Dear Sadharmik brothers and sisters,
Jai Jinendra!

On the fourth day of Paryushan Parva, traditionally we read from the Kalpasutra, a scripture that recounts the life of Bhagwan Mahavir, the 14 dreams of his mother before his birth, followed by the story of his birth, life, and liberation. Let’s learn more about Kalpasutra in the article by Dr. Kumarpal Desai.

Besides that, we will learn about the next two types of Karma and how they are formed.

Join the lectures live daily or listen to it at your convenience. Tune in to the Paryushan lectures by Dr. Kumarpal Desai, Dr. Jitendra Shah, and Dr. Bipin Doshi. Details are mentioned below.

Sincerely,
Mahesh Wadher
JAINA President

We are repeating the 3rd and 4th Gathas as both talks about Pruthvikaya Jiva.

Gatha 3
फलिहमणिरयण विद्दुम, हिंगुल हरियाल मणसिलरसिंदा|
कणगाई घाउ सेढी, वन्निय अरणेट्टय पलेवा||

Gatha 4
अब्भय तूरी ऊसं, मट्टी-पाहाण-जाईओ णेगा|
सोवीरंजण लुणाई, पुढविभेआई ईच्चाई||

Pruthvikaya jiva are living beings having earth, soil, minerals, etc. as their own bodies, also known as earthly bodies.

The different kinds of earthly bodies are stated below:
Quartz, pearl, gem, cinnabar, orpiment, mercury, metals like gold, silver, and platinum, chalk, red clay, coral, mica, alum, soda, sand etc. All varieties of stones, rocks, antimony, salt, etc are also categorized as earthly bodies.

Jain Dharma is the religion of righteous conduct. At its root is the meticulous observance of code of conduct by Sadhu/Sadhvis and, more importantly, illustrative life stories of Tirthankars. The very foundation of the whole structure of Jain Dharma is Shrut Kevali Acharya Shree Bhadrabahu’s Kalpasutra. Only after learning the tenets and deep meaning of religion can one enter the realm of Dharma.

Kalpasutra gives you a glimpse of the peaks of the Jain doctrines and also the vast ocean of knowledge and preaching. It is a scripture of virtuous and mindful conduct for the Sadhus and Shravaks (Monks and the laity) with in-depth insights. You may wish to watch the GSTV lecture series at 8:00 am IST during Paryushan.

Today will mark the beginning of the reading of the Kalpasutra in Upashrayas, and it is good to learn the importance of it. The word ‘Kalpa’ means conduct, and the boundaries spelled out for the monks are ‘Kalpasutra’. It is like a wish-fulfilling tree. By reading it, understanding it, continually meditating on it, and making a habit of it, a seeker can attain Nirvana. In fact, the eighth chapter of Acharya Bhadrabahu’s ten chapters ‘Dasha Shrut Skandh’ is titled ‘Pajjosana Kalpa’ or Paryushana Kalp. Over time, the chapter written 2,229 years ago, became famous as Kalpasutra. Kalpa means conduct, method, and code or discipline for monkhood. By practicing the right conduct, an aspirant can attain Nirvana.

The chapter “Paryushan Kalpa” holds special importance because Paryushan is the annual occasion for the study of scriptures and penance, and the practice of reading the eighth chapter during Paryushan, it has the importance of being an independent scripture. It is true that “Kalpasutra” does not have the essence of the 45 Agams in it, but it has gained the same reverence as Agam.

Kalpasutra is in the Ardhamagdhi language. It has simple, soft language where stanzas remind us of the Bhagwan Mahavir’s words. Every word with profound meaning is chosen in heart-touching manner.

There are many subjects covered in Kalpasutra. Mainly, it has the rules of conduct for the Sadhus and Sadhvis. Subjects like Chaturmas, (four months of remaining in one place), Pratikraman, Gochari (seeking of alms), obeisance to sadhus and Sadhvis, etc. are among the ten main rules of conduct are mentioned. The subjects distributed amongst discourses. Such as:

1. First discourse describes ten Kalpas, its’ importance, and Namuthhańam.
2. The second discourse covers ten Achheras (rarest occurrences) and the description of 27 lives of Bhagwan Mahavira.
3. The third discourse describes the 14 dreams and its importance.
4. The fourth discourse describes the lives of the parents, King Siddharth and queen Trishla of Bhagwan Mahavira, and the birth of our Bhagwan.
5. The fifth discourse describes the celebration of the Bhagwan Mahavira’s birth, schooling, marriage and Diksha (Renunciation of worldly life)
6. The sixth discourse describes the terrible Upsargas (punishing deeds) Bhagwan Mahavira was subjected to. The beautiful, logical, and skillful essence of Jain Philosophy in Gandharvad is explained along with the description of Bhagwan’s Nirvana.
7. The seventh discourse enumerates the lives of Bhagwan Parsvanatha, Neminath, Rushabhdev and the intervening period of twenty Tirthankaras.
8. The eighth discourse describes Sthaviravali – Thousands of years historical accounts of eleven Gandhars (chief disciples of Bhagwan Mahavira) and their spiritual descendant Sadhu and Sadhvis in Paat Parampara (chronological order)
9. The ninth discourse describes codes of conduct for Sadhus and Sadhvis.

Thus, the nine discourses completely cover Kalpasutra, which are read or lectured on during the eight days of Paryushan.

For the first three days of Paryushan, Ashtanika lectures are given. The first day covers the topics of Amaripravartana (message of non-violence), Chaitya Paripati (Visiting temples), Attham Tap (3 consecutive days fasting), Kshamapana (Forgiveness), and Sadharmik Vatsalya (Amity/goodwill towards others of the same faith). The second day is devoted to the yearly eleven duties of Shravaks and the third day describes the importance of Paushadh Vrat (a day of living like a sadhu).

During the next four days, the tradition is for daily two discourses on Kalpa Sutra - one in the morning and one in the afternoon totaling eight discourses. (there are rare instances of ninth discourse too.) The last – eighth day is the most pious Samvatsari day. Barsasutra is read on that day, and Samvatsari pratikraman is undertaken.

Along with the main subjects, Kalpasutra describes other various subjects like in the life story of Bhagwan Mahavira and an embryo transfer incidence. Also present are topics such as the science of dreams, medicine, palmistry, types of gems, a result of sins, transmigration of the soul into various species, cognition of one’s previous lives, etc.

Many Acharyas and scholars have penned treatises on Kalpasutra. It proves the importance of Kalpasutra. Famous German scholar Dr. Herman Jacobi has translated Kalpasutra in English and published it with beautifully written introduction. There were three sets of treaties published in the seventeenth century. The last one was readied in 1707 and is known as Khimshahi – by Pandit Shri Khimavijayji in Mahemdavad. It was first to read in the presence of the eminent merchant Hemabhai and Preemabhai. At that first reading, Hemabhai gifted (Prabhavana) all attendees a rupee - a princely sum at that time.

Between the 12th and 15th century Jain art of painting gained prominence. The Kalpasutra penned with pure gold and silver is available today to see. The various editions of Kalpasutra contain many beautiful paintings in Rajasthani, Mogul, and Persian styles. In the present age, multiple publishers have presented Kalpasutra with numerous paintings and on Samvatsari day the tradition of reading of Kalpasutra is carried out along with displaying those paintings.

Jain sages and scholars have spawned thousands of stanzas explaining Kalpasutra. Many generous individuals have gotten Kalpasutra manuscripts written and have donated the copies to the religious libraries as act of pious charity. The available oldest manuscript of Kalpasutra written on palm leaves is of the year Vikram Samvat 1247 that is 1191 CE. The manuscripts of Kalpasutra is one of the most valuable manuscripts in the world.

- Kumarpal Desai

The next two types of Karma are Ayusya and Nama Karma

5. Ayusya Karma :

The matter which creates life is called Ayusya Karma. This karma resembles a prison. A man imprisoned in jail cannot go or come according to his desire. Similarly, the soul remains imprisoned in the form of the body on account of this karma.

This karma has four types.

How is this Karma formed?

1. By taking those professions wherein living beings are killed every moment; 2. By hoarding; 3. By meat-eating; 4. A soul goes to hell by killing a living being having 5. Senses.
2. A living being goes to the tiryanca birth i.e. gets the birth of an animal or a bird by 1. telling lies deceitfully 2. by treachery 3. by telling lies; 4. by using wrong scales.
3. A living being, who is (1) naturally free from fraud, (2) who is courteous by nature, (3) merciful and free from jealousy, gets the birth of a human being.
4. A living being gets the birth of a god i.e. he becomes a god, a goddess, an Indra, or an Indrani by
   
   a) observing self-control after initiation,
   b) by observing the 12 vows as a householder,
   c) by performing penances and
   d) by enduring pain with equanimity.

The fruits of this karma

The accumulation of Ayusya karma decides the lifespan and the gati (Nark, Triyanca, Manushya, Dev) of a soul in the next birth.

6. Namakarma:

That matter (pudgala) on account of which various materials of life become available, is called ‘Namakaram’. This karma is like a painter. Just as a painter paints various types of pictures with a pencil or a brush, so the soul assumes bodies of various forms and shapes. This karma has 103 varieties.

How is this Karma formed?

Good ‘Namakarmas’ are accumulated by keeping the mind, speech, and body straightforward and pure and by behaving with love and friendliness with all. Bad ‘namakarmas’ are formed by keeping the mind, words, and body crooked and by quarreling.

The Fruits of this Karma

By good namakarma, one gets desired enjoyment, fame, beauty, happiness, health, etc.

By bad namakarma, one experiences scarcity, bad feelings, and pain. It also results in ill-fame, diseases, etc.

Source: www.jinalaya.com

Listen to today's lectures by Dr. Kumarpal Desai in Gujrati, by Dr. Jitendra Shah in Hindi and by Dr. Bipin Doshi in English. For the schedules and joining details please visit:
https://www.jaina.org/page/ParyushanMahaparv2020

With the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Jain Centers across the country are having to cancel their planned activities for the 2020 Paryushan Mahaparv. In the absence of these activities, JAINA has coordinated many virtual events for you to participate in. We are offering daily lectures and virtual Samvatsari Pratikaman for Deravasi, Sthanakvasi, and in English for participants in East, Central and West Timezones

There is no need to register for Deravasi , Aloyana or Sthanakvasi Pratikramans. To join just click on the below link which will take you to the JAINA website where you need to select the event you want to join.

If you have any questions please call Mahesh Wadher at 909 376 4027 or email to Mahesh.Wadher@gmail.com

Click Here to Attend Lectures and Samvatsari Pratikamans

Jivdaya during Paryushan is the most important of the 5 duties of a Shravak. That is the reason the first day of Paryushan is devoted to AMARI PRAVARTANA - a vow to not indulge in the violence of any kind. We express our acceptance of that vow by contributing to the Jivdaya fund.

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