Alternative spellings of this word include Samsthanavichaya.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Saṃsthānavicaya (संस्थानविचय) refers to the meditation “on the form of the universe without beginning and without end”, according to chapter 2.2 [ajitanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly: “[...] That is ‘saṃsthānavicaya’ in which one meditates on the form of the universe without beginning and without end, with the characteristics of permanence, origination, and perishing. The universe, in the shape of a man standing in the vaiśākha-position with his hands on his hips; filled with substance having the characteristics of permanence, origination, perishing; at the bottom resembling a cane-stand, in the middle of a jhallarī, and at the top a muraja, is composed as follows: [...]”.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 6: Influx of karmas

Saṃsthānavicaya (संस्थानविचय).—One of the four types of virtuous (dharmya) meditation.—What is meant by ‘contemplation of objects of structure of the universe’ (saṃsthānavicaya)? To contemplate on the form, size and the constituents of the universe is called contemplation of objects of structure of the universe.

How many types of ‘contemplation on objects of structure of the universe’ (saṃsthānavicaya) are there?

It is of four types namely:

1. contemplation on the body (piṇḍastha),
2. contemplation on the word / aphorism (padastha),
3. contemplation on a form (rūpastha),
4. contemplation on formless self (rūpātīta).

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Languages of India and abroad

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Saṃsthānavicaya (ಸಂಸ್ಥಾನವಿಚಯ):—[noun] (jain.) one of the four kinds of meditations, in which effort is made to understand the physical aspects of the worlds, different stages, states or conditions of the beings therein, etc.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Samsthana, Vicaya.

Full-text: Pavana, Rupatita, Dharmya, Dharmyadhyana, Tatvarupavati, Rupastha, Jala, Padastha, Pindastha, Parthivi, Agneyi.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Samsthanavicaya, Saṃsthānavicaya, Samsthana-vicaya, Saṃsthāna-vicaya; (plurals include: Samsthanavicayas, Saṃsthānavicayas, vicayas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary) (by Vijay K. Jain)

Verse 9.36 - The four kinds of virtuous meditation (dharmya-dhyāna) < [Chapter 9 - Stoppage and Shedding of Karmas]

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Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Part 16: The eight karmas < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]

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