AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF MEDITATION IN JAIN PHILOSOPHY
International Journal of Management, IT and Engineering January 1, 2018 Yash Deep Singh
In Jain philosophy, the purity of the leshya (a subtle psycho-physical energy) determines whether consciousness rises or falls; impurity leads to degradation. Meditation is a key method for purifying the leshya, alongside practices like self-study and penance. Lord Mahavir's life exemplified meditation and penance, and he is praised as the best meditator in Jain scriptures. Although Jain Agama texts do not discuss meditation in detail, scattered references appear, and an independent book on meditation, Dhyana-Vibhakti, is mentioned but lost. Meditation is essential for attaining knowledge, including the vast knowledge of the fourteen Purvas, which can be reflected in a short time through special meditative states.