Spiritual Discipline and Practices in Jainism

Author(s): Bhagchandra Jain
Publisher: Z_Vijyanandsuri_Swargarohan_Shatabdi_Granth_012023.pdf

Page 32

gunasthanas from the 4th to 7th. On the otherhand, the Svetambara tradition is of view that it can be in the six Gunasthanas from 7th to 12th.
The Sukladhyana is of four types, viz. prthaktva-vitarka aavicari, ii) ekatva-vitarka-avicari, iii) suksmakriyaniyrtti, and iv) samucchinna kriya pratipati, or vuparatakriys nivrtti. Vitarka is srutajnana. Vicara is moving. During first two types of sukladhyana an aspirant attains various types of transcendental power (rddhis). Ghatikarmas are destroyed by ekatvavitarka sukladhyana and as a result the aspirant attains kevalajnana in the third sukladhyana suksmakriya-pratipati where the subtle activity of body remains and all other activites cease. It can be attained in the 13th gunasthana. The last fourth type of sukladhyana is attained by the aspirant when all the karmas are annihilated. This is called sailesi avastha. It is the fourteenth stage of gunasthana, the most purified stage of soul.
The dharmasdhyana and sukladhyana yogis are called dhyata who are endowed with prajnaparamita, buddhibala, jitendriya, sutrarthavalambi, dhira, yira, parisahajayi, viragi, ratnatrayadhari. 25 The object of meditation is to contemplate over the tattvas, paramesthis, nature of soul, ratnatraya, bhavanas etc. and attain salvation.
Yoga connotes the spiritual and religious activities that lead to nirvana. It is dhyana which carries an object to attain samyagdarsana. It is of four types, namely pindastha, padastha rupastha and rupatita.
Like Sravaka pratimas, the bhiksu pratimas are also discussed in the Dasasrutaskandha and other granthas. They are twelve in number, i.e. 1. masiki, dvimasiki, 3.-7. upto sapta masiki, 8-10. prathama, dvitiya, trtiya saptaratrindama, 11. aho ratri bhiksu pratima, 12. eka ratriki bhiksu pratima. The Jaina aspirant practises the anasana and unodara tapas through these bhiksu pratimas. The tapas and parisahas are to be endured so as not to swerve from the path of stoppage of karmas and for the sake of dissociation of karmas. The Pali literature also refers to these tapas of Niganthas which were also practised by the Buddha before he reached the Bodhi. 126
The mulagunas and uttaragunas are discussed in the Dasavaikalika, Sutrakrtanga, Acaranga, and other agamic literature. A Jaina monk is endowed with eight types of Ganisampadas, viz. acarasampada, srutasampada, sarira sampada, vacana sampada, matisampada, vacana sampada, prayoga matisampada, and sangraha parijna sampada.
Spiritual Discipline And Practices In Jainism
91