Page Text
________________
7) Austerity, Penance (Tapa) 8) Renunciation (Tyāga) 9) Non-attachment (Akiñcanya) 10) Celibacy (Brahmacarya)
Adherence to the prescribed code of conduct and contemplation on the natural attributes of the pure soul enables weakening of passions, reducing the karmic-body and leading to the goal of self-realization. To celebrate these ten natural attributes of the soul, Jains every year observe Dasa-lakṣaṇa-mahāparva (Great Festival of Ten Virtues), also called Paryūṣaṇaparva during the months of August/September. Each day is devoted to the contemplation, study, practice and discussions of a single attribute.
12. Rarity of true enlightenment: Among all forms of living beings, humans alone have the greatest capacity for rational knowledge and can control their lives. Hence only humans have the ability to attain enlightenment. A healthy human life blessed with properly developed senses and highly evolved consciousness conducive to attain spiritual enlightenment is rare.
3.1.1.2. Virtuous Meditation (Dharma-dhyāna) Meditation (Dhyāna) involves concentration of mind on a single topic. Meditations have been classified according to the subject/object of concentration into four types:
1) Sorrowful Meditation (Arta-dhyāna): relates to distress or pain 2) Inclement/Cruel Meditation (Roudra-dhyāna): relates to revenge, violence, deceit 3) Virtuous Meditation (Dharma-dhyāna): on the real nature of the self and the universe 4) Spiritual Meditation (Sukla-dhyāna): on the pure nature of self/soul/consciousness
The first two types of meditations are most common in inauspicious leśyās and induce karmic-influx; however, endeavors to practice virtuous meditation (Dharma-dhyāna) can help to destroy karma and thus transform into the auspicious lesyās (see table 1.).
3.1.2. Introspection and Repentance (Pratikramaņa) Pratikramaņa meaning "introspection" is a process of repentance (prāyascit) and asking for forgiveness during daily activities. Pratikramana is the combination of two words, 'Pra' meaning return and 'atikramaņa' meaning violation. Jain householders are supposed to
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
Page 27 of 273
| SR No. | 007713 |
| Book Title | ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | International School for Jain Studies |
| Publisher | International School for Jain Studies |
| Publication Year | 2012 |
| Total Pages | 292 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 7 MB |