Jain Evam Bauddh Yog

This comprehensive summary of "Jain evam Bauddh Yog: Ek Tulnatmak Adhyayan" (Jain and Buddhist Yoga: A Comparative Study) by Dr. Sudha Jain, published by Parshwanath Shodhpith Varanasi, highlights the book's focus on a comparative analysis of yoga practices within Jainism and Buddhism.

The book is a detailed exploration, presented in Hindi, of the concept and practice of yoga in both Jain and Buddhist traditions, aiming to provide a comparative perspective. Edited by Dr. Vijay Kumar, it is part of the Parshwanath Vidyapitha Granthamala series.

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects covered in the book, as indicated by the chapter titles and introductory material:

Core Objective:

• The primary goal of the book is to offer a comparative study of yoga as practiced and conceptualized within the Jain and Buddhist traditions. It seeks to bridge the gap in existing scholarship, which, according to the author, has not sufficiently addressed the comparative aspects of these two prominent Indian spiritual paths.

Key Themes and Chapters:

1. Introduction and Historical Context of Yoga in India:

   • The book begins by establishing the ancient roots of yoga in India, referencing archaeological findings from Mohenjo-daro and Harappa that suggest yogic practices predating the Vedic period.
   • It emphasizes that the "path of practice" (sadhana marg) is considered older and more significant than the "path of ritual" (yajna marg) in ancient Indian traditions.
   • The text acknowledges that while detailed descriptions of yogic practices from the ancient past are scarce, the available evidence points to the continuous practice of yoga by Vedic seers and Śramaṇa ascetics for spiritual development. Modern practices like Preksha Dhyana (Jain) and Vipassanā (Buddhist) are presented as modern interpretations of these ancient methods.

2. Concept of Yoga in Jainism and Buddhism:

   • This chapter delves into the fundamental understanding of "yoga" within both philosophical systems.
   • It highlights that while both traditions accept yoga as a means to spiritual liberation (moksha/nirvana), their interpretations and emphasis differ.
   • Jain Yoga: Yoga is understood as the cleansing of the soul (atma shuddhi) leading to liberation. It is closely linked to the "Three Jewels" (Triratna) of Right Faith (samyak darshan), Right Knowledge (samyak jnana), and Right Conduct (samyak charitra), collectively known as the "Path of Liberation" (moksha marg). Jain yoga emphasizes saṃvara (cessation of the influx of karma) and nirjara (shedding of accumulated karma). The text explores various classifications of Jain yoga, including the trividh yoga (samayik, shedopasthapaniya, pariharvishuddhi, sukshmasamparaya, and yathyakhyat charitra) and the concept of tapas (asceticism) as a crucial component. The book discusses the twelve vows (anuvratas and gunavratas/shikshavratas) and the eleven stages of spiritual progress (pratimā).
   • Buddhist Yoga: In Buddhism, yoga is largely synonymous with samādhi (concentration) and dhyāna (meditation). The ultimate goal is the attainment of bodhi (enlightenment) and nirvana. The book discusses the Buddha's own yogic practices before enlightenment and his subsequent emphasis on the "Middle Path" (madhyamā pratipadā), embodied in the Noble Eightfold Path. Key concepts include samādhi (mental concentration), prajñā (wisdom), and śīla (ethical conduct). The text explores various meditation techniques, particularly ānāpānasati (mindfulness of breathing) and vipaśyanā (insight meditation). It also touches upon the concept of dhutangas (ascetic practices) and the hindrances to meditation (nivaraṇas).

3. Jain and Buddhist Yoga Literature:

   • This section provides an overview of the significant texts and literary works related to yoga and meditation in both traditions.
   • For Jainism, it discusses key scriptures like Mokshapahud, Samadhitantra, Mulachara, Bhagavati Aradhana, Tattvartha Sutra, Dhyana Shataka, Yogavishika, Yogadrishtisamucchaya, Yogabindu, Yogashastra, and Jnana-rṇava.
   • For Buddhism, it covers foundational texts like the Tripitaka (Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, Abhidhamma Pitaka) and influential works such as Lalitavistara, Visuddhimagga, Abhidhammattha Sangaho, Bodhicharyavatara, and Abhidharmakosha.

4. Metaphysical Basis of Jain and Buddhist Yoga:

   • This chapter examines the underlying philosophical and metaphysical principles that inform yogic practices in both traditions.
   • Jainism: Focuses on the nature of reality (dravya), the soul (jiva), karma, bondage (bandha), and liberation (moksha). It explores the concept of anekāntavāda (non-absolutism) and syādvāda (conditional predication) and how these metaphysical views shape the Jain approach to yoga, emphasizing the soul's intrinsic potential for liberation through self-effort.
   • Buddhism: Discusses key concepts like impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), non-self (anatta), the Four Noble Truths, the Twelve Nidānas (Dependent Origination), and śūnyatā (emptiness). It highlights how the Buddhist understanding of reality, particularly the absence of a permanent soul, influences its yogic path, aiming to overcome suffering by eradicating craving and ignorance.

5. Ethical Dimensions of Yoga Sadhana:

   • This chapter analyzes the ethical frameworks that underpin yogic practices in Jainism and Buddhism.
   • Jainism: Emphasizes the role of samayik (equanimity), saṃvega (spiritual fervor), nirveda (detachment), anukampā (compassion), and āstikya (faith) as crucial ethical components. The book details the five minor vows (anuvratas), three reinforcing vows (gunavratas), and four training vows (shikshavratas) for lay practitioners, as well as the five great vows (mahavratas) for ascetics. The meticulous practice of śīla (virtue) and tapas (asceticism) is presented as integral to spiritual progress.
   • Buddhism: Focuses on the Noble Eightfold Path, which includes Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. The importance of śīla (morality), samādhi (concentration), and prajñā (wisdom) as the three trainings for liberation is stressed. The book discusses the ethical precepts for both lay followers (upāsakas) and monastic followers (bhikshus).

6. Jain and Buddhist Meditation Techniques:

   • This chapter provides a detailed account of the specific meditation methods employed in both traditions.
   • Jain Meditation: Explores various forms of dhyāna (meditation), including ārta (sorrowful), raudra (fierce), dharma (righteous), and śukla (pure) dhyāna. It delves into techniques like kāyotsarga (body abandonment), prāṇāyāma (breath control), pratyāhāra (sense withdrawal), dhāraṇā (concentration), and samādhi (absorption). The book highlights the systematic development of Preksha Dhyana in modern Jainism.
   • Buddhist Meditation: Focuses on samatha (calm abiding) and vipaśyanā (insight meditation). It explains the role of the jhānas (absorptions) and the four brahmavihāras (sublime states: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity). The text elaborates on ānāpānasati (mindfulness of breathing) and vipassanā (insight into impermanence, suffering, and non-self) as central meditative practices.

7. Stages of Spiritual Development:

   • This chapter outlines the progressive stages of spiritual growth as understood in Jain and Buddhist traditions.
   • Jainism: Discusses the fourteen guṇasthānas (stages of spiritual development), which chart the soul's journey from ignorance (mithyā-dṛṣṭi) to liberation (kevalī). These stages represent the gradual purification of the soul from karmic bondage.
   • Buddhism: Explains the stages of spiritual attainment within the ariyamagga (Noble Path), particularly the four stages of sainthood in Theravada Buddhism (sotāpanna, sakadāgāmī, anāgāmī, arhat) and the ten bhūmis (stages of a Bodhisattva) in Mahayana Buddhism, leading to Buddhahood.

8. Bondage and Liberation:

   • The concluding chapters focus on the concepts of bondage (bandha) and liberation (moksha/nirvana) in both traditions.
   • Jainism: Explains bondage as the soul's entanglement with karmic matter (pudgala) due to passions (kashayas) and activities (yoga). Liberation (moksha) is achieved by the complete annihilation of karma through the practice of the Three Jewels and rigorous asceticism. The concept of jīvanmukti (liberated while living) and videhamukti (liberation after death) is explored.
   • Buddhism: Views bondage as arising from ignorance (avidyā), craving (tṛṣṇā), and the cycle of rebirth (saṃsāra), explained through the doctrine of Dependent Origination (pratītyasamutpāda). Liberation (nirvāṇa) is the cessation of suffering and the extinguishing of the fires of greed, hatred, and delusion, attained through the Noble Eightfold Path. The book clarifies the nuanced Buddhist understanding of "no-self" (anattā) in contrast to the Jain concept of the soul (jiva).

Overall Significance:

The book "Jain evam Bauddh Yog: Ek Tulnatmak Adhyayan" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the rich and complex yogic and meditative traditions of Jainism and Buddhism. By offering a comparative perspective, it sheds light on both the shared aspirations for spiritual liberation and the unique methodologies employed by these two influential Indian religious and philosophical systems. Dr. Sudha Jain's work provides a scholarly yet accessible exploration of these profound spiritual paths.