanimity: Acharya Hastimalji's ultimate dream was to see equanimity become an integral part of the lives of swadhyayis, practitioners, and even monks and nuns. He often expressed dissatisfaction with mere numerical growth in followers, stating that true societal reform would only occur when their lives became imbued with equanimity.
True Tribute Lies in Practice: The text concludes by asserting that the true tribute to Acharya Hastimalji is not just echoing his words but actively embracing the real essence of swadhyay and making equanimity and samayik a part of one's life, thereby striving for self-improvement and the betterment of society.

In essence, the text celebrates Acharya Hastimalji as a beacon of Vitragta, advocating for a profound, experiential understanding and practice of Jain principles, particularly equanimity, that permeates daily life and leads to immediate peace, rather than superficial rituals or the pursuit of worldly gains.