Dhyanavichargranth

This document is a Gujarati text titled "Dhyanavichargranth" (Book of Meditation and Contemplation) authored by Muni Buddhisagar. Published by Shri Jain Pratmanand Sabha, it's presented as part of the Shrimad Buddhisagarsuri Granthamala. The book delves deeply into the concept of meditation within the Jain tradition.

Here's a breakdown of its content based on the provided pages:

Introduction and Context (Pages 3-7):

• Purpose of the Book: The introduction expresses joy in publishing this work, highlighting its role in fostering love for one's birthplace, awakening a sense of duty, enabling comparisons between past glory and present decline, promoting awareness of different religions and one's own dharma, inspiring contributions to the progress of one's country and village, and demonstrating the utility of copper plates and inscriptions for historical evidence.
• Historical Context of Vijapur: The book is connected to the history of Vijapur (also referred to as Vidyapur). It mentions the earlier publication "Vijapur Vrittant" and how this expanded version is named "Bharat Gujarat Vijapur (Vidyapur) Brihad Vrittant." The text discusses historical evidence for Vijapur's existence, including inscriptions dating back to before 802 AD, indicating the rule of Chavda kings.
• Inscriptions and Their Importance: It stresses the importance of inscriptions and mentions that some saved inscriptions from ancient Vijapur temples shed light on its history. Efforts were made to locate further writings about Vijapur.
• Inspiration and Dedication: The book is dedicated to the memory of the virtuous and charitable Seth Maganlal Kankuchand, whose life story was included in the first edition. Financial assistance for this edition was received from a member of the Sabha, fulfilling the wishes of both the deceased Seth and the Guru.
• Portraits and Maps: The publication coincides with the Golden Jubilee of Shri Sayajirao Gaekwad, and his portrait is included. The portrait of Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri, whose samadhi temple is being established at Vijapur, is also included. A map of the Vijapur taluka is also presented.
• Author's Aspirations: The author expresses a desire for scholars like the Guru to produce many such works, fostering high conduct and expanding the fame of their homeland.
• Personal Reflections: The text includes personal reflections from the author (likely Lallubhai Karanchand Dalal, mentioned later) about the profound influence of their Guru, Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri, and the untimely demise of their patrons and the Guru, seeing it as divinely ordained.
• Support and Acknowledgment: The book was published with the financial support of Seth Kastur Chand Virchand of Mesana.

Core Content: The Science of Meditation (Dhyana Vichar) (Pages 9 onwards):

• Essence of Meditation: The book defines meditation (Dhyana) as a means to abandon negative thoughts (Dur-dhyana) and embrace positive thoughts (Sud-dhyana), stating that everyone needs positive meditation. It emphasizes that meditation leads to concentration and includes contemplation.

• Scriptural Basis: It cites Jain scriptures and principles that advocate for meditation for both laypeople (Shravaks) and ascetics (Sadhus), noting its inclusion in atonement practices and ascetic disciplines.

• Importance for Liberation: The text asserts that liberation (Mukti) is not possible without meditation, describing it as inner conduct and the key to attaining omniscience (Kevalgyan).

• Four Types of Meditation: The primary focus is on the four types of meditation:

  1. Aarta Dhyana (Miserable/Painful Meditation): This involves dwelling on loss of loved ones, undesirable situations, illness, and worries. The book describes various scenarios of grief and lamentation, emphasizing that such thoughts lead to negative karma and are a cause of suffering in future lives.
  2. Raudra Dhyana (Fierce/Angry Meditation): This is further divided into four categories:
     • Hinsa Anubandhi (Related to Violence): Enjoyment derived from harming living beings, from simple insects to animals, and even in warfare.
     • Mrusha Anubandhi (Related to Falsehood): Deception, cheating, lying, and manipulation for personal gain, finding pleasure in outsmarting others.
     • Steya Anubandhi (Related to Stealing): Dishonest acquisition of wealth through various fraudulent means, feeling pride in such acts.
     • Parigraha Anubandhi (Related to Attachment/Possession): Excessive attachment to wealth, property, and possessions, constantly worrying about their accumulation and protection. The text details the negative consequences of each type of Raudra Dhyana, linking them to lower realms of existence. It also touches upon the different colorations of negative passions (Kashaya) associated with these meditations.
  3. Dharma Dhyana (Religious/Virtuous Meditation): This is presented as beneficial and is further categorized into four sub-types:
     • Ajna Vichaya (Contemplation of Authority/Commandments): Reflecting on and accepting the teachings of the Tirthankaras.
     • Apaya Vichaya (Contemplation of Means/Path): Understanding the path to liberation, recognizing the soul's pure nature, and discarding worldly attachments.
     • Vipaka Vichaya (Contemplation of Consequences): Understanding the results of karma and the cycle of birth and death.
     • Sansthan Vichaya (Contemplation of Structure/Cosmology): Meditating on the Jain concept of the universe (Loka) and its constituent parts. The book elaborates on each of these Dharma Dhyana types, explaining their practice through virtuous conduct, the five Mahavratas (great vows) of ascetics, the twelve vows of householders, and the twelve Bhavanas (contemplations). It details the purity required in conduct, speech, and thought.
  4. Shukla Dhyana (Pure/White Meditation): This is the highest form of meditation, leading to liberation. It is described as having four stages:
     • Pruthaktva Vitarka Savichara: Analyzing the nature of reality through detailed contemplation.
     • Ekattva Vitarka Avichara: Focusing on the oneness of the soul.
     • Sukshma Kriya Apratipati: Experiencing subtle, non-hindered soul activity.
     • Uchchhinn Kriya Anivrutti: Complete cessation of all karmic activity, leading to omniscience and liberation. The book explains that through these stages, the soul sheds its karmic veils and attains its pure, omniscient nature. It also touches upon the importance of understanding the soul's pure essence and the distinction between material and spiritual realities.

• The Twelve Bhavanas (Contemplations): The text extensively explains the twelve contemplations that are crucial for developing Dharma Dhyana and spiritual progress. These are:

  1. Anitya Bhavana (Impermanence): Reflecting on the transient nature of the body, life, and worldly possessions.
  2. Asharan Bhavana (Lack of Refuge): Understanding that in times of suffering, no one, not even loved ones or divine beings, can truly offer refuge except one's own actions (karma).
  3. Sansar Bhavana (The Cycle of Existence): Contemplating the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth across various life forms and realms due to karma.
  4. Ekatva Bhavana (Oneness/Solitude): Realizing that the soul is alone in experiencing its actions and their consequences, and in its journey towards liberation.
  5. Anyatva Bhavana (Otherness/Separateness): Understanding that all external things, including the body, family, and possessions, are separate from the soul.
  6. Ashuchi Bhavana (Impurity): Contemplating the impure nature of the physical body and its constituent elements.
  7. Ashrava Bhavana (Influx of Karma): Recognizing how worldly actions, passions, and sensory indulgence lead to the influx of karma.
  8. Samvara Bhavana (Cessation of Karma): Understanding the practices and disciplines that stop the influx of karma.
  9. Nirjara Bhavana (Shedding of Karma): Focusing on the practices of penance and austerities that destroy accumulated karma.
  10. Loka Bhavana (The Universe): Contemplating the structure and nature of the Jain universe, its realms, and inhabitants.
  11. Bodhi Durlabha Bhavana (Rarity of Enlightenment): Reflecting on the difficulty of obtaining right faith, knowledge, and conduct in the cycle of rebirth.
  12. Dharma Kathana Bhavana (The Preacher of Dharma): Recognizing the Tirthankaras and their teachings as the ultimate source of spiritual guidance.

• Mind Control and Its Importance: The book emphasizes the extreme difficulty of controlling the mind, which can lead to either suffering or liberation. It stresses the need to conquer the mind through spiritual practices and understanding.

• Dharma Dhyana and Shukla Dhyana: The text describes how Dharma Dhyana helps overcome the lower forms of meditation (Aarta and Raudra Dhyana) and leads towards the higher state of Shukla Dhyana, ultimately facilitating spiritual attainment.

• Distinction between Hatha Samadhi and Sahaja Samadhi: The book differentiates between forced concentration (Hatha Samadhi) and natural, effortless concentration achieved through understanding Jain principles (Sahaja Samadhi), stating that true liberation comes only through the latter.

Author's Life and Publisher's Note:

• Seth Kastur Chand Virchand's Biography: A brief biography of Seth Kastur Chand Virchand, the patron of the book, is included, highlighting his philanthropic activities, support for Jain institutions, and devotion to religious practices.
• Errata: A corrigendum ("Shuddhipatra") is provided to correct errors in the text.

In essence, "Dhyanavichargranth" is a comprehensive guide to meditation within the Jain framework, meticulously detailing the types of meditation, their scriptural basis, the path to spiritual liberation, and the importance of virtuous conduct and contemplation, all presented with historical context and personal reflections.