Preksha meditation: History and Methods
by Samani Pratibha Pragya | 2016 | 111,074 words
This page relates 鈥極ther Pre-Preksha Camps by Mahaprajna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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4.11. Other Pre-笔谤别办峁Ｄ� Camps by Mah膩praj帽a
[Full title: The Development of 笔谤别办峁Ｄ�-顿丑测腻苍补 between 1944鈥�1975 (11) Other Pre-笔谤别办峁Ｄ� Camps by Mah膩praj帽a]
艢颈惫颈谤补 (camps) with mass gatherings for 补峁嘘惫谤补迟墨蝉 began to take place in 1966, named as 补峁嘘惫谤补迟补 蝉腻诲丑补苍腻 艣颈惫颈谤补.[1] Alter describes 艣颈惫颈谤补 as a term derived from Sanskrit and is most often translated as 鈥榗amp鈥�. It is used to refer to events that combine lectures, demonstrations, and group participation to promote yoga and other 鈥渃ultural traditions鈥� (Alter, 2004: 37). 罢耻濒补蝉墨 discussed at length the first camp of meditation among the intellectuals.
Prior to the launch of 辫谤别办峁Ｄ�-诲丑测腻苍补, a 21-day camp was organised on 23rd March 1966 at the Spiritual Realisation Centre (础诲丑测腻迟尘腻 厂腻诲丑补苍腻 Kendra) in Delhi. This camp stood distinct from all the 艣颈惫颈谤补s previously held, in respect to both time and technique. In this 艣颈惫颈谤补, besides morality, a good deal of discussion was held on spirituality, and some yoga meditation exercises were also performed. During this programme of spiritual 鈥榗hurning鈥� (manthana), there were many people present who were highly interested in spirituality.
罢耻濒补蝉墨 notes the important people who were part of this camp:
Notable among these participants were Mor膩ra-j墨 叠丑腻颈 Des膩墨 (a former prime minister of India), 艢rimann膩r膩ya峁嘺, D膩d膩 顿丑补谤尘腻诲丑颈办腻谤颈, Gopin膩tha Amana, Jainendra 碍耻尘腻谤补 (a literary figure), Haribh膩u 鲍辫腻诲丑测腻测补 (a famous Gandhian), Kha峁囜笉ubh膩墨 Des膩i, Ya艣ap膩la Jain, Devendra 碍耻尘腻谤补 骋耻辫迟腻, 艢膩hu 艢膩ntipras膩da Jain, Harivan艣ar膩ya Baccana (a famous poet). Since at that time I was not in Delhi, I was not present at this 艣颈惫颈谤补. However, in close proximity with, and under the direction of, Muni Nathamala (Mah膩praj帽a) good work was accomplished there. In a way this camp became a meeting point of spiritual and moral ideologies. Referring to this fact, 艢rimann膩r膩ya峁嘺 said at that time, 鈥業t appears to me that this 蝉腻诲丑补苍腻-site will become a centre from which rays of spirituality will transmit light to all the people of the world鈥� (罢耻濒补蝉墨, 2002b: 116鈥�7).
Later, the 补峁嘘惫谤补迟补 蝉腻诲丑补苍腻 艣颈惫颈谤补 were conducted for the wider population and some were exclusively conducted for school students. With the development of meditational and yogic activities at the 蝉补峁単丑补 level, and later after the launch of 辫谤别办峁Ｄ乨丑测腻苍补 meditation, 艣颈惫颈谤补 replaced 补峁嘘惫谤补迟补 蝉腻诲丑补苍腻 艣颈惫颈谤补. Even today we can see 补峁嘘惫谤补迟补 as a part of all 辫谤别办峁Ｄ�-诲丑测腻苍补 camps.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
This stands for residential retreats for the spiritual training of 补峁嘘惫谤补迟补.