Jainism and Patanjali Yoga (Comparative Study)
by Deepak bagadia | 2016 | 109,819 words
This page relates ‘Five caritras (conduct)’ of the study dealing with the Spiritual Practices of Jainism and Patanjali Yoga in the context of ancient Indian Philosophy (in Sanskrit: Darshana), including extracts from the Yogasutra and the Tattvartha-Sutra. The system of Yoga offers techniques which are scientifically designed for the spiritual development of an individual. Jainism offers ethicical principles and meditation practices to assist with spiritual development.
Five caritras (conduct)
Five caritras[1] (conduct) are also included in these 57 ways of Samvara. These practices should be considered as steps towards liberation. They are Samayika, chedopasthapana, pariharavisuddhi, suksma-Samparaya and yathakhyatamiti. They are explained below:
a) Samayika: “sam” is equanimity and “ay” means incoming, Samayika is effort to cultivating equilibrium of mind throughout life.
b) Chhedopasthapana Caritra: After initiation and adoption of Samayika attitude, one has to live a life of an ascetic. There is a reinitiation in case of failure to keep the vow by taking to the vow again after penance. Jain monks stay in Samayika forever, for which they take vow known as Vadi-Diksa.
c) Pariharavisuddhi caritra: It is a stage of higher purification . One has to follow special types of penance as an ascetic. It involves adopting various hard postures.
d) Suksma-Samparaya-caritra: To live a life without any kasaya or afflictions or a subtle degree of defilement. Here, almost all types of defilements are overcome, except a few wholesome attachments. Those attachments can stay upto tenth stage of spiritual elevation.
e) Yathakhyata or Vitaraga caritra is the last, twelfth stage of spiritual elevation. It is a state of total detachment and dissociation of deluding karma and living a life of an Arihant.
More and more, we practice these virtues, faster we attain spiritual upliftment. The superior level of observance, the higher one rises on the ladder of spiritual elevation.