ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 262

INTERNATIO
SCHOOL
Vajrasana,
Virāsana,
Sukhasana,
• Kamalāsana,
Käyotsarga
OF
SELF STUDY IS THE SUPREME AUSTERITY
Farenga
may be caused by people of reprehensible profession, bad character, women, or animals, should be avoided.
AN STUDIES
On the other hand, a place that is sanctified by the association of great persons, and is lonely like seashore, forest, mountain, island, etc. should be chosen. The place for meditation should not have disturbance by noise, rain or wind.
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
Postures for Dharma Dhyana
Every place and every posture is suitable for meditation for him, who is detached, steadfast, firm and pure. Yet postures have importance of their own. They are
Paryankāsana,
Ardhaparyankāsana,
The first and last of these seven, are especially suitable for the modern age, when people lack energy. The aspirant should face east or north, though there is no fixed rule. One who has controlled his posture becomes immune from the clemencies of nature. Sitting crosslegged; one should place his left hand on the lap, concentrating his sight on the tip of the nose, and making his face as motionless as the lake with fish asleep.
Other auxiliaries of Dhyana
In Patanjala Yoga, much importance has been attached to Pranayama. In Jainism also, Subhacandra considers control over breath of much importance for control over mind. At the same time he also says that controlling the breath may lead to arta dhyāna. The main purpose of these praṇāyāma is to control the mind, and they give to know the whole world also. Better than prāṇāyāma is pratyāhāra, which means concentrating on forehead by withdrawing the senses. Besides, one can concentrate on the eyes, the ears, the tip of nose, the mouth, the naval, the head, the heart, and the place between the two eyebrows.
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