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Gujarati, etc. Its first English translation was published as early as in 1895. It is now available under the sacred books of the east vol. 45. There are many short and long commentaries on this text written since the ninth century AD. With the help of these translations, any person can read, understand and estimate the value of the book.
Let us now turn to the summary of the content of this important text. The book tells us that human life is rare and difficult to attain. However, it is human life, which leads us to ultimate happiness. Hence, it is necessary to make the best use of the human life. One must try to enrich it with the highest human values and enlightenment. It allures people towards the ascetic life, which is a life of better internal happiness. The text tells us that there are four things, which are rare:
· Human life
Sermons of the Jinas
Right or rational vision, and
Right conduct of restraints.
One must realize that Mahävir was the highest among the ascetics of his days. He had many followers with proper faith and understanding. He inspired many people to his path as a means of the outer and the inner happiness of the permanent nature. He also laid stress as an ascetic, the path of detachment, where one would have to face 22 types of difficulties. One will have to bear many hardships of a physical and mental nature to transform oneself as a true ascetic.
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Uttarädhyayan Sutra teaches us many points of ascetic life through the stories of Kapila, Nami, Mrugaputra, Sanjay, Rathanemi, Jay-ghosha, Vijay-ghosha, and many more. They suggest that ascetic life accrues from the previous good Karma. One must think and act well all the time. A chapter tells us the story of an ascetic who is not given the due regard by high caste people. Later on, his sermons yield him the credit. Mahävir says the asceticism can be cultivated without any restrictions of the caste and creed. This is the basis of universality of the religion.
The text mentions that carelessness and indolence is not good. Too much attachment or indulgence is also bad. The ambitions and desires of the men are limitless. They cause dissatisfaction and lead to an unhappy life. One should practice cultivation of the good qualities, which may moderate the obstructive attitudes. To get away from bad actions and thoughts is the best sacrifice one can have.
A good number of chapters describe the basic tenets of the Jain system. The practice of these tenets is the milestone of the inner and outer purification. The Karma theory is the essence of the Jain system. The practice of equanimity (Sämäyika) and meditation has been described. The theory of Leshyä (state of mind and karmic stains) is one of the most important psychological principles that reflect one's thought process.
The Jainism is an action oriented religion. However, the action bears the result only when performed with meticulous care without lapses of omission and commission.
The last chapter is very important for us. It gives us the details about the living and the non-living world. It deals with physics, chemistry, botany and zoology. The nonviolence has been described in chapters dealing with the different qualities and vows of the ascetics.
Kalpa-sutra (Agam Literature)
Traditionally most revered scripture for Shvetämbar is Kalpa-sutra, read during fourth to eighth day of Paryushan. Kalpa means an activity, which enhances religious knowledge, conduct and self-control. This scripture, which gives rules for monastic life during rainy season, was originally the eighth chapter of the Anga-bähya Ägam Dashä-shruta Skandha. The chapter has in fact been made into a separate book, to which are appended both a collective biography of the Tirthankars, and a lineage of successors to the Ganadhars. Ächärya Bhadrabähu composed these three chapters in Ardha-Mägadhi language, collectively called Kalpa-sutra in 3rd century B.C. and it has 1216 verses. In 454 A. D., for the first time it was penned down on palm-leaf during Vallabhipur recension. Traditionally it was recited only among Sädhus during Paryushan. However, the Kalpa-sutra has been recited in public for over 1500 years, ever
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