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Studies in Jainology. Pushirit
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ON SAMYAMA IN JAINISM
In every religion or philosophical system of the world, there is some distinct place for Samyama (self-restraint or sclf-control) with different degree of importance, commensurate with its nature of conccpl, scope and objective ctc. In Jainism it holds rather the key position and pervades its whole religious system, particularly ils Ethical Disciplinc al all levels, with varicd degrees of intensity and plays its manifold instrumental roles with remarkable cffectiveness.
The general meaning of Samyama in our day-to-day life is restraint, control, temperate attitude towards an object or act clc. In different religious or philosophical systems of India, Samyama is generally taken to mcan restraint or control of the sense organs - indriya nigraha. Jo Patanjala Yoga the term Samyama is technically used for the last three stages of Yoga :
“Dharana-dhyana-Samadhitrayantarangan Samyamapadavācyam.”
nieaning thereby, accomplishment of absolute concentration of mind. Jainism, which has emerged from the far ancient Sramanic Cultural Tradition of India has naturally given, from its early days, utmost importance to Samyama, the various phases and shades of which are seen in the various vows or rules úiscipline, Codes of Conduct (both for ascetics and laymen) and doctrines propounded by thc Jina. Morcover, the Jainācāryas and eminent scholars have
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