ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03

SR No.: 007713
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

Page 41

SCHOOL
TIONAL
OF
SELF STUDY IS THE SUPREME AUSTERITY,
स्वाध्यायपर तप
IN STUDIES
observe twelve minor vows. During Pratikramana any violations that may have occurred in the observation of these vows are reviewed.
Regular practice of Pratikramana helps to minimize the karmic bondage.
3.2. Prekṣa-dhyāna
During the last several decades, Jain saints, notably, Acharya Tulsi and Acharya Mahaprajna have developed and established a system of meditation known as Prekṣādhyāna, which is now being taught in several centers around the world, as an easy and practical way to affect a transmutation of lesya and thereby to modify behavior. Effectiveness and several benefits of practice of Prekṣa-dhyāna at the physiological, mental and spiritual levelsin normal subjects and patients have been demonstrated.
The word prekṣā is derived from the root ikṣa, which means 'to see'. Prekṣā-dhyāna is based on the perception of subtle internal and innate phenomena of consciousness. The main purpose of the practice of Preksa-dhyana is to purify the mental states. Lesya-dhyāna, representing meditation on psychic centers and psychic colors, forms an important component of Preksa-dhyana.
To bring about the desired transformations in behavior, Lesya-dhyāna or the perception of psychic color during meditation could prove to be a practical means of emotional regulation. The practice of Lesya-dhyāna can successively diminish intensities of the malevolent lesyās from Kṛṣṇa to Nila and from Nila to Kāpota. And then progressively increase the intensities of the benevolent lesyās.
4. Possible Scientific Correlates and Areas of Lesya Research
The relationships of consciousness with the physical body and behavior have been explored by disciplines such as philosophy and psychology, behavioral and neurosciences, and more recently quantum physics, artificial intelligence and computer sciences. Theories based on different epistemological assumptions employing known neuro-physiological mechanisms and concepts of quantum theory attempt to understand the empirical correlations between mental states (consciousness) and material states of the living systems/ the brain. Though, presently such theories are essentially speculative and unsatisfactory because of deficient formal basis, detailed description and lack of empirical evidence, yet could be valuable since they present interesting ideas for future developments.
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0