Philosophy In Jain Agams: Tapācāra: (Conduct qua Penance)

In the Indian spiritual system, penance has an important role. Both Jain and Vedic thinkers have considered it as an essential part of spiritual practice. Penance is a key factor in the elimination of karmas. It makes the soul pure. According to Jain spiritual practice, the meaning of penance is not only restricted to austerities and fasting but also includes scriptural study, meditation, reverence etc. which are different forms of penance. Austerities and fasting are worth doing, but there are no generic rules pertaining to all. One should undertake tasks according to one's interest and capacity.

There are twelve types of penance in the Jain tradition. Without intending to get fame and reputation and without being depressed, the practice of twelve types of penance, both internally & externally is the conduct qua penance.

barasavihammi vi tave, sabbhintara bāhire kusaladiṭṭhe.
agilaye aṇājivi ṇāyavvo so tavāyāro.^[1]

The practice that destroys karmas and the unique cause of karmic destruction is called penance. That which eliminates eight kinds of karmas is penance.^[2]

Bāhya tapa (External Austerity)

There are two types of penance- internal and external. According to the Jain philosophy, the six types of external penance are as follows:

1. Anaśana-fasting
2. ūnodarī- semi-fasting i.e. reduction of food
3. Bhikṣācarī- conditional acceptance of alms
4. Rasaparityāga- abstinence from delicacies
5. Kāyakleśa- austerity like yoga posture etc. to control the body
6. Pratisanlinatā- seclusion.

1-2 Through fasting and reduction in food, one progresses towards control over one 's hunger and thirst.

3-4 Through conditional acceptance of alms and abstinence from delicacies, the lust for food comes to a limitation. Sleep and remissness also remains under control.

5. Through the practice of austerities like yoga etc. tolerance power develops. A tendency to bear pain with equanimity develops within the self.

6. Through seclusion, one remains with one's own self.^[3]

Through the practice of external penance, attachment towards body wanes. Attachment towards the body is a barrier towards spiritual upliftment.

Ābhyantara tapa (Internal Austerity)

There are six types of internal penance - Atonement, Reverence, Service, Scriptural study, Meditation and Abandonment. The practice of external penance is done for strengthening the internal penance. Acharya Mahapragya has explained the benefits of internal penance as:

1. Prāyaścitta (Atonement)- It develops a fear for transgression of conduct and creates an awareness towards spirituality.
2. Vinaya (Reverence) - It brings freedom from ego and develops a tendency of mutual help.
3. Vaiyāvṛtya (Service) - It develops the sense of service.
4. Svādhyāya (Spiritual study) - It keeps one away from useless conversation such as idle talk, gossiping, chatting etc.
5. Dhyāna (Meditation) - It develops concentration, concentration begets mental development and increases the power of controlling the mind and senses and ultimately complete control over mind is obtained.
6. Vyutsarga (Abandonment) - It helps in giving up the mineness towards the body and other objects.^[4]

Although, penance is also a part of conduct, it nonetheless has a significant place in the path of salvation. Hence, it is mentioned separately. This is a unique path for the destruction of karmas.^[5]

Objectives of the practice of Penances

Every activity has some or the other objectives. There arises a question as to why one should practice penances. The reason -

1. Penance should not be done for present birth (The wish for consuming material prosperity etc. for present birth).
2. Penance should not be done for next birth (The wish for consuming material prosperity etc. in the next birth).
3. Penance should not be done for name and fame
4. Penance should not be done for any objective, other than the elimination of karma.^[6]

It means that penance is prescribed only for the purification of soul in the Jain preachings. Besides for the purpose of self purification, an activity done for any other reason has not been taken as a means of freedom from karma.