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Kayotsarga

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Kayotsarga

Kayotsarga (Sanskrit: कायोत्सर्ग Kāyōtsarga, Magadhi Prakrit: काउस्सग्ग Kāussagga) is a yogic posture which is an important part of the Jain meditation. It literally means "dismissing the body". A tirthankara is represented either seated in yoga posture or standing in the kayotsarga posture. Kayotsarga means "to give up one's physical comfort and body movements", thus staying steady, either in a standing or other posture, and concentrating upon the true nature of the soul. It is one of the six essentials (avasyaka) of a Jain ascetic and one of the 28 primary attributes of a Digambara monk

Twenty-one of the tīrthankaras of Jainism are said to have attained moksha in the kayotsarga “standing meditation” posture. A famous example of unflinching standing meditation is that of Arihant Bahubali who is said to have stood in kayotsarga for a year.

Sāmayika

In performing sāmayika (daily meditation), the śrāvaka has to stand facing north or east and bow to the Pañca-Parameṣṭhi. He then sit down and recites the Namokara mantra a certain number of times, and finally devotes himself to holy meditation. This consists in:

  • pratikramana, recounting the sins committed and repenting for them,
  • pratyākhyanā, resolving to avoid particular sins in future,
  • sāmayika karma, renunciation of personal attachments, and the cultivation of a feeling of regarding every body and thing alike,
  • stuti, praising the four and twenty Tīrthankaras,
  • vandanā, devotion to a particular Tirthankara, and
  • kāyotsarga, withdrawal of attention from the body (physical personality) and becoming absorbed in the contemplation of the spiritual Self.
  • References

    Kayotsarga Wikipedia