Jain Journal 2002 04

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

Page 24

BRAHMESHANANDA: THE LADDER OF SPIRITUAL ASCENT
Another subject intimately related to spiritual ascent is that of dhyāna, or meditation. In Jainism all thinking or dhyana is classified into four types: arta or sorrowful, raudra or violent, dharma or virtuous and sukla or pure. Of these the first and the second spring from anxiety, anger, violent desires and craving for sense pleasures, and are spiritually degrading. The third consists of purifying, religious thoughts. The fourth is pure concentrated meditation undertaken in very high stages of spiritual development. Each of these four dhyanas has four sub-types.
With these preliminary remarks, let us now study serially the various steps of spiritual ascent which in Jainism are called gunasthānas.
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1st stage: mithyātva guṇasthāna
Mithyātva, or state of ignorance of or perverted attitude towards one's real nature, duty and aim of life, is described in detail in Jain literature. This is the lowest rung of the ladder and a person standing here cannot be considered a Jain, since he lacks even a basic understanding of the path. He has erroneous notions about reality and mistakes untruth for truth, adharma for dharma and vice-versa. He is extrovert, sensuous and strives for sense-enjoyments which he considers the goal of life. He has no moral guidelines. Psychologically, he is overpowered by desires and passions, and possesses to an intense degree anger, greed, egotism, and deceit. Another feature of a person in this stage is bigotry, narrowmindedness and obstinacy regarding his erroneous beliefs. He has either no intellectual capacity to reassess his preconceived notions, or lacks the willingness to modify them.
Most worldly people belong to this ganasthāna. Some may in due course awaken to the right attitude and gradually advance towards perfection. This stage also includes materialists and those who do not accept a spiritual goal of life, though they may be morally more advanced than mere brutes.
Right attitude (samyag-darśana), right knowledge (samyag-jñāna) and right conduct (samyak-cāritra) are the three pillars of Jainism. In the mithyātva gunasthāna all these three are obstructed. When right attitude and faith awaken, the individual ascends to the fourth gunasthāna.
5. For details readers are requested to see the article 'Meditation techniques in Jainism' in Prabuddha Bharata, February 1985, p. 68.