Key of Knowledge

SR No.: 006702
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown
Publication Year: 1919
Total Pages: 1204
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 25 MB

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930
. THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE.
It is now necessary to work out the idea of meditation with reference to the different stages of the path of progress as described above. Meditation (dhyâna) is of four kinds, namely:
1. årta dhyana which arises from the loss of an object of desire, the association with an undesirable person or thing, bodily suffering and envy;
2. raudra dhyâna which implies the absorption of mind in himsâ and other forms of sin, and delights in acts of cruelty, falsehood, theft and hoarding wealth ;
3. dharma dhyána which means meditation on such subjects as have a bearing on the attainment of liberation from the bondage of samsâra ; and
4. sukla dhyana which signifies pure self-contemplation in the highest sense.
Of these, the first two types are characteristic of all deluded jivas, and the last two of those who have acquired the Right Faith. The fourth form of meditation is, however, beyond the house-holder, who cannot, as such, aspire higher than devoting himself to dharma dhyana, that is meditation on the nature of tattvas, the means of the destruction of karmas, the consequences and effects of different kinds of actions and on the nature of conditions of existence prevailing in different parts of the universe - heavens, hells and the like-in which souls wander about in transmigration. Dharma dhyâna leads to vairágya, and enables the house-holder to renounce the world. But it is the sukla dhyâna which is the direct cause of moksha.
Sukla dhyâna is practised by holy saints well