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11. Bodhidurlabh Bhavana (Rarity of Enlightenment)
To contemplate on the reality that how difficult it is to get human birth, good education, virtuous company, etc. Even when one has gained these, one may still find it very difficult to acquire right vision for the truth. One must contemplate on how difficult it is to attain the Jain Dharma. Soul wanders aimlessly in four destinies and spends least amount of time as human. Only as a human, one can attain liberation. Therefore, there should not be even the slightest negligence in observing the religion propounded by the Jina. Thus, to contemplate on the rarity of attainment of vision for pure truth is called Bodhidurlabh Bhävanä.
12. Dharma Bhävanä (Religion)
"Arihanta Bhagawän, the omniscient, has expounded an excellent Shruta Dharma and Chäritra Dharma. How highly fortunate it is that Dharma full of doing good to the entire mass of living beings has been preached by the virtuous personages. I will engage myself in that Dharma." One should carry out such contemplation repeatedly. Dharma includes philosophy, religion, theory and practice of good life, ascetic culture and ethical behavior. Liberation of the soul from all impurities is the ultimate aim of Dharma or religious culture. Dharma is that which takes on the cherished goal of liberation. It destroys karma, rescues beings from miseries and upholds them in excellent behavior.
A constant reminder of these twelve Bhävanäs mitigates our pangs of pains and expands our understanding of life's problems and even the uncomfortable situations of life do not appear burdensome. Four Compassionate Bhävanäs (Compassionate Reflection)
There are four compassionate Bhävanäs sometimes known as auxiliary Bhävanäs. They represent the positive means of supporting the Five Vows. They are intended to develop purity of thought and sincerity in the practice of religion. They play a very important role in the day-to-day life of a householder and these reflections can be practiced very easily. Adopting these Bhävanäs in daily life can make a person very virtuous.
These four Bhävanäs (reflections) represent the positive means of supporting the Five Vratas. The qualities, which a devotee of nonviolence must possess, are
⚫ Maitri (amity, love, friendship): Friendliness strengthens each other, friendliness softens the heart and nourishes the capacity for forgiveness and forbearance
Pramod (joy and respect): Praising the virtues of others with joy and respect corrodes one's own ego and conceit.
• Karunä (compassion): Compassion for their misfortune fosters a charitable heart
Mädhyastha (neutrality): The cultivation of neutrality and equanimity has the power to minimize excessive pride in personal abilities or achievements in self and others.
These Bhävanäs are designed to make the devotee a good person, to serve as aids to spiritual progress, to produce detachment, and to lead the devotee from the realm of desire to the path of purification. They are intended to develop purity of thought and sincerity in the practice of religion.
सत्वेषु मैत्री गुणीषु प्रमोद, कृत्स्नेषु जीवेषु दया परत्वम्
माध्यस्थ-भावम् विपरीतवृतौ सदा महात्मा विदधातु देव
Sattvesu Maitri Gunisu Pramod Krutsnesu Jivesu Dayä Paratvam |
Mädhyastha-bhävam Viparita-vrttau Sadä Mamätmä Vidadhätu Deva ||
O God, Let my soul ever spread good-will for all living beings, delight for those that are virtuous, compassion for the afflicted ones and indifference towards the ill-behaved!
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE - 2
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