Traces of Mysticism in Jainism (Study)
by Sadhvi Madhystha Prabha | 2021 | 103,765 words
This page relates 鈥楾races of Mysticism in the Samavayanga鈥� of the study on the concept of Mysticism in Jainism exploring key concepts such as Jaina metaphysics and Jain ethics. The present research is divided into six chapters, beginning with an introduction to mysticism, examining its characteristics from both Western and Eastern perspectives. Subsequent chapters delve into the mystical aspects of Brahmanic and Shramanic literature, analyzing texts from the Shvetambara and Digambara traditions to unearth traces of Jain mysticism.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
2.4. Traces of Mysticism in the Samav膩y膩峁単a
[Full title: 2. Traces of Mysticism in Canoncial Literature (4) The Samav膩y膩峁単a]
The fourth 础峁単补 膧驳补尘补 厂补尘补惫腻辞 is a numerical text like that of 峁琱腻峁嘺峁�. It deals with facts of various subjects of Jainism from which one can trace out the mystical facts. In the very first chapter it quotes: 鈥�ege 膩y膩鈥�, 鈥�ege mokkha鈥�[1] This is a mystical expression of a mystic that implies that in spite of infinite beings having their independent existence they are accounted as one by enlightened mystic, for in pure state all souls are same as they all enjoys or are attributed as pure consciousness. The text designates the ideal mystics i.e, 罢墨谤迟丑补峁卥补谤补蝉 as 鈥�诲别惫腻诲丑颈诲别惫补鈥� (God of gods). Further it mentions about the 鈥�补迟颈艣补测补鈥� (supernatural powers)[2] of 罢墨谤迟丑补峁卥补谤补蝉[3] that are gained by spiritual practices. It also accounts the facts of 24 罢墨谤迟丑补峁卥补谤补蝉 that existed in recent time cycle such as their attainment of 办别惫补濒箩帽腻苍补, time devotion of the 办别惫补濒补箩帽腻苍补, their teachings, attainment of 辫补谤颈苍颈谤惫腻峁嘺, etc.[4] The text also list out the name of forth coming twenty-four 罢墨谤迟丑补峁卥补谤补蝉.[5]
It expounds the list of means and hurdles of self-realisation and liberation.[6] It explores the fact that a 鈥�bhavasiddhika鈥� (the one who can attain 尘辞办峁), can attain mystical state i.e., can become siddha, buddha, mukta and 辫补谤颈苍颈惫峁泃迟补 after one, two, three, four and so on life.[7] The text mentions the fourteen stages of spiritual development known as 鈥�箩墨惫补蝉迟丑腻苍补鈥� that an aspirant ascends for spiritual evolution.[8]
The text mentions the names of some relative mystical experiences such as鈥�
- 补惫补诲丑颈箩帽腻苍补 labdhi,[9]
- mana岣ary膩ya j帽膩na,[10]
- vaikriya labdhi[11] and
- caturda艣ap奴rva labdhi.[12]
The text also mentions the thirty-one 驳耻苍腻蝉 (qualities) of liberated souls that are attained simultaneously during the very first moment of liberation.[13]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
厂补尘补惫腻辞, 1.4.17.
[2]:
Ibid, 24.1
[3]:
Ibid, 34.1
[4]:
Ibid, preface, 22-24
[5]:
Ibid, 笔谤补办墨谤峁嘺办补, 248-251
[6]:
Ibid, preface, 31
[7]:
Ibid, preface, 30
[8]:
厂补尘补惫腻辞, 14.5
[9]:
Ibid, 39.1; 11.3
[10]:
Ibid, 82.2
[11]:
Ibid, 笔谤补办墨谤峁嘺办补, 66
[12]:
Ibid, 93.2
[13]:
Ibid, 笔谤补办墨谤峁嘺办补, 31.1