ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

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

Page 430

7.
Concentration
Clear Conviction
Dhy na - Prabh - Mental disturbance
Sun
8.
Ecstasy
Sam dhi- Par - Attachment
Moon
The first four d is are unsteady and fallible. The last four are steady and infallible. In the first d i called Mitr, the soul has indistinct enlightenment like a flash. In this stage it accumulates the seeds of Yoga. It is in front of the Gordian knot and is noble in character. In the second d i the soul exercises a bit of self control and becomes steady in spirituality. It desires to get rid of the worldly existence. In the third d i the desire deepens and the soul gains control over posture and in the fourth d i it gets control over breath. Although real spiritual progress has not yet set in, the soul tries to capture the image of the truth instead of the truth itself [23]. When the soul cultivates the right faith and cuts the knot it is said to reach the fifth stage of Sthir and enlightenment has now dawned on it. In the sixth stage the soul is engrossed in spiritual contemplation and the worldly pleasures do not allure him any longer. The seventh d i is Prabh where the soul has developed concentration and is free from mental disturbances and the eighth d i called Par is the consummation of dhy na, where the soul experiences spiritual joy ie ecstasy (Samadhi). It is pure, blemish-less and perfect. This is perfection of Yoga and by means of the last Yoga known as ayoga the soul achieves emancipation 124). All the knots are cut, karmas annihilated, mission fulfilled, vision and knowledge shine in clarity and nothing more remains to be achieved after this.
Haribhadra also discusses the three names of Yoga viz. Icch -Yoga i.e. Yoga by intention, stra Yoga i.e. Yoga by scripture and S marthya Yoga i.e. Yoga by exertion (25). He also talks of four types of Yogis i.e. Gotrayogi, Kulayogi, Pravrttacakrayogi, Nispannayogi 261. Yogabindu discusses about the preparation for perfection through spirituality. (Adhyatma), contemplation (bh van ), concentration (dhy na), equanimity (samat ) and annihilation of residual karmas (v ttisamk aya). He discusses 2 forms of Yoga, Ni caya Yoga and Vyavah ra Yoga in his Yoga ataka and four categories of s dhaka i.e. aspirants. Viz.
1. Apunarbandhaka. 2. Samyagdi 3. De avirati, 4. Sarvavirati.
Undoubtedly Haribhadra is influenced by P tanjali but through his works he has neatly interwoven the Jaina beliefs and practices for the common man to understand and relate with. Haribhadra compares Yoga to a kalpataru i.e. wish-fulfilling tree and says that whosoever turns inward and searches the truth, shall find it and eventually be liberated.
un narnava of ubhacandra is another beautiful thought provoking text, which discusses the 16-fold contemplations and reveals that when one wakes up from the slumber of delusion and practices the virtues, supreme ecstasy sets in and truth then reveals itself (27) He also distinguishes the three states of the soul as discussed earlier. He draws a very beautiful picture of a yogi engrossed in spirituality. A spiritual yogi dives deep into the ocean of compassion and loving kindness and is absolutely free from attachment and hatred. His body is steady and his mind is purified by the waves of enlightenment 28). He discusses four types of dhy na viz. Pindastha, Padastha, Rupastha and Rup tita129)
According to crya Hemachandra Yoga is the cause of final emancipation and he has discussed Yoga through right character and distinguishes four kinds of mental states viz. scattered (vik ipta). scattered cum collected (y t y ta), collected ( li ta) and merged (sulina) (30) R. William has discussed Muni c ra and rvak c ra in his book titled Jaina Yoga.
In modern times meditation on the Namas ra sutra, Navapada r dhan through colours, Prek meditation and also Vip san seem to be commonly practiced by Jains worldwide. But all Jain c ryas
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0