Jain Journal 2002 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 14

BRAHMESHANANDA: TAPAS IN JAINISM
179
dhyana fall under the category of sixth internal tapas. For meditation, the meditator should sit in the palyanka posture, control all activities of mind, speech and body, fix the gaze of his eyes on the tip of his nose, and inhale and exhale his breath slowly. Having condemned one's evil conduct, having begged pardon of all living beings, giving up carelessness, having steadied one's mind, one ought to undertake meditation until the thing meditated upon appears as if standing in front of oneself.37
A thorough understanding of the nature of the mundane existence, lack of attachment and aversion, fearlessness, desirelessness, and having an attitude of indifference towards the world are the qualifications for attaining success in meditation. The types and subtypes of the dharma and sukla-dhyang, the detailed techniques, qualifications, etc. are described in great detail in Jain scriptures, Here it has been mentioned only as one of the types of tapas.38
Conclusion
This, then, is a short account of tapas in Jainism. Practices like service, humility, scriptural study, renunciation, and meditation are accepted in all the religions of the world even though they may or may not be classed as austerities. Controversy arises only with regard to methods of physical mortification. According to Vyasa's commentary on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, tapas essentially means physical mortification. In Christianity, external mortification consists in control of the five senses of knowledge. On the other hand, Buddhism and the Gita do not seem to advocate physical austerities. Nevertheless, the place of judicious external mortification in the scheme of spiritual practice cannot be denied, and in this respect, the classification and arrangement of austerities in Jainism are worth appreciating. With the permission of the editor, the article is reprinted here from the Vedānta Kesarī, 1996, p 53ff. We are thankful to the editor. With the permission of the editor al the three articles are reprinted here from the Vedānta keśari, 1996, p 53ff onwards we are thankful to the editor.
37. Op.cit., 489-90. 38. The details can be found in my article The Meditation Techniques in
Jainism', Prabuddha Bharata, February 1985.