Jainism in a Global Perspective - Collection of Jain papers of 1993 Parliament of World Religions, Chicago

SR No.: 014010
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain, Shreeprakash Pandey
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 402
Language: English
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 23 MB

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Jainism in a Global Perspective
be worship-room, temple, monastery, pilgrimage centre or more secluded places. The posture should be steady and such as not to produce any tension in any part of the body. In addition to the classical postures like Padmāsana, Ardhapadmāsana, Sukhasana and Siddhāsana, the Jaina, tradition has developed a unique technique of
meditating even in an upright posture (Kāyotsarga)". ii. Work and Food : Both of these should be moderate. Too much
eating or too much physical exertion has a detrimental effect on
meditational success-223. iii. Regularity and Continuity : As success in the path of meditation is
a long-drawn process, ups and downs are often experienced, and hence, regularity in practice and continuity in efforts will minimize such ups and downs and infuse enthusiasm in the aspirant for acquiring sercnity and quietude of the mind during the periods of the meditation. Repeated remembrances of Godhood, other worshipful personalities, objects, and one's true self during the daily routine is very helpful. Recitation of the Namaskāra Mantrawith remembrance of five worshipful personalities is quitąpopular in Jaina tradition and has found a wide application among most aspirants24. An incessant attitude of advanced non-attachment round the clock has been recommended in Pūjyapāda's Samãdhi Sataka (50) --
iv.
atmajñāta paraṁ kāryaṁ na buddhau dhārayet ciram. / kuryādarthavaśāt kimcit vākkāyābhyāṁtatparaḥ. // Transcendental Meditation : By regularly performing the above practices with an enlightened vision and arduous devotion, the aspirant has now overcome almost all the eight types of sorrowful and cruel thoughts?s. He now undertakes the following three special types of contemplations to reach the peak of his worthiness26. a. He deeply reflects over the twelve types of contemplations
namely transitoriness, helplessness, loneliness, distinctness, impurity, influx, stoppage, dissociation, the universe, rarity of
enlightenment and truth proclaimed by religion b. He also inculcates the four special attitudes as depicted in the
first stanza of Amitgati-Sāmāyik a Pātha which reads as