Jain philosophy
can be described in various ways, but the
most acceptable tradition is to describe
it in terms of:
BHAVANAS (Reflections or Thoughts)
Jain religion puts a significant
emphasis on the thought process ofa human
being. A person's behavior and his actions
are the reflection of his internal thoughts,
day in and day out. It is not the action
but intention behind the action results
in the accumulation of Karma.
One should be very careful about his thoughts,
how he thinks, and the subject matter of
his thought.
To make room for pure thoughts, and to drive
out the evil ones, Jainism recommends to
meditate the following twelve thoughts or
Bhavnas.
The twelve Bhavnas described here are the
subject matters of one's meditation, and
how to occupy one's mind with useful, religious,
beneficial, peaceful, harmless, spiritually
advancing, Karma preventing thoughts. They
cover a wide field of teachings of Jainism.
They are designed to serve as aids to spiritual
progress, produce detachment, and lead the
aspirants from the realm of desire to the
path of renunciation. They are reflections
upon the fundamental facts of life, intended
to develop purity of thought and sincerity
in the practice of religion.
The reflections are also called Anuprekshas,
longings, thoughts, aspirations, or Bhavnas.
Anitya Bhavna - Impermanence of the
world
Asarana Bhavna - No one provides protection
Samsara Bhavna - No permanent relationship
in universe
Ekatva Bhavna - Solitude of the soul
Anyatva Bhavna - Separateness
Asuci Bhavna - Impureness of the body
Asrava Bhavna - Influx of karma
Samvara Bhavna - Stoppage of influx
of karma
Nirjara Bhavna - Shedding of karma
Loka Bhavna - Transitory of universe
Bodhi-durlabha Bhavna - Unattainability
of right faith, knowledge, and conduct
Dharma Bhavna - Unattainability of true
preceptor, scriptures, and religion
1. Anitya Bhavna - Impermanence
of the world
Under this reflection, one thinks that in
this world every thing such as life, youth,
wealth, property, etc. are transient or
subject to alteration. Nothing in the universe
is permanent, even though the whole universe
is constant. Spiritual values are therefore
worth striving for as soul's ultimate freedom
and stability. This will help to break all
earthly attachments.
2. Asarana Bhavna - No
one provides protection
Under this reflection, one thinks that he
is helpless against death, old age, and
disease. The only way he can conquer death
and disease is by destroying all his karma.
The soul is his own savior, and to achieve
total freedom and enlightenment, one takes
refuge to the true path and to the five
best personalities. They are Arihanta, Siddha,
Acharya, Upadhyay and Sadhus. The refuge
to others are due to delusion, and must
be avoided.
3. Samsara Bhavna - No
permanent relationship in universe
Under this reflection, one thinks that the
soul transmigrates from one life to the
other in any of the four forms, human, animal,
hellish, and heavenly. The continual cycle
of birth, life, and death is full of pain
and miseries, and has not yet ended. There
are no permanent worldly relations like
father, mother, friend, foe, etc. It is
we who establish these relations and live
accordingly. This kind of thought will help
minimize or stop any attachments to anybody,
other living beings, or objects. The soul
must achieve ultimate freedom from it, which
is liberation or Moksha.
4. Ekatva Bhavna - Solitude
of the soul
Under this reflection, one thinks that the
soul is solitaire, and lonely in existence.
The soul assumes birth alone, and departs
alone from the life form. The soul is responsible
for its own actions and karmas. The soul
will enjoy the fruits, and suffer bad consequences
of its own action alone. Such thoughts will
stimulate his efforts to get rid of karmas
by his own initiative and will lead religious
life.
5. Anyatva Bhavna - Separateness
Under this reflection, one thinks that soul
is separate from any other objects or living
beings of the world. Even his body is not
his. At the time of death, soul leaves the
body behind. The body is matter, while the
soul is all consciousness.
The soul therefore should not develop attachment
for worldly objects, and other living beings.
He should not allow himself to be controlled
by desires, greed, and urges of the body.
6. Asuci Bhavna - Impureness
of the body
Under this reflection, one thinks about
the constituent element of one's body. It
is made of impure things like blood, bones,
flesh, etc. It also generates impure things
like perspiration, urine, stool, etc.
The soul, which resides within the body,
is unattached to the body. It is alone and
pure. The body ultimately becomes nonexistent,
but the soul is eternal. Therefore emotional
attachments to the body is useless.
7. Asrava Bhavna - Influx
of karma
Under this reflection, one thinks about
karma streaming into the soul. Every time
he enjoys or suffers through the senses
(touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing)
he makes his karma increase.
This thought will make him more careful,
and will try to stop the influx of karmas.
8. Samvara Bhavna - Stoppage
of influx of karma
Under this reflection, one thinks about
stopping evil thoughts, and becomes absorbed
in achieving spiritual knowledge, meditation,
etc. This prevents the influx of karma.
9. Nirjara Bhavna - Shedding
of karma
Under this reflection, one thinks about
the evil consequences of karma, and striving
to destroy the previously acquired karma
by austerity and meditation.
10. Loka Bhavna - Transitory
of universe
Under this reflection, one thinks about
the real nature of this universe. Judging
from the standpoint of substance, it is
eternal but from the standpoint of modification
it is transitory.
Thus all objects of the world come into
existence and perish. This thought makes
him understand the true nature of reality,
which is necessary for right knowledge.
11. Bodhi-durlabha Bhavna
Unattainability of right faith, knowledge,
and conduct Under this reflection, one thinks
that it is very difficult for the transmigrating
soul to acquire right faith, right knowledge,
and right conduct in this world. Therefore,
when one's has the opportunity to be a religious
person, take the advantage of it to develop
right religious talent. This thought will
strengthen one's effort to attain them,
and live accordingly
12. Dharma Bhavna
Unattainability of true preceptor, scriptures,
and religion Under this reflection, one
thinks that the true preceptor, scriptures,
and religion are excellent shelters in this
world full of agony. All other things lead
to misery and suffering.
Four Bhavnas or Virtues
Besides the twelve Bhavnas described above
Jainism has laid great importance on the
following four Bhavnas or virtues. They
are mentioned here for clarification.
Amity, love, and friendship - Maitri
Appreciation, respect and joy - Pramoda
Compassion - Karuna
Equanimity and tolerance - Madhyastha
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