Traces of Mysticism in Jainism (Study)

by Sadhvi Madhystha Prabha | 2021 | 103,765 words

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Summary: This essay studies the concept of Mysticism in Jainism which is often overlooked compared to mystical traditions in other major religions. The present research is divided into six chapters, beginning with an introduction to mysticism, examining its definitions and characteristics from both Western and Eastern perspectives, and investigating how these relate to Jainism. Subsequent chapters delve into the mystical aspects of Brahmanic and Shramanic literature, analyzing texts from the Shvetambara and Digambara traditions to unearth traces of Jaina mysticism.

The thesis further examines key Jaina concepts and their metaphysical and ethical ties to mysticism, comparing them to other mystical philosophies. It also studies mysticism's relationship with physical and mental states, such as possessing supernatural powers, and considers the obstacles to and supports for mystical attainment. The work includes a comparative study of Jaina mysticism with views from modern scholars and concludes with insights and new findings, providing a comprehensive examination of mysticism's role in Jain philosophy.

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Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Traces of Mysticism in Jainism (Study) in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Introduction (Views on Jaina Mysticism)

Review of Literature

Acknowledgement

+ Chapter 1 - Introduction to Mysticism

. 1. Introduction to Mysticism

. 2. Nature of Mysticism

. 3. Definition of Mysticism

. 4.1. Historical Explaination of Mysticism in Indian Tradition

. 4.2. Western Mysticism

. 5. Characteristics of Mystical Experience

. 6. Mystic Way

. 7. Mystic and Its Features

. 8. Types of Mysticism

. 9. Mysticism and its Relation with Other Fields

+ Chapter 2 - Mysticism in Brāhamaṇic Literature

. 1. Introduction (Mysticism in India)

. 2. Introduction to Brāhamaṇic Literature

. 3.1. Mystical Creation in Veda

. 3.2. Mystical Creation in Upaniṣad

. 3.3. Mystical Creation in Bhagavad Gītā

. 4.1. Concept of God in the Veda

. 4.2. Concept of God in Upaniṣads

. 4.3. Concept of God in Bhagavad Gītā

. 5.1. Mystical Path in Veda

. 5.2. Mystical Path in Upaniṣad

. 5.3. Mystical Path in Bhagavad Gītā

. 6. Conclusion

+ Chapter 3 - Mysticism in Śramaṇic Literature

. 1. Introduction (The Jain religion)

. 2.1. Traces of Mysticism in the Ācārāṅga

. 2.2. Traces of Mysticism in the Sthānāṅga

. 2.3. Traces of Mysticism in the Sūtrakṛtāṅga

. 2.4. Traces of Mysticism in the Samavāyāṅga

. 2.5. Traces of Mysticism in the Bhagavaī (Bhagavatī Sūtra)

. 2.6. Traces of Mysticism in other Aṅga Āgama

. 2.7. Traces of Mysticism in the Dasavekālika Sūtra

. 2.8. Traces of Mysticism in the Uttarādhyayana Sūtra

. 3.1. Mysticism in the Works of Ācārya Kundakunda

. 3.2. Mysticism in the Works of Ācārya Pūjyapāda

. 3.3. Mysticism in the Works of Ācārya Yogindudeva

. 3.4. Mysticism in the Works of Ācārya Yaśovijaya

+ Chapter 4 - Concepts of Jainism and Mysticism

. Nine Tattvas (1): The concept of Jīva (spiritual entity)

. Nine Tattvas (2): The concept of Ajīva (non-soul)

. Nine Tattvas (3-4): The concepts of Puṇya and Pāpa

. Nine Tattvas (5): The concept of Āsrava (inflow)

. Nine Tattvas (6): The concept of Saṃvara (inhibition)

. Nine Tattvas (7): The concept of Nirjarā (separation)

. Nine Tattvas (8): The concept of Bandha (Bondage)

. Nine Tattvas (9): The concept of Mokṣa (Liberation)

. The Three Jewels

. Three States of Soul

. Guṇasthāna (fourteen stages of spiritual progress)

. The concept of Dhyāna (Meditation)—Introduction

. Dharma Dhyāna and Its Types

. Śukla Dhyāna and its Types

. Significance of Dhyāna in Context of Mysticism

. Epistemology (Jñāna)—Introduction

. Avadhi-jñāna (Clairvoyance)

. Manaḥparyāya-jñāna (Mind Reading)

. Kevala-jñāna (Omniscience)

+ Chapter 5 - Mysticism at the level of Body and Mind

. 1. Introduction (spirituality and supernatural powers)

. 2. Meaning and Definition (of supernatural powers)

. 3. Definition of Labdhi (in Various Texts)

. 4. Nature of Labdhi

. 5. Types of Labdhi (Introduction)

. 5.1. Spiritual Labdhi (attainments)

. 5.2. Mental Labdhi (attainments)

. 5.3. Physical Labdhi (attainments)

. 5.4. Other Types of Labdhi (attainments)

. 6. Labdhi: Obstacle or Supportive

. 7. Who Can Attain Labdhi (supernatural powers)?

. 8. Are Labdhis Obtained Today?

. 9. Conclusion

+ Chapter 6 - Direct and indirect views on Jaina Mysticism

. 1. Introduction

. Jain Scholars (1) A. N. Upadhye

. Jain Scholars (2) T. K. Tukol

. Jain Scholars (3) K. C Sogani

. Indian Scholars (1) R. D. Ranade

. Indian Scholars (2) S. Radhakrishnan

. Western Scholars (1) Evelyn Underhill

. Western Scholars (2) W. T. Stace

+ Chapter 7 - Conclusion

. 1. Mysticism in Jainism

. 2. Mystical Path and Mystical Process

. 3. Relation of Metaphysics and Ethics with Mysticism

. 4. Labdhi and Mysticism

. 5. Types of Mystics

. 6. Structure of Jaina Mysticism

. 7. Universal Laws Related to Mystical Attainment

. 8. Sources of Mysticism in Jaina Āgama

. 9. Brāhmaṇic and Śramaṇic Tradition

. 10. Social Implication of Jaina Mysticism

. 11. Conclusion

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Last Updated: 03 January, 2025

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