Transmutation of Personality through Preksha Meditation

Author(s): Tulsi Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 74

the phrase, entered the meditation cell'. The epithet here is indicative of the importance of the tradition of meditation. Meditation is an indispensable element in the achievement of omniscience. And without practising shukla dhyana no sadhak can achieve omniscience, cannot become a veetarag i.e. gain freedom from passions and affections. Supernatural knowledge and ultra-psychological knowledge are also culminations of dhyana sadhana. In order to attain knowledge of the 14 purvas" (previous scriptures), one has to pass through a specific background of meditation. The sadhak who completes the discipline of Mahaprana meditation, acquires in the final stages the ability to revive fourteen past lives. In this context, the name of Acharya Bhadrabahu is noteworthy.
Acharya Bhadrabahu was the eighth successor of Lord Mahavir. He equally nurtured the traditions of meditation and the received scriptures. In the tradition of Jain preceptors, he was the fifth. Bhadrabahu was born in the first century of Vir Nirvana. In the second century, he became the Acharya after Acharya Sanbhutvijay. After he became the Acharya, he visited Nepal. There in the tranquil solitude of the hills, he started his practice of Mahaprana meditation.
At that time, the region frequented by Jain munis was afflicted with famine. Alms-giving during this time of scarcity became scarce. As a result, many munis who could have preserved the oral tradition of the scriptures, died. Except Acharya Bhadrabahu no chaturdashpoorvi muni (one who had mastered 14 purvas) survived. For maintaining the continuity of the received tradition, some munis immediately left for Nepal. On reaching there, they made this request to Bhadrabahu, "The Shraman • Teachings of the predecessors of Lord Mahavir included in scriptures.
*
59