Preksha meditation: History and Methods
by Samani Pratibha Pragya | 2016 | 111,074 words
This page relates 鈥楥onclusion of chapter 3鈥� of study dealing with Preksha-Dhyana: a meditation technique created by Acharya Shri Mahapragya (Acarya Mahaprajna) in the late twentieth century. It synthesizes ancient Jain ascetic methods, ritualistic practices, and modern scientific insights, appealing to a global audience. The thesis explores its historical context, theoretical foundations, and the rise of contemporary Jain meditation systems.
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10. Conclusion of chapter 3
In summary, 辫谤别办峁Ｄ�-诲丑测腻苍补 represents a new development in the history of Jaina meditation, as I have shown. Mah膩praj帽a investigated Jaina canonical and classical texts, narratives, rituals, institutions and ideologies in a highly specific context. Before 辫谤别办峁Ｄ伝宄蟛饽宀圆� came into existence, many camps were organised in the presence of 罢耻濒补蝉墨 by Mah膩praj帽a who worked to create a specifically modern form of Jaina meditation. After three decades of practice, study and experience, he produced seminal material on the subject, including the key texts on 辫谤别办峁Ｄ�-诲丑测腻苍补.[1] In 1975, 辫谤别办峁Ｄ�-诲丑测腻苍补 was launched officially in Jaipur.
Between the time of 叠丑颈办峁 up to 搁腻测补肠补苍诲补 (1790鈥�1851), there is no written record of lay or ascetic meditation except ritualistic 办腻测辞迟蝉补谤驳补 meditation and 腻迟腻辫补苍腻. However, Jay膩c膩rya contributed three compositions on meditation. His system of meditation, nonetheless, remained confined largely to mendicants. Mah膩praj帽a acknowledged that some aspects of Jay膩c膩rya鈥檚 meditation paved the way as a seed to develop modern 辫谤别办峁Ｄ�-诲丑测腻苍补.
The impact of 惫颈辫补蝉蝉补苍腻 and Goenk膩鈥檚 training comes during the very last phase of the development of 辫谤别办峁Ｄ�-诲丑测腻苍补. Mah膩praj帽a started meditation at an early age, as I have shown, and his quest to trace the practices of 惭补丑腻惫墨谤补 through canonical literature and then experience them through his own practices paved the way, as I have also demonstrated, for the formation and development of the 辫谤别办峁Ｄ� method under 罢耻濒补蝉墨鈥漵 guidance and encouragement. The numerous efforts and camps by 罢耻濒补蝉墨 and Mah膩praj帽a are evidence for the developmental history of 辫谤别办峁Ｄ�-诲丑测腻苍补.
Later, as 辫谤别办峁Ｄ�-诲丑测腻苍补 evolved, Mah膩praj帽a introduced it to the laity and ensured this meditational practice remained open to all. 笔谤别办峁Ｄ�-诲丑测腻苍补, albeit a newly constructed technique, is rooted in an ancient Jaina tradition and continues to be an important part of its religious tradition. As in the case with other religions, Mah膩praj帽a, too, connected this practice to 惭补丑腻惫墨谤补, and to the scriptural authority of canonical and classical literature, as a way of granting it authority and legitimacy. Further, a non-sectarian outlook was promoted, coupled with an emphasis on contemporary and scientific relevance.
The next chapter examines the processes by which Mah膩praj帽a attempted to translate the meditational practices of 惭补丑腻惫墨谤补 and later practitioners, details of which remain unknown, into an explicit detailed technique. More specifically, it will assess how the processes in question here connect to his modernising endeavours, involving a focus on the modern context in which a scientific basis became a major concern.