Meditation and Jainism

Author(s): Pratapkumar J Toliiya, Parul P Toliya
Publisher: Vardhaman Bharti International Foundation Bangalore

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Since the limitations here do not provide time and place to deal with these ocean -- like subjects, only a precise mention is possible as regards the forms, types, structure etc. of Meditation according to Jainism. STRUCTRE, CLASSIFICATION & ANALYSIS OF THE
JAINA WAY OF MEDITATION :
FOUR TYPES OF DHYANA : Minute observation of all the human beings provides that each and every one has concern with Meditation in one way or other. Everyone goes on “Meditating" (?) either on the right or the wrong path. This state is classified in terms of four types or kinds : 1) ARTTA DHYANA: ASHUBHA or DURDHYANA
(Inauspicious, bad, grief-hatred
-fear born it thinkings) 2) ROUDRA DHYANA : ASHUBHA or DURDHYANA
(born, hatred-born, fear-born
ill-thinkings.) 3) DHARMA DHYANA: SHUBHA or SUDHYANA.
(Auspicious, good, joy-born) 4) SHUKLA DHYANA : SHUDDHA-PRASHASHTA
ATAM DHYANA. (Pure, conditionless, limitless, reali
sation of the Self). Out of these, the first two dragging one on the wrong path of degrading states of the being, are strongly deplorable, as they are not subliming one's soul, and hence, they are not acceptable as “Meditation” in the true sense of meaning.
While the last two (Dharma Dhyana-Shukla
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