Jainism and Patanjali Yoga (Comparative Study)
by Deepak bagadia | 2016 | 109,819 words
This page relates ‘Tattvarthasutra: the summary of Agamas’ of the study dealing with the Spiritual Practices of Jainism and Patanjali Yoga in the context of ancient Indian Philosophy (in Sanskrit: Darshana), including extracts from the Yogasutra and the Tattvartha-Sutra. The system of Yoga offers techniques which are scientifically designed for the spiritual development of an individual. Jainism offers ethicical principles and meditation practices to assist with spiritual development.
Part 5.6 - Tattvarthasutra: the summary of Agamas
Acarya UmaSwami wrote “Mokshashastra” also called as “Tattvarthasutra”, in 2nd century in the form of first translation of Agams in Sanskrit which consists of 10 chapters inclusive of 344 sutras (as per Digambars, it includes 357 sutras). The Bhasya includes 2200 slokas. This scripture describes in details and systematic manners, the path to liberation through integration of Samyak Darsana, Samyak Jnan and Samyak Caritra.
33 sutras of first chapter of Tattvarthasutra deal with knowledge and describe Samyak Darsana and Samyak Jnan. Second chapter (53 sutras) deals with jiva and describes relation with and types of bodies, life span, senses, birth and related characteristics. The third (39 sutras) and fourth (42 sutras) chapters deal with four cycles and trilokas of common lives i.e. infernal abodes, middle world and heaven. Fifth chapter deals with ajiva matter and describes shad-dravyas, soul and non-soul. These five chapters are considered as Jnan-mimansa, treasure of knowledge. Chapters 6 to 10 of Tattvarthasutra are based on good conduct and so called as Charitra-mimansa. The sixth chapter (27 sutras) of Tattvarth sutra describes Asrav, causes of influx of Karmas. Seventh chapter (39 sutras) describes restraints and duties of laymen including 12 vrattas. Eighth chapter (26 sutras) deals with bondages (Bandh) and causes, types and states thereof. Ninth chapter (47 sutras) deals with stoppage and eradication of karmas (Samvar and Nirjara) and also conduct of monks. The ultimate objective of human life is well described in 10th chapter (9 sutras), Moksa-tattva.
Saman Suttam is the religious text created in 1974 by a committee consisting of representatives of each of the major sects of Jaina to reconcile the teachings of the sects under the guidance of a great saint Shri Vinoba Bhave. After a gap of about nearly two thousand years following composition of Tattvarthasutra by Acarya Umasvati, this was the first text to be recognized by all Jain sects. It consists of four chapters, mainly focused on summary of Agama.
It includes following meanings of few sutras:
-) Whatever you wish for yourself, do the same with others. Don”t do that you don”t wish to be done with you.
-) That who knows self, can know others.
-) Ahimsa and himsa totally is a mental intension. Generation of raga and dvesa itself is violence.
-) We can”t stop dravya-himsa, it will continue till we live, but can control or stop bhav-himsa, which is primary cause of bondage of karma. Deliberate or intentional himsa should be prevented
-) Jain Yoga includes rigorous observance of moral percepts especially Ahimsa (non-violence) with an extensive teaching about the causal force (doctrine of karma) associated with human behaviour[1].