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Chapter 12 - Dhyäna (Meditation)
Meditation in Jain Scriptures
Meditation (Dhyana) is the process of concentration of the mind on a single topic preventing it from wandering. We are always every moment in meditation; either virtuous or non-virtuous. This concentration could arise from intense passions like attachment, aversion, hatred, animosity, etc. This is not virtuous meditation. Since non-virtuous meditation is a cause of rebirth, it is worthy of rejection. On the other hand, if it arises from the search for the truth and from absolute detachment towards worldly affairs, it is virtuous meditation. It is the cause of spiritual good and liberation, so worthy of acceptance. It can be practiced by a person with a physical constitution who can keep his thought activity from drifting and concentrate solely on the nature of self. When the soul gets rid of all auspicious and inauspicious intentions and dilemmas and attains a state of unbiased absorption, then all bonds of Karma break down. In fact, virtuous meditation entails forgetting all worries, intentions and dilemmas and stabilizes the mind. Virtuous meditation purifies the mind, speech and body. However, it is of no avail to inflict pain on the body if it is not going to purify the thoughts. One who stabilizes the mind and concentrates on self definitely achieves salvation. Meditation is the only means to stabilize the mind. To do virtuous meditation, it has to be preceded by Swädhyäy. Here Swädhyay is the cause and meditation is the effect. One of the parts of Swädhyay is contemplation (Anuprekshä) and deep contemplation. It involves contemplating about the nature of soul, thinking of the difference between soul and matter, and concentrating on the true self. This leads to meditation. Without the knowledge of what is soul, what is karma, what are the teachings of Tirthankars and similar subjects, how can one engage in virtuous meditation?
Four Kinds of Meditation:
Non-virtuous Meditation
• Sorrowful (Ärta Dhyäna) meditation
• Wrathful (Raudra Dhyana) meditation
Virtuous Meditation
• Righteous (Dharma Dhyäna) meditation Spiritual (Shukla Dhyäna) meditation
Arta Dhyana (Sorrowful Meditation)
The Sanskrit word Ärta means sorrow. The thought or activity caused by an outburst and intensity of sorrow is sorrowful meditation. In other words, it is to feel sorry for losing or fear of losing likeable things or for not getting rid of dislikable things. It is of the following four types:
Dislike related (Anishta-samyoga) sorrowful meditation
It is persistent thought and worry about the removal of disagreeable orients, situations or events.
Attachment related (Ishta-viyoga) sorrowful meditation
It is the constant feelings of anguish on the loss of some likeable object or person, such as wealth, spouse or child, and the preoccupation to recover the lost objects.
Suffering related (Vedanä) sorrowful meditation
It is having persistent desire for less suffering. This is thinking of getting rid of or remedying agony and malady.
Desire related (Nidäna) sorrowful meditation
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE - 2
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