Kundakunda Acharya and Jain Philosophy

Author(s): Jayantilal Jain
Publisher: Research Foundation for Jainology Chennai

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it cannot be created and it cannot be destroyed. So, with the development of one form of a matter, the other form perishes, but the matter as such neither takes birth nor perishes, it remains unchanged. After this, the Acharya has thrown light on the Saptabhangi and has discussed good uses and bad uses of the same.
While concluding the chapter "knowable", the Acharya makes it clear that an attached soul creates a bondage and a non-attached soul remains free from the bondage of karma. in a nutshell, this is the essence of bondage and Moksha.
While starting the chapter on "conduct", the Acharya provides inspiration for adopting munidharma and makes it clear that if one desires to get rid of the sorrows completely one must adopt Munidharma. Then he tells the duties of a Muni. According to him, a Muni must abide by the following twenty eight rules. Five great vows, five Samiti, five sensecontrols, removal of hair, six essential duties, removal of clothes, asnana (nonbathing), sleeping on earth, adantadhovan, to take food in a standing position and to take food once a day. These are the twenty eight basic rules to be observed by a muni. If a muni violates these rules, he cannot achieve Moksha. The Acharya has discussed in detail what a sadhu should do, what he should not do if there is any violation then how to rectify it etc.
Towards the end of the chapter on "conduct", the Acharya has thrown light on the Mokshatattva. He tells that who is away from false activities and concentrates on the nature of the self, understands the nature of other matters and is away from love and hatred, and who enjoys peace is a sadhu in the real sense. Although several duties/rules are prescribed for a muni, these are mere description of how he withdraws himself from mundane activities. The real dharma/conduct of a muni is only of one kind, i.e., to attempt to continue to keep himself busy on meditation of the pure-self.. Such a great muni will soon achieve Salvation (nirvana).
Pravachanasara composed by Kundakunda Acharya is a collection of the gists of the sermons delivered by the omnicient Arhantas.
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