Jain meditation, while possessing its unique characteristics and goals, has not developed in isolation. Throughout its long history, Jainism has been influenced by and has, in turn, influenced other Indian religions and philosophical traditions. This interplay is evident in the shared concepts, practices, and even textual influences that can be observed between Jainism, Yoga, Samkhya, Buddhism, and Advaita Vedanta. Understanding these interconnections
provides a broader perspective on the rich tapestry of meditative thought in India.
Shared Concepts with Yoga and Samkhya
During the canonical age of Jainism, from the 5th century BCE to the 5th century CE, there were strong parallels between Jaina yoga and the eight limbs of Patanjali Yoga. Many concepts, including yamas (ethical disciplines) and niyamas (rules), found resonance in both traditions, often under different names. Sagarmal Jain notes that during this period, the yoga systems of Jainism, Buddhism, and Patanjali Yoga shared many similarities. For instance, the Jain practice of Kayotsarga, or "giving up the body," which involves standing motionless to achieve tranquility and purity of mind, is compared to the last three stages of Patanjali's eight-limb yoga: dharana (one-pointedness of mind), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (absorption).
The Digambara tradition within Jainism developed meditative practices centered on the distinction between the "self" (atman) and the "other" (body). This dualistic approach bears a resemblance to the Samkhya philosophy's purusha-prakriti dualism, which distinguishes between pure consciousness (purusha) and nature (prakriti). Writings attributed to Kundakunda, dating from approximately 450 to 1150 CE, show clear influences from Samkhya, as well as Mahayana Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta. These texts highlight a distinction between the ultimate perspective (nishcayanaya) and the mundane perspective (vyavaharanaya), or between the pure atman and the material world, a recognition known as bhed-jnan or bheda-vijnana.
Influences from and on Buddhist and Advaita Vedanta Thought
The texts attributed to Kundakunda, which incorporated Samkhya, Buddhist, and Advaita Vedanta influences, were particularly significant in shaping the Digambara mystical tradition. This tradition focused on the direct realization of the pure soul's ultimate perspective. Kundakunda's emphasis on liberating knowledge became a mainstream view in Digambara Jainism and inspired later figures like Shrimad Rajchandra and Kanji Swami.
Furthermore, the 8th-century Jain philosopher Haribhadra explicitly assimilated many elements from Patanjali's Yoga-sutra into his own unique system of Jain yoga, as detailed in his work, the Yogadrstisamuccaya. This demonstrates a conscious effort to integrate and adapt practices from other traditions into a Jain framework. While Jainism maintained its distinct identity, its meditative practices and philosophical underpinnings were part of a broader intellectual and spiritual exchange that characterized ancient and medieval Indian thought, leading to a rich cross-pollination of ideas and techniques across various spiritual paths.
