Part 12 - Similarities and differences of both the Philosophies in Nutshell

[Full title: Similarities and Differences of both Philosophies (of Patanjali Yoga and Jainism) in Nutshell]

1. According to Indian Philosophy, Yoga is a Astika-darsana, where as Jainism is Nastika-darsana.

2. Jainism is broadly considered as a religion, Yoga is a spiritual science

3. Patanjala yoga believes in Isvara whereas there is no existence of Isvara in the form of creator of this universe according to Jainism.

4. Pranayama is one of the most important limb of Astangayoga for progress towards higher and inner Yogic journey, which is not there in original scriptures of Jainism

5. Both the philosophies Yoga and Jainism are experimental and experiencial sciences.

6. Practice and implementation of it based on philosophy is must in both.

7. Same three valid means of acquiring knowledge (Pramanas) in both philoso-phies namely Pratyaksa, Anumana and Agama, but understanding is different.

8. Setting up of good conduct through Yama in Yoga and Vrata in Jainism is es sential in both philosophies for spiritual pregress.

9. As a result of spiritual upliftment, many similar and different achievements are mentioned in both darsana as Siddhis in Yoga and Labdhis in Jainism. Both have warned that they are hurdles on spiritual path and should be taken only to enhance confidence. (According to Patanjali Yoga Sutra-3/37 and Dashavaikalika-sutra-9/2/22, Uttaradhyayana-sutra-35/18, 6/16).

10. Though meditation is the most essential and important step in both these philosophies for upward movement of consciousness from gross to subtle, many other different preparative stages are described for purification, training and perfection of body-mind complex. Meditation accelerates the process of evolution of consciousness. Out of five stages of spiritual evolution as mentioned by Jain scholars Shri Haribhadrasuri and added by Shri Hemchandracarya, the details of first four stages, namely adhyātma (spirituality), bhāvanā (attitude), dhyāna (meditation) and samādhi (spiritual absorption) are similar and comparable to Patanjali’s stages of vitarka, vicara, ananda, asmita of Samprajnata Samadhi. Also, the fifth one vṛttisaṃśaya (complete detachment) of Jainism is comparable to Asamprajnata Samadhi.

11. Asamklista bhavanas mentioned in Jain Agama (Atmanbhavana of Acaramgasutra) are of five types. They are comparable with five klista vrttis of Yoga, as one should minimise and get rid of them.

12. In both Yoga and Jainism, the journey of a common man has begun with actions and attachments (karma), afflictions (kleśa) followed by propensities (vāsanā) to bring impurities in citta. Meditational practices bring him out of this vicious cycle and take towards spirituality. As he reaches the final stage of spiritual progress in both the cases, i.e. dharmamegha samadhi in Yoga and 13^th and 14^th state of Gunasthanakas in Jainism (sayogi and ayogi kevali), you get completely free from Klesas-karma^[1].

Following table indicates similarities and differences in spiritual practices and related aspects in Yoga Philosophy and Jainism:

[Table showing comparison of spiritual practices in Jainism and Yoga]

Purpose/ Topic	Reference: Yoga / Jainism	Spiritual Practice in Yoga	Spiritual Practice in Jainism
Aim of Practices. Descriptions	Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Vyasabhasya, Tattvartha-sutra	Control of cittavrtti More of philosophy (vicara) than actual practices	Control and conquering self, mind and senses. More of practices (acaras)
Ultimate Goal	As above	Samadhi followed by kaivalya. Isolation of purusa from prakrti achieved through astangayoga and other practices	Kaivalya followed by moksa. Achieved through meditative practices under triratna—samyagdarśanajñānacāritrāṇi mokṣamārgaḥ (Tattvartha-sutra 1.1)
Varieties of Practices for different categories of sadhakas	As above + Vyasabhashya	Different levels of sadhana suggested for different levels of aspirants.	Separate standards/levels: grhasthadharma and sadhu-dharma (pravṛttimārga-nivṛttimārga or śrāvakācāra-śramaṇācāra)
pramana: means of Acquiring knowledge	Yogasutra + Vyasabhasya Tattvartha-sutra	1) pratyaksa: direct perception through senses, 2) Anumana and 3) agama (Inference & Testimony)	Knowledge through senses & mind is indirect (paroksa): mati and sruti 1) Direct/ pratyaksa through soul: avadhi, manahparyaya, keval 2) and 3) are same
Prime Obstacle and Remedy	As above	avidya / Pancaklesas Remedy: kriya-yoga	mithyattva / mithyadrsti samyaktva / samyakdrsti
Social & Self discipline	As above	yama / niyama svadhyaya as important anga	anu / mahavrtta, gunavrtta for self discipline, svadhyaya as part of samyak darsana
Practices at Physical level	As above + Uttaradhyana	Physical stability with asana. Patanjali has defined posture	It starts with Sthana/ postures. Few practices for kayaklesa,
	and Thanamga sutra	and procedure, but no names.	kayotsarga, godhuli mudra are mentioned in Agamas
Breathing practices	Patanjali Yoga Sutra Avasyaka sutra	Pranayama is breaking the flow of inhalation -exhalation	Regulation of breath is not strongly recommended, Japa in coordination with breath is referred
Internal practices	Patanjali Yoga Sutra Tattvartha-sutra	Starts with dharana: First step of antarangayoga, binding mind on an object	ekagramanah Sannivesana: salambana dhyana-focusing mind
Subtler practices	As above	Meditation, samadhi after dharana dhyana stage	dhyana here is a broader term than antarangayoga
ekagrata = Focus	As above	samprajnata samadhi	First two stages of sukladhyana: 1 & 2
niruddha state ultimate	As above	asamprajnata samadhi	Sukladhyana stages: 3 & 4
Sequence of Spiritual journey	Patanjali Yoga Sutra and Tattvathasutra	Tarakajnana-vivekakhyati– asamprajnata samadhi -kaivalya	Samyak darsana– svasamvedamjnana–samyak caritra–kevalajnana
Concept of Diet	As above	No direct mention for food	Anasana, Avamaudarya or Unodari i.e. fasting and restricted food: external tapa
Concept of Spiritual progress / States	Patanjali Yoga Sutra and Tattvathasutra + Samavayanga sutta	First know Manifested (vyakta) and unmanifested (avyakta) elements. Gradual Progress from vyuthita citta to nirbija samadhi, dharmameghasamadhi and to kaivalya	First get knowledge of jiva -ajiva of Jain traditions as samyak darsana. Fourteen gunavrttas / jiva sthanaka of adhyatmika vikasa taking to kaivalya.
Causes of Influx of karma	Yogasutra + bhasya Tattvathasutra	Klesas, cittavrttis (mental modifications) resulting into actions	yoga (activities of Body, mind and speech)
Causes of bandha or bondages. Remedies:	Yogasutra + bhasya Tattvathasutra	avidya, asmita, raga, dvesa, abhnivesa (klesa) kriyayoga	mithyattva, avirati, pramada, kasaya and yoga. anekantavada to handle abhinivesa/ klesanivrtti.
Means of stoppage	Yogasutra +	Abhyasa & vairagya.	samvara: gupti, samiti, dharma,
of karma-Influx	bhasya Tattvathasutra	antarangayoga	anupreksa, parisah-jaya, caritra
Means of anhilition of karma	Patanjali Yoga Sutra (4.7) and Tattvartha-sutra	A true Yogi gets rid of both merits and demerits Abhyasa-Vairagya, Kriyayoga, Astamga-Yoga and Pratiprasava of gunas: depends on level of aspirant	A true aspirant gets rid of Pap-punya both at the end. Tri-ratna: Samyak darsana -jnana-caritra. Nirjara
Vibhutis or siddhis v/s riddhis / labdhis	Patanjali Yoga Sutra (4.1) sthanamgsutra(2 /2),Prajnapana (6/144), aupapatika(24)	Obtained by birth, Medicines, mantra, japa-tapa.	devariddhi by birth, rajya-riddhi by various efforts, gani-riddhi by tapa. 24-64 riddhis in various agamas & other post-agama scriptures
Attainment of pure form of self involves	Patanjali Yoga Sutra and Tattvathasutra	gradual upward transformation by cittavritti nirodha	Transformation by total Anhilition of karma
Supreme authority	Patanjali Yoga Sutra and Tattvathasutra	Isvara-purusavisesa	arihanta, tirthankara
Attitude or Atmabhavana	Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Acharangasutta -II.	klista and aklista vrttis	samklista and asamklista bhavana
Approach to liberation (Broad)	Yogasutra + bhasya Tattvathasutra	All are eligible for Kaivalya irrespective of caste and religion	All, non-Jaina also can attain siddha-liberated state (Sthanangasutta 1/214-22)
heya, heyahetu, hana, hanopaya	Yogasutra + bhasya Tattvathasutra	samsara, samsarahetu, moksa, moksopaya	bandha, asrava, moksa, nirjara

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

tataḥ kleśakarmanivṛttiḥ || Patanjali Yoga Sutra, 4.30