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BHAVANA (REFLECTIONS) Chapter 27 - Bhävanä (Reflections)
Jain religion puts a significant emphasis on the thought process of a human being. A person's behavior and his actions are the reflection of his internal thoughts. It is not only the action but also intention behind the action results in the accumulation of Karma. Hence, one should be very careful about his thoughts, and the subject matter of his thought.
To make room for pure thoughts, and to drive out the evil ones, Jainism recommends reflecting or meditating on the twelve thoughts known as the Twelve Bhävanä (Anuprekshä), or Reflections. The Twelve Bhävanäs cover a wide field in Jainism. They are designed to serve as an aid to spiritual progress leading to the path of renunciation. They are reflections upon the fundamental facts of life. They stop entry of new karmas as well as eradicate old karmas while one is engaged in these reflections. The followings are main twelve Bhävanäs or Contemplation
Twelve Main Bhävanäs
Anitya Bhävanä: Impermanence All external substances including the body are transitory (Anitya). They are perishable and therefore, we should not have attachment for them.
Asharan Bhävanä: Helplessness Human beings are experiencing tremendous agitation. When death occurs and the soul has to leave the body there is no one who can save a Jiv who is helpless. Wealth, family etc. have to be given up at such a time. No worldly things can provide refuge so why should we depend upon them.
Sansär Bhävanä: Cycle of life and death In the cycle of Sansär, i.e. birth and death, mother can become wife; wife can become mother, and an enemy can become a friend; etc. How futile is the world? We should not have any attachment for it.
Ekatva Bhävanä: Solitariness "I am alone, I was born alone, I will die alone, I am sick alone, I have to suffer alone, I have to experience the karmas, which I have acquired alone." Therefore, one should be cautious and keep away from attachment and hatred.
Anyatva Bhävanä: Otherness of the body "This body is transitory and it is different from me. I am the soul, which is not perishable. The body is perishable and wealth and family are not mine. They are different from me, therefore, I discard attachment for all these things."
Ashuchi Bhävanä: Impurity of body "This body is made up of impure substances. Impure substances are nourishing it. I will discard my attachments for this body and engage myself in self-discipline, renunciation, and spiritual endeavors."
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE I
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