It is well-known that the Jain tradition has been extremely influential in the development of Indian thought and culture. The Jain tradition teaches that there is an interdependence of perception, knowledge, and conduct unified by an axiomatic principle of non-violence in thought, speech, and action. In this way, non-violence defines the core of the Jain tradition, which has had a profound effect on other dharmic traditions originating in India. Jain Dharma is so significant that in some ways it may be incomplete to attempt to understand other Indian traditions (such as Buddhism or Hinduism) without knowing the basics of the Jain tradition, since these other traditions developed in an ongoing dialogue with the insights and wisdom of Jain respondents and visionaries. This book enables the reader to enjoy a comprehensive journey into the intricate world of Jain thought and culture in a way that is philosophical in its compelling rationality, deeply spiritual in its revelations, yet accessible in its language. The organization of this book allows the reader to engage in an overview of the central teachings of the Jain tradition, but also to ascertain the profundity of its depths. It can be read with equal efficacy in succession from beginning to end, or pursued by individual topics of interest to the reader. Either strategy will have the same effect: a systematic understanding of what the timeless teachings of Jain thinkers have to say about the universal issues of the human condition - and how we might understand our harmonious relationship with other living entities as a powerful and effective spiritual journey. An Introduction to Jain Philosophy An Introduction to Jain Philosophy Based on Writings and Discourses by Ācārya Sushil Kumar Parveen Jain Foreword by Rita Sherma Prologue by Jeffery D. Long Edited by Cogen Bohanec Copyright © 2019 by The Parveen and Neeraj Jain Endowment All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission from the copyright owner. The round Arhum Yoga symbol on the front cover was designed by Ācārya Sushil Kumar for the Siddhachalam Jain tīrtha in New Jersey and is a registered trademark of the International Mahavira Jain Mission (www.IMJM.org). ISBN: 978-1-7332236-0-7 (hardcover) The Parveen and Neeraj Jain Endowment 2636 Gayley Place San Jose, California 95135 [email protected] D.K. Printworld (P) Ltd. Vedaśrī, F-395, Sudarshan Park ESI Hospital Metro Station, New Delhi - 110015 www.dkprintworld.com [email protected] Originally published in India in 2019 Printed in India First edition 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 To Ācārya Sushil Kumar — my Gurujī and beacon of light — whose inspiration and spiritual guidance awakened me to connect with my inner-self and Neeraj Jain — my wife and soulmate — for everything Contents Ācārya Sushil Kumar xv Foreword – Dr. Rita Sherma xxi Prologue – Dr. Jeffery D. Long xxiii Preface xxvii Acknowledgments xxxi Editor’s Note xxxiii Scheme of Transliteration xxxv 1. Characteristics of Jain Dharma (Jain Dharma kā Svarūpa) 1 Wisdom and Ethics Described in the Sthānāṅgasūtra 4 2. A Glimpse into the Past (Atīta kī Jhalaka) 13 Lord R̥ṣabhadeva 15 Jain Dharma in the Ancient Hindu Upaniṣads 21 Jain Dharma in the Medieval Hindu Purāṇas 22 Tīrthaṅkaras of Jain Dharma 26 Lord Ariṣṭanemi (Lord Neminātha) 26 Lord Pārśvanātha 28 Lord Mahāvīra 30 Lord Mahāvīra’s Benevolent Community 35 Lord Mahāvīra’s Contributions 36 Religious Leaders during the Time of Lord Mahāvīra 38 Lord Mahāvīra and Lord Buddha 39 viii | AN INTRODUCTION TO JAIN PHILOSOPHY Mahāvīra and Buddha: Similarities and Dissimilarities 39 Similar Inspiration between Buddhist and Jain Doctrines 39 The Seven Ninhavas and Other Opponents of Lord Mahāvīra 41 Divisive Issues 42 Fundamental Vows: Four or Five? 42 Ascetics with or without Clothes 42 Jain and Vedic Philosophies Supplement Each Other 45 for Completeness Influence of the Śramaṇa Tradition on Other Religions 46 Hardships Endured by the Śramaṇa Community 47 Jain Śramaṇa Proliferation 49 Lord Mahāvīra and His Contemporary Society 50 Supporting the Popular Language of the People 53 Lord Mahāvīra’s Message to the World 53 The Disciple Tradition 54 3. Path to Salvation – Right Perception 57 (Mukti-Mārga – Samyag-Darśana) Right Perception (Samyag-Darśana) 59 Eight Elements of Samyag-Darśana 64 4. Right Knowledge (Samyag-Jñāna) 67 Genuine versus Spurious Knowledge 68 Knowledge or Wisdom (Jñāna) 68 Direct and Indirect Nature of Knowledge 69 (Parokṣa- and Pratyakṣa-Jñāna) Empirical Knowledge (Mati-Jñāna) 69 Stages of Mati-Jñāna Development 70 Scriptural Knowledge (Śruta-Jñāna) 72 Difference between Mati-Jñāna and Śruta-Jñāna 72 Authenticity of Śruta 73 Jain Scriptures and Their Sources 74 Clairvoyant Knowledge (Avadhi-Jñāna) 77 CONTENTS | ix Mind-Reading Knowledge (Manaḥ-Paryāya-Jñāna) 78 Supreme Knowledge (Kevala-Jñāna) 79 Discussion of Evidence Epistemology (Pramāṇa-Mīmāṁsā) 80 Alternate Classification of Pramāṇa 82 5. Analysis of the Universe (Viśva kā Viśleṣaṇa) 83 Arrangement of Substance (Dravya-Vyavasthā) 83 Purpose of Analyzing Substance (Dravya Mīmāṁsā kā Uddeśya) 83 What Are Substances? (Dravyas kī Rūparekhā) 84 Essence of the Universe (Viśva kā Mūla) 84 Constituents of Substance (Dravya Pr̥thakkaraṇa) 86 Living Substance (Jīva-Dravya) 88 Living Beings with One Sense (Sthāvara Jīvas) 91 Mobile Living Beings with Multiple Senses (Trasa Jīvas) 92 Non-Living Substances (Ajīva-Dravya) 93 The Substance That Is the Medium of Motion (Dharma-Dravya) 93 The Substance That Is the Medium of Rest (Adharma-Dravya) 93 The Substance That Is Space (Ākāśa-Dravya) 94 The Substance That Is Time (Kāla-Dravya) 94 Non-Sentient, Tiny Material Substance (Pudgala-Dravya) 95 6. The Discussion of the Fundamental Truth (Tattva-Carcā) 99 Soul: The Living and Sentient Entity (Jīva) 101 The Non-Living and Non-Sentient Substance (Ajīva) 102 The Righteous and Auspicious Karma (Puṇya) 102 The Wickedness Demerit That Causes Inauspicious Sinful 104 Karma (Pāpa) The Influx of Karma upon the Soul (Āśrava) 106 The Cessation of the Influx of Karma upon the Soul (Saṁvara) 107 The Dissociation of the Soul from Adhered Kārmic Matter 108 (Nirjarā) The Bondage of Karma to the Soul (Bandha) 109 The Ultimate Liberation (Mokṣa) 112 x | AN INTRODUCTION TO JAIN PHILOSOPHY 7. Fundamental Doctrines: Nayavāda, Anekāntavāda, and 115 Syādvāda The Doctrine of Fundamental Principles (Nayavāda) 115 The Essence of Viewpoints: Naya-Svarūpa 115 The Truth behind Naya (Naya kī Satyatā) 117 The Classification of Naya (Naya-Bheda) 118 Viewpoints That Deal with the Nature of Substances 118 (Dravyārthika-Nayas) Viewpoints That Deal with Modalities (Paryāyārthika-Nayas) 119 The Doctrine of Non-Absolutism (Anekāntavāda) 121 The Doctrine of Qualified Assertion (Syādvāda) 126 The Language Policy (Bhāṣā-Nīti) 130 Methodology for Systematic Formulation (Nikṣepa-Vidhāna) 130 8. Jain Psychology (Manovijñāna) 133 Senses (Indriya) 133 The Objects Perceived by the Senses (Indriyoṅ ke Viṣaya) 136 Mind (Mana) 138 The Kārmic Stains That Obstruct the Jīva (Leśyās) 141 The Passions and Kārmic Bondage (Kaṣāya) 145 The Passion of Anger (Krodha-Kaṣāya) 146 The Passion of Egoism (Māna-Kaṣāya) 147 The Passion of Deception (Māyā-Kaṣāya) 148 The Passion of Greed (Lobha-Kaṣāya) 149 Classification of Kārmic Bondage (Bandha) 150 Bonding due to Anger (Krodha-Kaṣāya Bandha) 150 Bonding due to Egoism (Māna-Kaṣāya Bandha) 150 Bonding due to Deception (Māyā-Kaṣāya Bandha) 151 Bonding due to Greed (Lobha-Kaṣāya Bandha) 151 9. Jain Yoga: Meditation and Union with Divinity 155 Yoga in Dhārmic Traditions 155 The Evolution of Yoga Practices 156 CONTENTS | xi Yoga and Jain Dharma 156 Characteristics of Yoga Practitioners 158 Yoga of Mind, Body, and Speech 159 Yoga of the Mind (Mana-Yoga) 159 Yoga of the Body (Kāya-Yoga) 160 Yoga of Speech (Vacana-Yoga) 161 Types of Yoga 161 Spiritual Yoga (Adhyātma-Yoga) 162 Five States of Mind 163 The Five Mental Anguishes (Kleśa) 164 The Eight Constituents of Jain Yoga (Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga) 165 The Supreme Vows (Mahāvrata) 167 The Principles of Yoga (Yoga-Saṁgraha) 167 The Bodily Deficiencies (Kāya-Kleśa) 168 Breathing Exercise with Restrained Thoughts (Bhāva-Prāṇāyāma) 168 Withdrawing Within (Prati-Saṅlīnatā) 169 Firm Concentration (Dhāraṇā) 169 Focused Contemplation or Meditation (Dhyāna) 172 Deep Meditation (Samādhi) 177 The Practice of Yogic Meditation (Dhyāna-Yoga Sādhanā) 179 Jain Yoga and Haṭha-Yoga 180 Yoga, Meditation, and Penance: Three Connected 180 Spiritual Practices 10. Spiritual Progression (Ādhyātmika Utkrānti) 183 Fourteen Virtuous Stages 183 Stages of Alienation from One’s Soul (Bahirātmā) 186 Internalized Stages Towards One’s Soul (Antarātmā) 188 Paramātmā Stages: The Soul at Its Highest 192 11. Doctrine of Karma (Karmavāda) 195 Classifications of Karmas 200 Knowledge-Inhibiting Karma (Jñānāvaraṇīya-Karma) 201 xii | AN INTRODUCTION TO JAIN PHILOSOPHY Perception- or Awareness-Inhibiting Karma (Darśanāvaraṇīya-Karma) 201 Hindrance-Causing Karma (Antarāya-Karma) 202 Delusion-Causing Karma (Mohanīya-Karma) 204 Karma That Causes Physical Experiences (Vedanīya-Karma) 205 Lifespan-Affecting Karma (Āyu- or Āyuṣya-Karma) 206 Designation of the Jīva Body-Type Karma (Nāma-Karma) 206 Clan of Birth Karma (Gotra-Karma) 207 States of Karma 207 Benefits of Karma Shedding (Karma-kaṣāya) 209 The Process of Transmigration (Punarjanma)