ABC of Jainism

Author(s): S L Jain
Publisher: Maitree Samooh

Page 17

CHAPTER 8
JAINA CONCEPT OF MEDITATION Question : what is the Jaina concept of meditation ? Answer : in Jainism, meditation means concentration of mind on a particular object. When the mind concentrates on a moral or a religious object, it is known as a religious mediation and when the mind concentrates on mundane object(s), it is called immoral concentration.
Question : What are the types of immoral concentration ? Answer : immoral concentration is of two types evil concentration and wicked concentration. In the adverse circumstances, we remain continuously worried to get rid off those circumstances. In the absence of mundane pleasure objects, we remain continuously worried to get them. When we suffer with any disease or body pain, we suffer with any disease or body pain, we remain continuously worried to get rid off the same. We also remain worried for getting future mundane pleasures. All these type of continuous worries and feelings of sadness are termed as evil concentration. To enjoy and remain continuously engaged in the planning of violent activities falsehood, theft and collection of objects of mundane pleasures etc. all these are termed as wicked concentration.
Question : How do we remain engaged in moral or religious meditation ? Answer: Religious meditation is a practice of equanimity in pleasure and pain. Religious concentration consists of repeated reflection on nature of the world, the physical body and mundane pleasures. In addition, one concentrates on the virtues of Panch Parameshthi by continuous recitation of Namokar Mantra. Twelve type of repeated reflections are helpful in religious meditation. Repeated reflections make a deep impact on our mind like the qualitative change occurring in water on its repeated heating and cooling. These repeated reflections make qualitative changes in our conscious state. Our behavior starts changing. As a matter of fact these reflections are the right kind of experiments of our thought energy. These are capable of reducing the perplexity of our thinking and to provide the right direction to our thought process. These are the best techniques of thought