Meditation And Jainism

Here is a comprehensive summary of "Meditation & Jainism" by Prof. Pratapkumar J. Toliya:

Core Argument: The book argues that Jainism, despite a historical decline in its prominence regarding meditation practices, possesses a profound, unique, and sophisticated approach to meditation that has influenced other spiritual traditions, including Buddhism (particularly Zen). It aims to reintroduce and elucidate the essence of Jain meditation, identifying it as a royal path (Raja Yoga) to self-realization and liberation.

Historical Context and Decline:

• The author notes that while meditation was central to Jainism from its Tirthankaras (enlightened beings) to its followers, its grandeur has diminished over the past 2100 years.
• This decline is attributed to the increasing emphasis on outward rituals and rites, which became mechanical, causing the true spirit of meditation to be lost or transferred to other religious traditions.
• The author highlights the observations of medieval Jain seers like Mahayogi Anandaghana and his own masters, Srimad Rajchandraji and Yogindra Yugapradhan Sri Sahajanandaghanji, regarding this spiritual decline.

Jain Meditation's Influence and Similarities with Zen Buddhism:

• The book posits that Jain meditation's influence first spread to Buddhism, with even Lord Buddha potentially following the Jaina path initially.
• Evidence cited includes Buddhist Tripitakas and historical accounts, as well as a statue of Lord Parshwanatha found with a Big Buddha statue in Ajanta-Ellora.
• The author draws significant parallels between Jain meditation and Zen Buddhist practices like Zazen. These include:
  • The emphasis on a quiet environment, moderation in food and drink, and freedom from attachments.
  • The instruction to think of neither good nor evil and to judge not right or wrong.
  • The focus on maintaining a flow of mind and consciousness, bringing desires and concepts to an end.
  • The importance of "living in the moment" or "timelessness," which Lord Mahavira also stressed.
  • The goal of emptying the mind, reducing it to a state of "Zeroness" that is full of inner experience.
  • The cultivation of "mirror-like awareness."
  • The importance of stillness, tranquility, and introspection over intellectualization.

Key Concepts and Approaches in Jain Meditation:

• Namaskara Mahamantra (Navakar Mantra): This is presented as the soul-based prime factor in all Jain meditation. It is considered the key to achieving all forms of meditation and ultimately leads to the destruction of karma and attainment of Moksha (liberation).
• Dhyan-Yoga / Raja-Yoga: Jain meditation is identified as the essence of Jina Pravachana (the teachings of the Jinas) and the "kingly spiritual path."
• The Eternal Human Quest: The book acknowledges the universal human desire for peace, divinity, self-realization, bliss, and salvation through meditation.
• Misunderstandings of Meditation: The author criticizes the view of meditation as a miracle, a mystical confusion, a circus show, or a mere physical/mental exercise.
• Syadavada (Anekantavada): The lack of this Jain philosophical principle of multi-sidedness and conditional reality is identified as a significant obstacle to integrated meditation and its true attainment. It stresses that truths are not one-sided (e.g., not just eternal or non-eternal).
• Paridarshana: This is Jainism's unique approach to meditation, characterized by integrated, total, and all-sided observation of things and beings. It stems from the realization of the Self ("He who knows one, knows all").
• Apramad Yoga: This refers to total, integrated, all-sided, self-pointed awakening, full awareness, and uninterrupted continuous observation of the Self.
• Yogadrishtis: Jainism outlines eight "visions" or "insights" that develop within the seeker during meditation: Mitra, Tara, Bala, Dipta, Sthira, Kanta, Prabha, and Para.
• The Nature of the Soul (Atma): The book emphasizes understanding the soul as eternal, the doer and enjoyer of its actions, and the possibility of liberation and the means to achieve it through true Dharma.

Classification of Meditation (Four Types of Dhyana): The book details four types of contemplation:

1. Artta Dhyana (Grief/Painful Meditation): Inauspicious, resulting from separation from loved ones, association with the disliked, worries about illness, and sorrowful thinking. Leads to suffering.
2. Roudra Dhyana (Fiery/Cruel Meditation): Inauspicious, associated with violence, untruth, stealing, and cruel thoughts. Leads to suffering and degradation. These two are to be given up.
3. Dharma Dhyana (Virtuous/Auspicious Meditation): Beneficial, involving following the commands of the Omniscient, religious practices, contemplation of karma ripening, and introspection of one's own physique. Leads to prosperity and eventually salvation.
4. Shukla Dhyana (Pure/White Meditation): The highest, pure, conditionless, and limitless realization of the Self. It is the path to omniscience (Kevala Jnana).

Stages of Shukla Dhyana:

• Padastha: Concentration on sacred words/mantras like the Navakar Mahamantra, Omkara, Arham, Soham. It begins with gross sounds and moves to subtle ones, aiming for thoughtlessness.
• Pindastha: Meditation on the physical form of the Siddha/Arihanta or one's own body-form Atma.
• Roopastha: Meditation on the divine consciousness possessing the image or form of an Arihanta, or one's own purified and enlightened Self.
• Roopatita: Formless, thoughtless meditation on the Siddha Bhagawan or one's own purified Self, aiming for a state of bliss and non-existence of attachment and hatred.

Internal Voyage and Transformation:

• The process of Jain meditation is described as an internal voyage, leading from the ego ("Aham") to the state of omniscient beings ("Arham").
• This journey involves self-inquiry ("Koham? - Who am I?") leading to the realization of the true Self ("Soham - I am That").
• The ultimate goal is the transformation of the soul from "Jiva" to "Shiva" (Godhood) through sustained practice.

"Music for Meditation": The book also includes a section on "Music for Meditation," presented as an experimental effort to use music as a medium for meditation, sublimation, and self-realization. It aims to reduce tension, increase mental balance, and foster inner harmony by connecting the listener to the "sound-way" of the spirit, leading from audible sounds to the inner, inaudible sounds of the silent Self.

In essence, "Meditation & Jainism" is a scholarly and spiritual work that seeks to revive the understanding and practice of Jain meditation, presenting it as a profound and highly influential path to ultimate realization, deeply rooted in Jain philosophy and practice.