________________
74
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DHYANA IN JAIN, BUDDHA AND YOGA SYSTEMS
to get rid of the craving and aversion towards people and things is the way to end suffering and attain eternal
peace.
Prerequisite for Dhyaana
There is common ground among the three systems under study about the prerequisite condition for Dhayana. Before starting Dhyaana, Jaina system insists on adopting Anuvrata or Mahavrata' (small or big vows) and the same is insisted upon in Buddha system by the name of 'Sheela', and 'Yama' in Yoga system. Anuvrata and Yama are identical and emphasize non-violence, truth, non-stealth, celibacy and nonaccumulation.
In the Buddha system the vow of non-accumulation is replaced by non-use of intoxicants. One has to give up bad conduct before he can ever become eligible to undertake Dhyaana. Undertaking Dhyaana without giving up violence, untruth, stealing, indulgence and intoxicants is a travesty of asceticism and spiritual pursuit. Hence undertaking of vows is a prerequisite for Dhyaana
Tools and Aids of Dhyaana
In Yoga Darshana eight tools have been suggested to achieve the ultimate peace. They are Yama (vows), Niyama (Regularity), Aasana (Posture), Pranaayaama (Breathing), Pratyaahaar (diversion of attention to inner part of the body), Dhaarna (fixing attention on any part of the body), Dhyaana (continuity of attention), and Samadhi (total absorption). The first seven tools help in attaining the peace or Samaadhi. There is difference in what is mentioned in the book on Yoga by Patanjali on Aasana and Pranaayaam and what is prevalent in practice. Aasana has been defined as a posture which is comfortable and can be used to sit in Dhyaana for a long time. On the other hand, in practice, very difficult body postures are taught and they are not only difficult but excruciating and require severely masochistic practices. These postures may be helpful in attaining health or removing disease but cannot be helpful in attaining peace. As a matter of fact, they are in contradistinction to the definition given in the book. Similarly, in Pranaayaam the prevalent breathing exercises are not helpful in attaining concentration and peace. They may be helpful in attaining health but when the aim changes from attaining peace to attaining health, entire perspective changes. Yoga is to attain
