Jain Meditation
Encyclopedia
Jain meditation has been the central practice of spirituality in Jainism
along with the Three Jewels. Meditation in Jainism aims at realizing the self, attain salvation, take the soul to complete freedom. It aims to reach and to remain in the pure state of soul which is believed to be pure conscious, beyond any attachment or aversion. The practitioner strives to be just a knower-seer (Gyata-Drashta). Jain meditation can be broadly categorized to the auspicious Dharmya Dhyana and Shukla Dhyana and inauspicious Artta and Raudra Dhyana.
Jain meditation is also referred as Samayika. The word Samayika means being in the moment of continuous real-time. This act of being conscious of the continual renewal of the universe in general and one's own renewal of the individual living being (Jiva) in particular is the critical first step in the journey towards identification with one's true nature, called the Atman
. It is also a method by which one can develop an attitude of harmony and respect towards other humans and Nature.
By being fully aware, alert and conscious of the constantly moving present, one will experience their true nature, Atman.
The 24 Jain Tirthankaras are always seen in meditative posture and have practiced it deeply and attained enlightenment.
, the first Tirthankara in Jainism
, dating back to the prehistoric era of end of the stone age and starting of the agriculture age practiced meditation and attained enlightenment at Mount Kailash
. Bahubali
, son of Rishabha, practiced meditation for twelve months maintaining same standing posture. King Bharata, elder son of Rishabha, entered a trance state by fixing his gaze on his image in the mirror and got deep into meditation and finally attained enlightenment. Fixing the gaze on an object for meditation has been an important technique of Jainism.
Jains believe all twenty-four Tirthankaras practiced deep meditation, some for years, some for months and attained enlightenment. All the statues and pictures of Tirthankaras primarily show them in meditative postures. Acharya Mahapragya's conclusion of Acharya Kundakunda
's understanding on Mahavira's practices is that all other his penances, like fasting, were done to support meditation.
The Acaranga Sutra
describes meditation and spiritual practices elaborately and in minute detail of philosophy. The Sutrakritanga
, Bhagavati and Sthananga Sutra
s also give directions on contemplation, asana
and meditation. The Aupapatika
has an organised presentation of Tapoyga which is a kind of right conduct.
Acharya Bhadrabahu
of 400 BCE, practiced Mahaprana meditation for twelve years. Description of practice of samadhi meditation by many other acharya
is also found. Chandragupta Maurya
, the founder of Maurya Empire
, was Acharya Bhadrabahu's disciple and became a monk. He later migrated to South India
and it helped Jainism to spread there. Bhadrabahu also took Chandragupta Maurya
to South India along with him. Acharya Kundakunda
of first century BCE, Tamil Nadu
, opened new dimensions of meditation through books like Samayasāra
and Pravachansara. Holistic approach to salvation path is written and compiled in a single book Tattvartha Sutra
by Acharya Umaswati
.
Acharya Bhadrabahu II, Jinbhadra, Pujyapada Devanandi were great spiritual experts during the period of 4th, 5th, 6th century of CE. They made remarkable contribution through their literature. Haribhadra
in eight century and Acharya Hemachandra
in twelve century CE, presented meditation through different approaches and viewpoints. During eighteenth century CE, Acharya Vinay Vijay worte Shantsudharasa on contemplation practices. Upadhyaaya Yashovijay in the same century wrote extensively on meditation.
Acharya Mahapragya formulated Preksha meditation
in the 1970s and presented a well-organised system of meditation. Numerous Preksha meditation centers came into existence around the world and numerous meditations camps are being organised to impart training in it.
. Jains also use samayika to denote the practice of meditation. The aim of Samayika is to transcend our daily experiences as the "constantly changing" human beings, called Jiva
, and allow identification with the "changeless" reality in practitioner, called the atman
. One of the main goals of Samayika is to inculcate equanimity, to see all the events equanimously. It encourages to be consistently spiritually vigilant. Samayaika is practiced in all the Jain sects and communities. Samayika is an important practice during Paryushana
, a special eight- or ten-day period.
, The Tenth Head of Jain Svetambara
Terapanth
sect formulated Preksha Meditation
in 1970s. He practiced various meditation techniques for nearly 30 years and developed this well organized meditation system and presented it in scientific light. Preksha Meditation
is the combination of knowledge from ancient religious books, modern science and experience. Acharya Mahaprajna
made a deep research on Agam
- Jain holy scriptures, ancient scriptures, medical science, Yoga
science, Naturopathy, Ayurveda
, modern Physics
, etc. while developing this meditation system.
Preksha meditation
is the practice of purifying the emotions and conscious (chitta) and realizing the own self. It helps in leading a peaceful life and is a system of mediation for attitudinal change, behavioral modification and integrated development of personality.
The word preksha means 'to perceive carefully and profoundly'. In preksha, perception always means experience bereft of the duality of like and dislike, pleasure and pain. Impartiality and equanimity are synonymous with Preksha. Preksha is impartial perception, where there is neither the emotion of attachment nor aversion, neither pleasure or displeasure. Both these states of emotion are closely and carefully perceived but not experienced. And because both are perceived from close quarters, it is not difficult to reject both of them and assume a neutral position. Thus equanimity is essentially associated with preksha.
It aims at reaching and purify the deeper levels of existence. Regular practice strengthens the immune system, builds up stamina to resist against aging, pollution, chemical toxins, viruses, diseases.
Important elements in the system are Kayotsarg - Full awareness with complete relaxation, Perception of the breath, body, the psychic centres, psychic colors (lesya meditation), present moment, thought, Animesha preksha (fixing gaze at an object ), contemplation processes, Yoga
and Pranayaam, Mantra
, Therapy.
Important disciplines in the system are - Synchrony of mental and physical actions or simply present mindedness or complete awareness of one's actions, disciplining the reacting attitude, friendliness, diet, silence, spiritual vigilance.
One commences the practice of this technique with the perception of the body
. Body contains the soul. Therefore, one must pierce the wall of the container to reach the content (the soul). Again, breathing
is a part of the body and essence of life. To breath is to live; and so breath is naturally qualified to be the first object of perception, while the body itself would become the next one. The vibrations, sensations and other physiological events are worthy of attention. Conscious mind becomes sharpened to perceive these internal realities in due course, and then it will be able to focus itself on the minutest and the most subtle occurrences within the body. The direct perception of emotions, urges and other psychological events will then be possible. And ultimately the envelope of karmic matter, contaminating the consciousness could be clearly recognized.
The meditation training camps are organized on a regular basis. Major training centers in India are in Ladnun, Rajasthan
, Delhi
, Ahemedabad. Centers are also present in many countries like the US, UK, Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Australia, Singapore, Netherland, etc.
Prānayāma – breathing exercises – are performed to strengthen the flows of life energy. Through this, the elements of the constitution – earth, water, fire and air – are also strengthened. At the same time the five chakras are controlled. Prānayāma also helps to stabilize one’s thinking and leads to unhampered direct experience of the events around us.
Next one practices pratyāhāra. Pratyāhāra means that one directs the senses away from the enjoyment of sensual and mental objects. The senses are part of the nervous system, and their task is to send data to the brain through which the mind as well as the soul is provided with information. The mind tends to enjoy this at the cost of the soul as well as the body. Pratyāhāra is obtained by focusing the mind on one point for the purpose of receiving impulses: on the eye
s, ear
s, tip of the nose
, the brow, the navel
, the head
, the heart
or the palate
.
The Oldest Jain Canon (4th Century BCE) describes meditation of Mahavira before attaining kevala Jnana:
After more than twelve years of austerities and meditation, Mahavira entered the state of Kevala Jnana while doing shukla dhayana, the highest form of meditation:
In Uttarādhyayana Sūtra, Mahavira explains the various benefits of meditation:
Acharya Mahaprajna
, the 10th Head of Jain Swetamber Terapanth sect , formulated a well organized meditation system known as preksha meditation
in the 1970s. With this, he rediscovered the Jain Meditation
techniques available in ancient Jain scriptures. The system consists of the perception of the breath, body, the psychic centres, psychic colors, thought and of contemplation processes which can initiate the process of personal transformation. A few important contemplation themes are - Impermanence, Solitariness, Vulnerability. It aims at reaching and purifying the deeper levels of existence. Regular practice is believed to strengthen the immune system and build up stamina to resist against aging, pollution, viruses, diseases. Meditation practice is an important part of the daily lives of the religion's monks.
The kayotsarg method is found to be very useful by many Jains. It means self awareness by complete relaxation. The practitioner takes a comfortable posture either lying down or sitting or standing and breathes calmly. Then auto suggests each and every part and entity of the body to be relaxed and feel the same. Once the body is completely relaxed, the practitioner practices to realize separate existence of soul from body and then forgets about the body and practices to identify the Self. Then one practices of complete awareness of the self without any hindrance.
Contemplation is an important wing in Jain meditation. The practitioner meditates or reflects deeply on subtle facts or philosophical aspects. The first type is Agnya vichāya, in which one meditates deeply on the seven elementary facts - life and non-life, the inflow, bondage, stoppage and removal of karmas, and the final accomplishment of liberation. The second is Apaya vichāya, in which incorrect insights and behavior in which “sleeping souls” indulge, are reflected upon. The third is Vipaka vichāya dharma dhyāna, in which one reflects on the eight causes or basic types of karma. The fourth is Sansathan vichāya dharma dhyāna, when one thinks about the vastness of the universe
and the loneliness of the soul, which has had to face the results of its own causes all alone. A few important contemplation themes in Preksha meditation
are - Impermanence, Solitariness, Vulnerability.
Practitioner can apply a number of meditation techniques known as pindāstha-dhyāna, padāstha-dhyāna, rūpāstha-dhyāna, rūpātita-dhyāna, savīrya-dhyāna, etc.
In pindāstha-dhyāna one imagines oneself sitting all alone in the middle of a vast ocean
of milk
on a lotus flower, meditating on the soul. There are no living beings around whatsoever. The lotus is identical to Jambūdvīpa, with Mount Meru as its stalk. Next the meditator imagines a 16-petalled lotus at the level of his navel
, and on each petal are printed the (Sanskrit) letters “arham“ and also an inverted lotus of 8 petals at the location of his heart
. Suddenly the lotus on which one is seated flares up at the navel and flames gradually rise up to the inverted lotus, burning its petals with a rising golden
flame
which not only burns his or her body, but also the inverted lotus at the heart. The flames rise further up to the throat
whirling in the shape of a swastika and then reach the head, burning it entirely, while taking the form of a three-sided pyramid of golden flames above the head, piercing the skull
sharp end straight up. The whole physical body is charred, and everything turns into glowing ashes. Thus the pinda or body is burnt off and the pure soul survives. Then suddenly a strong wind blows off all the ashes; and one imagines that a heavy rain shower washes all the ashes away, and the pure soul remains seated on the lotus. That pure Soul has infinite virtues, it is Myself. Why should I get polluted at all? One tries to remain in his purest nature. This is called pindāstha dhyāna, in which one ponders the reality of feeling and experiencing.
In padāstha dhyāna one focuses on some mantras, words or themes. Couple of important mantra
examples are, OM - it signifies remembrance of the five classes of spiritual beings (the embodied and non-embodied Jinas, the ascetics, the monks and the nuns), pronouncing the word “Arham” makes one feel “I myself am the omniscient soul” and one tries to improve one’s character accordingly. One may also pronounce the holy name of an arhat and concentrate on the universal richness of the soul.
In rūpāstha dhyāna one reflects on the embodiments of arihant
s, the svayambhuva (the self-realized), the omniscients and other enlightened people and their attributes, such as three umbrellas and whiskers – as seen in many icons – unconcerned about one’s own body, but almighty and benevolent to all living beings, destroyer of attachment, enmity, etc. Thus the meditator as a human being concentrates his or her attention on the virtues of the omniscients to acquire the same virtues for himself.
Rūpātita dhyāna is a meditation in which one focuses on bodiless objects such as the liberated souls or siddha
s, which stand individually and collectively for the infinite qualities that such souls have earned. That omniscient, potent, omnipresent, liberated and untainted soul is called a nirañjāna, and this stage can be achieved by right vision, right knowledge and right conduct only. Right vision, right knowledge and right conduct begin the fourth stage of the 14-fold path.
The ultimate aim of such yoga and meditation is to pave the way for the spiritual elevation and salvation of the soul. Some yogis develop their own methods for meditation.
's life. Lord Mahavira
had meditated in different ways:
Objects on which he had meditated:
, Sukhasana
, standing, lying down that can be adopted. The 24 Tirthankaras are always seen in one of these two postures in the Kayotsarga standing or Padmasana/Paryankasana.
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
along with the Three Jewels. Meditation in Jainism aims at realizing the self, attain salvation, take the soul to complete freedom. It aims to reach and to remain in the pure state of soul which is believed to be pure conscious, beyond any attachment or aversion. The practitioner strives to be just a knower-seer (Gyata-Drashta). Jain meditation can be broadly categorized to the auspicious Dharmya Dhyana and Shukla Dhyana and inauspicious Artta and Raudra Dhyana.
Jain meditation is also referred as Samayika. The word Samayika means being in the moment of continuous real-time. This act of being conscious of the continual renewal of the universe in general and one's own renewal of the individual living being (Jiva) in particular is the critical first step in the journey towards identification with one's true nature, called the Atman
Atman (Jainism)
The Atman is a philosophical term used within Jainism to identify the soul. It is one's true self beyond identification with the phenomenal reality of worldly existence...
. It is also a method by which one can develop an attitude of harmony and respect towards other humans and Nature.
By being fully aware, alert and conscious of the constantly moving present, one will experience their true nature, Atman.
The 24 Jain Tirthankaras are always seen in meditative posture and have practiced it deeply and attained enlightenment.
History
RishabhaRishabha (Jain tirthankar)
In Jainism, R̥ṣabha or Ādinātha , also known as the "Lord of Kesariya") was the first of the 24 Tīrthaṅkaras. According to Jain beliefs, R̥ṣabha founded the Ikshvaku dynasty and was the first Tīrthaṅkara of the present age...
, the first Tirthankara in Jainism
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
, dating back to the prehistoric era of end of the stone age and starting of the agriculture age practiced meditation and attained enlightenment at Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash is a peak in the Gangdisê Mountains, which are part of the Himalayas in Tibet...
. Bahubali
Bahubali
According to Jainism, Bahubali, called Gomateshwara , was the second of the hundred sons of the first Tirthankara, Rishabha, and king of Podanpur. The Adipurana, a 10th century Kannada text by Jain poet Adikavi Pampa According to Jainism, Bahubali, called Gomateshwara , was the second of the...
, son of Rishabha, practiced meditation for twelve months maintaining same standing posture. King Bharata, elder son of Rishabha, entered a trance state by fixing his gaze on his image in the mirror and got deep into meditation and finally attained enlightenment. Fixing the gaze on an object for meditation has been an important technique of Jainism.
Jains believe all twenty-four Tirthankaras practiced deep meditation, some for years, some for months and attained enlightenment. All the statues and pictures of Tirthankaras primarily show them in meditative postures. Acharya Mahapragya's conclusion of Acharya Kundakunda
Kundakunda
Kundakunda is a celebrated Jain Acharya, Jain scholar monk, 2nd century CE, composer of spiritual classics such as: Samayasara, Niyamasara, Pancastikayasara, Pravacanasara, Atthapahuda and Barasanuvekkha. He occupies the highest place in the tradition of the Jain acharyas.He belonged to the Mula...
's understanding on Mahavira's practices is that all other his penances, like fasting, were done to support meditation.
The Acaranga Sutra
Acaranga Sutra
The Acaranga Sutra is the first of the eleven Angas, part of the agamas which were compiled based on the teachings of Lord Mahavira.The Acaranga Sutra discusses the conduct of a Jain monk...
describes meditation and spiritual practices elaborately and in minute detail of philosophy. The Sutrakritanga
Sutrakritanga
Sutrakritanga Sutra is the second agama of the 12 main angās of the Jain canons. According to the Svetambara tradition it was written by Gandhara Sudharmasvami in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit...
, Bhagavati and Sthananga Sutra
Sthananga Sutra
As per the Śvetāmbara belief, Sthananga Sutra forms part of the first eleven Angas of the Jaina Canon which have survived despite the bad effects of this Hundavasarpini kala. This is the reason why, under the leadership of Devardhigani Ksamasramana, the eleven Angas of the Svetambara canon were...
s also give directions on contemplation, asana
Asana
Asana is a body position, typically associated with the practice of Yoga, originally identified as a mastery of sitting still, with the spine as a conduit of biodynamic union...
and meditation. The Aupapatika
Aupapatika
Aupapātika forms part of the 12 Jain upanga āgamas as per Śvetámbara tradition. Aupapātika is translated as “Spontaneously Arising” so named as it contains descriptions of Heavenly beings and Hellish beings who are born spontaneously.-Subject matter:...
has an organised presentation of Tapoyga which is a kind of right conduct.
Acharya Bhadrabahu
Acharya Bhadrabahu
Acharya Bhadrabahu was a Jain monk. He is more famously known as a spiritual teacher of Chandragupta Maurya and author of several texts related to Jainism, including some of the most important works, Upsargahara Stotra and Kalpasutra....
of 400 BCE, practiced Mahaprana meditation for twelve years. Description of practice of samadhi meditation by many other acharya
Acharya
In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
is also found. Chandragupta Maurya
Chandragupta Maurya
Chandragupta Maurya , was the founder of the Maurya Empire. Chandragupta succeeded in conquering most of the Indian subcontinent. Chandragupta is considered the first unifier of India and its first genuine emperor...
, the founder of Maurya Empire
Maurya Empire
The Maurya Empire was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power in ancient India, ruled by the Mauryan dynasty from 321 to 185 BC...
, was Acharya Bhadrabahu's disciple and became a monk. He later migrated to South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
and it helped Jainism to spread there. Bhadrabahu also took Chandragupta Maurya
Chandragupta Maurya
Chandragupta Maurya , was the founder of the Maurya Empire. Chandragupta succeeded in conquering most of the Indian subcontinent. Chandragupta is considered the first unifier of India and its first genuine emperor...
to South India along with him. Acharya Kundakunda
Kundakunda
Kundakunda is a celebrated Jain Acharya, Jain scholar monk, 2nd century CE, composer of spiritual classics such as: Samayasara, Niyamasara, Pancastikayasara, Pravacanasara, Atthapahuda and Barasanuvekkha. He occupies the highest place in the tradition of the Jain acharyas.He belonged to the Mula...
of first century BCE, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, opened new dimensions of meditation through books like Samayasāra
Samayasara
' is a famous Jain text by Acharya Kundakunda.Its ten chapters discuss the nature of jiva , its attachment to karmas and moksha....
and Pravachansara. Holistic approach to salvation path is written and compiled in a single book Tattvartha Sutra
Tattvartha Sutra
Tattvartha Sutra is a Jain text written by Acharya Umaswati. It was an attempt to bring together the different elements of the Jain path, epistemological, metaphysical, cosmological, ethical and practical, otherwise unorganized around the scriptures in an unsystematic format...
by Acharya Umaswati
Umaswati
Umaswami is the author of Tattvartha Sutra, the best-known Jaina text. The details of his life are controversial. He is claimed by both the Digambara and Svetambara sects. He is known as Acharya Umaswami , which is a title prefixed to the names of learned men.A mathematician, he is thought to...
.
Acharya Bhadrabahu II, Jinbhadra, Pujyapada Devanandi were great spiritual experts during the period of 4th, 5th, 6th century of CE. They made remarkable contribution through their literature. Haribhadra
Haribhadra
Haribhadra Suri was a Svetambara mendicant Jain leader and author.-History:There are multiple contradictory dates assigned to his birth. These include 459, 478, and 529. However, given his familiarity with Dharmakirti, a more likely choice would be sometime after 650...
in eight century and Acharya Hemachandra
Acharya Hemachandra
Acharya Hemachandra was a Jain scholar, poet, and polymath who wrote on grammar, philosophy, prosody, and contemporary history. Noted as a prodigy by his contemporaries, he gained the title Kalikāl Sarvagya "all-knowing of the Kali Yuga"....
in twelve century CE, presented meditation through different approaches and viewpoints. During eighteenth century CE, Acharya Vinay Vijay worte Shantsudharasa on contemplation practices. Upadhyaaya Yashovijay in the same century wrote extensively on meditation.
Acharya Mahapragya formulated Preksha meditation
Preksha meditation
Preksha meditation [Preksha Dhyana] is a popular meditation technique of Jainism . It was formulated by the tenth Spiritual head of Terapanth Shvetambara Jain Acharya Mahaprajna in the middle of the 20th century on the guidance of Acharya Tulsi...
in the 1970s and presented a well-organised system of meditation. Numerous Preksha meditation centers came into existence around the world and numerous meditations camps are being organised to impart training in it.
Samayika
The name Samayika, the term for Jain meditation, is derived from the term samaya "time" in PrakritPrakrit
Prakrit is the name for a group of Middle Indic, Indo-Aryan languages, derived from Old Indic dialects. The word itself has a flexible definition, being defined sometimes as, "original, natural, artless, normal, ordinary, usual", or "vernacular", in contrast to the literary and religious...
. Jains also use samayika to denote the practice of meditation. The aim of Samayika is to transcend our daily experiences as the "constantly changing" human beings, called Jiva
Jiva
In Hinduism and Jainism, a jiva is a living being, or more specifically, the immortal essence of a living organism which survives physical death. It has a very similar usage to atma, but whereas atma refers to "the cosmic self", jiva is used to denote an individual 'living entity' or 'living...
, and allow identification with the "changeless" reality in practitioner, called the atman
Atman (Jainism)
The Atman is a philosophical term used within Jainism to identify the soul. It is one's true self beyond identification with the phenomenal reality of worldly existence...
. One of the main goals of Samayika is to inculcate equanimity, to see all the events equanimously. It encourages to be consistently spiritually vigilant. Samayaika is practiced in all the Jain sects and communities. Samayika is an important practice during Paryushana
Paryushana
Paryushana is one of the two most important festivals for the Jains, the other being Diwali. Normally Svetambara Jains refer it as Paryushana, while Digambara Jains refer it as Daslaksana. Paryushan means, literally, "abiding" or "coming together"...
, a special eight- or ten-day period.
Preksha Meditation
Acharya MahaprajnaAcharya Mahaprajna
Acharya Shri Mahapragya was the tenth Acharya, supreme head of the Svetambar Terapanth sect of Jainism. Mahapragya was a highly venerable saint, yogi, spiritual leader, philosopher, author, orator, poet....
, The Tenth Head of Jain Svetambara
Svetambara
The Śvētāmbara is one of the two main sects of Jainism, the other being the Digambar. Śvētāmbara "white-clad" is a term describing its ascetics' practice of wearing white clothes, which sets it apart from the Digambara "sky-clad" Jainas, whose ascetic practitioners go naked...
Terapanth
Terapanth
Terapanth or Tera Panth may refer to:* Digambar Terapanth, a sect of the Digambara tradition of Jainism* Svetambar Terapanth, a sect of Svetambara Jainism-See also:Taran Panth, also a Digambar Jain sect, should not be confused with Terapanth...
sect formulated Preksha Meditation
Preksha meditation
Preksha meditation [Preksha Dhyana] is a popular meditation technique of Jainism . It was formulated by the tenth Spiritual head of Terapanth Shvetambara Jain Acharya Mahaprajna in the middle of the 20th century on the guidance of Acharya Tulsi...
in 1970s. He practiced various meditation techniques for nearly 30 years and developed this well organized meditation system and presented it in scientific light. Preksha Meditation
Preksha meditation
Preksha meditation [Preksha Dhyana] is a popular meditation technique of Jainism . It was formulated by the tenth Spiritual head of Terapanth Shvetambara Jain Acharya Mahaprajna in the middle of the 20th century on the guidance of Acharya Tulsi...
is the combination of knowledge from ancient religious books, modern science and experience. Acharya Mahaprajna
Acharya Mahaprajna
Acharya Shri Mahapragya was the tenth Acharya, supreme head of the Svetambar Terapanth sect of Jainism. Mahapragya was a highly venerable saint, yogi, spiritual leader, philosopher, author, orator, poet....
made a deep research on Agam
Agam
Agam may refer to:* Āgama , a collection scriptures* Jain Agamas, texts of Jainism* Agam Regency, a regency of West Sumatra, Indonesia* Yaacov Agam, an Israeli artist* AGAM, the Israeli Defence Forces Directorate of Operations- See also :...
- Jain holy scriptures, ancient scriptures, medical science, Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
science, Naturopathy, Ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
, modern Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, etc. while developing this meditation system.
Preksha meditation
Preksha meditation
Preksha meditation [Preksha Dhyana] is a popular meditation technique of Jainism . It was formulated by the tenth Spiritual head of Terapanth Shvetambara Jain Acharya Mahaprajna in the middle of the 20th century on the guidance of Acharya Tulsi...
is the practice of purifying the emotions and conscious (chitta) and realizing the own self. It helps in leading a peaceful life and is a system of mediation for attitudinal change, behavioral modification and integrated development of personality.
The word preksha means 'to perceive carefully and profoundly'. In preksha, perception always means experience bereft of the duality of like and dislike, pleasure and pain. Impartiality and equanimity are synonymous with Preksha. Preksha is impartial perception, where there is neither the emotion of attachment nor aversion, neither pleasure or displeasure. Both these states of emotion are closely and carefully perceived but not experienced. And because both are perceived from close quarters, it is not difficult to reject both of them and assume a neutral position. Thus equanimity is essentially associated with preksha.
It aims at reaching and purify the deeper levels of existence. Regular practice strengthens the immune system, builds up stamina to resist against aging, pollution, chemical toxins, viruses, diseases.
Important elements in the system are Kayotsarg - Full awareness with complete relaxation, Perception of the breath, body, the psychic centres, psychic colors (lesya meditation), present moment, thought, Animesha preksha (fixing gaze at an object ), contemplation processes, Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
and Pranayaam, Mantra
Mantra
A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation"...
, Therapy.
Important disciplines in the system are - Synchrony of mental and physical actions or simply present mindedness or complete awareness of one's actions, disciplining the reacting attitude, friendliness, diet, silence, spiritual vigilance.
One commences the practice of this technique with the perception of the body
Body
With regard to living things, a body is the physical body of an individual. "Body" often is used in connection with appearance, health issues and death...
. Body contains the soul. Therefore, one must pierce the wall of the container to reach the content (the soul). Again, breathing
Breathing
Breathing is the process that moves air in and out of the lungs. Aerobic organisms require oxygen to release energy via respiration, in the form of the metabolism of energy-rich molecules such as glucose. Breathing is only one process that delivers oxygen to where it is needed in the body and...
is a part of the body and essence of life. To breath is to live; and so breath is naturally qualified to be the first object of perception, while the body itself would become the next one. The vibrations, sensations and other physiological events are worthy of attention. Conscious mind becomes sharpened to perceive these internal realities in due course, and then it will be able to focus itself on the minutest and the most subtle occurrences within the body. The direct perception of emotions, urges and other psychological events will then be possible. And ultimately the envelope of karmic matter, contaminating the consciousness could be clearly recognized.
The meditation training camps are organized on a regular basis. Major training centers in India are in Ladnun, Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
, Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
, Ahemedabad. Centers are also present in many countries like the US, UK, Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Australia, Singapore, Netherland, etc.
Existing and Historical meditation techniques in Jainism
According to the some commonly practiced yoga systems, high concentration is reached by meditating in an easy (preferably lotus) posture in seclusion and staring without blinking at the rising sun, a point on the wall, or the tip of the nose, and as long as one can keep the mind away from the outer world, this strengthens concentration. Garuda is the name Jainism gives to the yoga of self-discipline and discipline of mind, body and speech, so that even earth, water, fire and air can come under one’s control. Śiva is in Jainism control over the passions and the acquisition of such self-discipline that under all circumstances equanimity is maintained.Prānayāma – breathing exercises – are performed to strengthen the flows of life energy. Through this, the elements of the constitution – earth, water, fire and air – are also strengthened. At the same time the five chakras are controlled. Prānayāma also helps to stabilize one’s thinking and leads to unhampered direct experience of the events around us.
Next one practices pratyāhāra. Pratyāhāra means that one directs the senses away from the enjoyment of sensual and mental objects. The senses are part of the nervous system, and their task is to send data to the brain through which the mind as well as the soul is provided with information. The mind tends to enjoy this at the cost of the soul as well as the body. Pratyāhāra is obtained by focusing the mind on one point for the purpose of receiving impulses: on the eye
Human eye
The human eye is an organ which reacts to light for several purposes. As a conscious sense organ, the eye allows vision. Rod and cone cells in the retina allow conscious light perception and vision including color differentiation and the perception of depth...
s, ear
Ear
The ear is the organ that detects sound. It not only receives sound, but also aids in balance and body position. The ear is part of the auditory system....
s, tip of the nose
Human nose
The visible part of the human nose is the protruding part of the face that bears the nostrils. The shape of the nose is determined by the ethmoid bone and the nasal septum, which consists mostly of cartilage and which separates the nostrils...
, the brow, the navel
Navel
The navel is a scar on the abdomen caused when the umbilical cord is removed from a newborn baby...
, the head
Head
In anatomy, the head of an animal is the rostral part that usually comprises the brain, eyes, ears, nose and mouth . Some very simple animals may not have a head, but many bilaterally symmetric forms do....
, the heart
Human heart
The human heart is a muscular organ that provides a continuous blood circulation through the cardiac cycle and is one of the most vital organs in the human body...
or the palate
Palate
The palate is the roof of the mouth in humans and other mammals. It separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. A similar structure is found in crocodilians, but, in most other tetrapods, the oral and nasal cavities are not truly separate. The palate is divided into two parts, the anterior...
.
The Oldest Jain Canon (4th Century BCE) describes meditation of Mahavira before attaining kevala Jnana:
Giving up the company of all householders whomsoever, he meditated. Asked, he gave no answer; he went, and did not transgress the right path.(AS 312) In these places was the wise Sramana for thirteen long years; he meditated day and night, exerting himself, undisturbed, strenuously. (AS 333) And Mahavira meditated (persevering) in some posture, without the smallest motion; he meditated in mental concentration on (the things) above, below, beside, free from desires. He meditated free from sin and desire, not attached to sounds or colours; though still an erring mortal (khadmastha), he wandered about, and never acted carelessly.(AS 374-375)
After more than twelve years of austerities and meditation, Mahavira entered the state of Kevala Jnana while doing shukla dhayana, the highest form of meditation:
The Venerable Ascetic Mahavira passed twelve years in this way of life; during the thirteenth year in the second month of summer, in the fourth fortnight, the light (fortnight) of Vaisakha, on its tenth day called Suvrata, in the Muhurta called Vigaya, while the moon was in conjunction with the asterism Uttaraphalguni, when the shadow had turned towards the east, and the first wake was over, outside of the town Grimbhikagrama, on the northern bank of the river Rigupalika, in the field of the householder Samaga, in a north-eastern direction from an old temple, not far from a Sal tree, in a squatting position with joined heels exposing himself to the heat of the sun, with the knees high and the head low, in deep meditation, in the midst of abstract meditation,he reached Nirvana, the complete and full, the unobstructed, unimpeded, infinite and supreme best knowledge and intuition, called Kevala.
In Uttarādhyayana Sūtra, Mahavira explains the various benefits of meditation:
Acharya Mahaprajna
Acharya Mahaprajna
Acharya Shri Mahapragya was the tenth Acharya, supreme head of the Svetambar Terapanth sect of Jainism. Mahapragya was a highly venerable saint, yogi, spiritual leader, philosopher, author, orator, poet....
, the 10th Head of Jain Swetamber Terapanth sect , formulated a well organized meditation system known as preksha meditation
Preksha meditation
Preksha meditation [Preksha Dhyana] is a popular meditation technique of Jainism . It was formulated by the tenth Spiritual head of Terapanth Shvetambara Jain Acharya Mahaprajna in the middle of the 20th century on the guidance of Acharya Tulsi...
in the 1970s. With this, he rediscovered the Jain Meditation
Jain Meditation
Jain meditation has been the central practice of spirituality in Jainism along with the Three Jewels. Meditation in Jainism aims at realizing the self, attain salvation, take the soul to complete freedom. It aims to reach and to remain in the pure state of soul which is believed to be pure...
techniques available in ancient Jain scriptures. The system consists of the perception of the breath, body, the psychic centres, psychic colors, thought and of contemplation processes which can initiate the process of personal transformation. A few important contemplation themes are - Impermanence, Solitariness, Vulnerability. It aims at reaching and purifying the deeper levels of existence. Regular practice is believed to strengthen the immune system and build up stamina to resist against aging, pollution, viruses, diseases. Meditation practice is an important part of the daily lives of the religion's monks.
The kayotsarg method is found to be very useful by many Jains. It means self awareness by complete relaxation. The practitioner takes a comfortable posture either lying down or sitting or standing and breathes calmly. Then auto suggests each and every part and entity of the body to be relaxed and feel the same. Once the body is completely relaxed, the practitioner practices to realize separate existence of soul from body and then forgets about the body and practices to identify the Self. Then one practices of complete awareness of the self without any hindrance.
Contemplation is an important wing in Jain meditation. The practitioner meditates or reflects deeply on subtle facts or philosophical aspects. The first type is Agnya vichāya, in which one meditates deeply on the seven elementary facts - life and non-life, the inflow, bondage, stoppage and removal of karmas, and the final accomplishment of liberation. The second is Apaya vichāya, in which incorrect insights and behavior in which “sleeping souls” indulge, are reflected upon. The third is Vipaka vichāya dharma dhyāna, in which one reflects on the eight causes or basic types of karma. The fourth is Sansathan vichāya dharma dhyāna, when one thinks about the vastness of the universe
Universe
The Universe is commonly defined as the totality of everything that exists, including all matter and energy, the planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. Definitions and usage vary and similar terms include the cosmos, the world and nature...
and the loneliness of the soul, which has had to face the results of its own causes all alone. A few important contemplation themes in Preksha meditation
Preksha meditation
Preksha meditation [Preksha Dhyana] is a popular meditation technique of Jainism . It was formulated by the tenth Spiritual head of Terapanth Shvetambara Jain Acharya Mahaprajna in the middle of the 20th century on the guidance of Acharya Tulsi...
are - Impermanence, Solitariness, Vulnerability.
Practitioner can apply a number of meditation techniques known as pindāstha-dhyāna, padāstha-dhyāna, rūpāstha-dhyāna, rūpātita-dhyāna, savīrya-dhyāna, etc.
In pindāstha-dhyāna one imagines oneself sitting all alone in the middle of a vast ocean
Ocean
An ocean is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.More than half of this area is over 3,000...
of milk
Milk
Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many...
on a lotus flower, meditating on the soul. There are no living beings around whatsoever. The lotus is identical to Jambūdvīpa, with Mount Meru as its stalk. Next the meditator imagines a 16-petalled lotus at the level of his navel
Navel
The navel is a scar on the abdomen caused when the umbilical cord is removed from a newborn baby...
, and on each petal are printed the (Sanskrit) letters “arham“ and also an inverted lotus of 8 petals at the location of his heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
. Suddenly the lotus on which one is seated flares up at the navel and flames gradually rise up to the inverted lotus, burning its petals with a rising golden
Golden
Golden means made of, or relating to gold.Golden can refer to:-Philosophy:*Golden mean , the felicitous middle between the extremes of excess and deficiency-Geography:Canada*Golden, British Columbia...
flame
Flame
A flame is the visible , gaseous part of a fire. It is caused by a highly exothermic reaction taking place in a thin zone...
which not only burns his or her body, but also the inverted lotus at the heart. The flames rise further up to the throat
Throat
In vertebrate anatomy, the throat is the anterior part of the neck, in front of the vertebral column. It consists of the pharynx and larynx...
whirling in the shape of a swastika and then reach the head, burning it entirely, while taking the form of a three-sided pyramid of golden flames above the head, piercing the skull
Human skull
The human skull is a bony structure, skeleton, that is in the human head and which supports the structures of the face and forms a cavity for the brain.In humans, the adult skull is normally made up of 22 bones...
sharp end straight up. The whole physical body is charred, and everything turns into glowing ashes. Thus the pinda or body is burnt off and the pure soul survives. Then suddenly a strong wind blows off all the ashes; and one imagines that a heavy rain shower washes all the ashes away, and the pure soul remains seated on the lotus. That pure Soul has infinite virtues, it is Myself. Why should I get polluted at all? One tries to remain in his purest nature. This is called pindāstha dhyāna, in which one ponders the reality of feeling and experiencing.
In padāstha dhyāna one focuses on some mantras, words or themes. Couple of important mantra
Mantra
A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation"...
examples are, OM - it signifies remembrance of the five classes of spiritual beings (the embodied and non-embodied Jinas, the ascetics, the monks and the nuns), pronouncing the word “Arham” makes one feel “I myself am the omniscient soul” and one tries to improve one’s character accordingly. One may also pronounce the holy name of an arhat and concentrate on the universal richness of the soul.
In rūpāstha dhyāna one reflects on the embodiments of arihant
Arihant (Jainism)
Arihant in Jainism is a siddha who has not yet died and thereby lost all aghatiya karma. The Ṇamōkāra mantra begins, Ṇamō arihantāṇaṁ "I praise the arihants"....
s, the svayambhuva (the self-realized), the omniscients and other enlightened people and their attributes, such as three umbrellas and whiskers – as seen in many icons – unconcerned about one’s own body, but almighty and benevolent to all living beings, destroyer of attachment, enmity, etc. Thus the meditator as a human being concentrates his or her attention on the virtues of the omniscients to acquire the same virtues for himself.
Rūpātita dhyāna is a meditation in which one focuses on bodiless objects such as the liberated souls or siddha
Siddha
A Siddha सिद्ध in Sanskrit means "one who is accomplished" and refers to perfected masters who, according to Hindu belief, have transcended the ahamkara , have subdued their minds to be subservient to their Awareness, and have transformed their bodies into a different kind of body dominated by...
s, which stand individually and collectively for the infinite qualities that such souls have earned. That omniscient, potent, omnipresent, liberated and untainted soul is called a nirañjāna, and this stage can be achieved by right vision, right knowledge and right conduct only. Right vision, right knowledge and right conduct begin the fourth stage of the 14-fold path.
The ultimate aim of such yoga and meditation is to pave the way for the spiritual elevation and salvation of the soul. Some yogis develop their own methods for meditation.
Lord Mahavira and Meditation
Meditation was an integral part of Lord MahaviraMahavira
Mahāvīra is the name most commonly used to refer to the Indian sage Vardhamāna who established what are today considered to be the central tenets of Jainism. According to Jain tradition, he was the 24th and the last Tirthankara. In Tamil, he is referred to as Arukaṉ or Arukadevan...
's life. Lord Mahavira
Mahavira
Mahāvīra is the name most commonly used to refer to the Indian sage Vardhamāna who established what are today considered to be the central tenets of Jainism. According to Jain tradition, he was the 24th and the last Tirthankara. In Tamil, he is referred to as Arukaṉ or Arukadevan...
had meditated in different ways:
- Meditation by fixing the gaze for hours on an oblique wall and also for acquiring high levels of magnetism in the eyes.
- Adoption of various steady postures in meditation. He meditated on various spaces in the universeUniverseThe Universe is commonly defined as the totality of everything that exists, including all matter and energy, the planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. Definitions and usage vary and similar terms include the cosmos, the world and nature...
, the higher loka - upper, in the downward direction - lower loka and in the transverse direction - the transverse loka, making them objects for meditation. - Meditating mostly in standing posture.
- Practiced Kayotsarga for full awareness and deep relaxation.
- Meditating in the open without clothes and shelter.
- Being ceaselessly conscious at every moment of the day and night. Total vigilance in the sixth step, and Samadhi, the seventh step of the meditative path.
- Practicing meditation, both with the support of an object and without any support of any object.
- Usage of different objects for his meditation sessions. He would change the targets of his attention.
Objects on which he had meditated:
- The Karmas moving upward, downward and in a transverse direction.
- Bondage, the cause of bondage and its consequences.
- Salvation, its cause and its bliss.
- The head, the navel and the big toe.
- Matter, its characteristic and modes (its changing conditions).
- The origin, permanence and transitory nature of Matter.
- The gross world and the cosmos.
- Subtle objects like the molecular structure.
- The soul, by intuition.
- Practice of contemplations (Bhawanas) during practice of meditation. The main subjects were: Loneliness, transitoriness and absence of protection, etc.
- Concentration on the body for a long stretch of time; he could change it on the mental and vocal level. He could change his meditations from matter to mode and from word to silence.
Postures
There are various common postures for meditation like Padmasana, Ardh-Padmasana, VajrasanaVajrasana
Vajrasana , adamantine pose, diamond pose, kneeling pose, pelvic pose, and thunderbolt pose is an asana.- Etymology :...
, Sukhasana
Sukhasana
Sukhasana , Easy Pose, Decent Pose, or Pleasant Pose, is an asana practised in yoga, buddhism and hinduism, similar to sitting in a simple cross-legged position. While opening the hips and lengthening the spine, the posture's relative ease on the knees makes it easier than siddhasana or padmasana...
, standing, lying down that can be adopted. The 24 Tirthankaras are always seen in one of these two postures in the Kayotsarga standing or Padmasana/Paryankasana.