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The Highest Form of Tapas: Dhyana
description of Mahavira given in one of the Agamas.50 This representation simply serves to fix the attention. One must then go beyond the external form and concentrate on what the jinas in reality are.5 51
iii) Dravya-dhyeya
This consists in concentration on the doctrine in general and, in particular, upon dravya, substance.52
iv) Bhava-dhyeya
This refers to the consideration of the more specific aspects of a given substance.53
385
Till now the whole effort of concentration has been upheld by some support. Now we turn to a consideration of that dharma-dhyāna of which the content is already well-advanced, so that external supports are no longer required. This is niscaya-dhyāna or sva-ātmaālambana, whose sole alambana is the atman of the one who concentrates. 54 The Tattvānusāsana excels in describing this type of dhyāna. Here are some of the lines it follows:
This form of dhyana is based on the teaching of Scripture concerning the atman; each aspect of this teaching is spotlighted, in order to strength darśana and jñāna.55
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50 Ibid., 109.
51 Cf. SamSa 28-29; P 317 ff.
52 Cf. Tattvanu 110-115 (similar to DhyanSat 52-54).
53 Ibid., 116.
54 Ibid., 141; 118; 135-138.
55 Ibid., 144-159.
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