Self Awareness Through Meditation

Author(s): Ranjitsingh Kumat
Publisher: Ranjitsingh Kumat

Page 65

SELF AWARENESS THROUGH MEDITATION
33
the word 'Dhyana’ or Meditation in this Sutta. Meditation or Dhyana, as a subject, has been dealt with separately in later Sutras like 'Uttaraadhyana' and 'Thaanaang but they have no linkage with the Aachaaraanga Sutta. Later some of the important saints like Haribhadrasoori (author of Tika or comments on ‘Dhyanashataka' or hundred stanzas on meditation), Shubhachandracharya (author of Gyanaarnava’ or Garden of Knowledge) and Hemachandracharya (author of Yogashastra' or Thesis on Yoga) wrote on Dhyana in depth based on their own practice and study but their writings bear obvious influence of Maharshi Patanjali of ‘Yoga' fame. Even the later developments in Tantra Vigyaana and Hatha Yoga (Use of Mantra etc to show miracles and the Yoga of various bodily postures and breathing exercises etc.) were incorporated in these writings. 53 However, the original sayings of Lord Mahavira contained in the ‘Aachaaranga Sutta' have an entirely different bearing and connotation and are more similar to Vipassana type of meditation.
In early 1969, Shri Satyanarayanji Goenka, who had learnt Vipassana from Sayaji U Ba Khin (of Burma now known as Myanmar), came to India from Burma and held camps to teach Vipassana meditation as taught by Lord Buddha (forgotten in India, but kept alive in Burma). Since then, in the last 40 years, Vipassana meditation has become quite popular in India and abroad and there are now more than 100 centres and more than 500 Acharyas to propagate it. Some Jain saints like Mahapragya Nathmalji learnt it and adapted it as ‘Preksha Dhyana'. In this he incorporated many other elements of Pantajal Yoga, some elements from Jain scriptures and some from modern theories about endocrinology. Similarly Muni Shri Chandraprabhji initiated Sambodhi Dhyana' and Acharya Shri Nanalalji Maharaj started 'Sameekhsana Dhyana'. Until the reintroduction of 'Vipassana' in India by Shri Satyanarayanaji Goenka, the emphasis in the religious practices of Jains was on prayers, fasting and good conduct; meditation was not emphasized though it is one of the twelve penances recommended for ‘Nirjara’ or dissolution of Karmas. Sutras like Tatvartha Sutra, Uttaradhyayana Sutra and Thaanaanga describe in detail the types of Dhyaana, their verbal connotations and 'anuprekshas’ (experiences) etc. but they do not describe the method of meditation, nor bear similarity or relationship with the sutras of Aachaaraanga.
Vipassana
What is Vipassana? Vipassana is made up of two syllables, namely, Vi' and ‘Passa”. Passa in Pali language means to see and Vi' means in a special manner. To observe anything intently, deeply, and from different angles is Vipassana.