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JainDigest
Why study Ashrav Bhavana:
Ashrav bhavna is designed to help us attack the karmic enemy before the fact, before the damage is done. Thus it is preventive in nature. It's purpose is to help us get a better understanding of the reasons why we accumulate karma. There are times when we wonder why events, situations are happening the way they are and the karma philosophy provides us with an explanation. The reasons for Ashrav provide us a more in-depth look in to how we ourselves are instrumental in bringing those karma to us. Contemplation of these reasons and then our own introspection tells us what we are doing wrong. Once we understand that and accept our faults, we can look for what changes we need to make in our lives, our behavior. That is the reason a constant reminder of this bhavana and its regurgitation is very essential. It is a giant step for our spiritual progress. Once we understand the mechanism and apply the learning every moment, karmic factory running 24/7 will slow down measurably and our destiny will take a turn for better. At that point, we can focus on destroying the old stock of karma through Nirjara and quicken our pace towards liberation.
Difficulties in the path towards liberation:
We have perhaps heard the concept of Ashrav and Ashrav bhavana several times during our life time. We have perhaps studied and discussed them repeatedly while studying the Theory of Karma. Then, why do we forget the essence of this learning when a real life situation occurs? Why does this important teaching go out the window and why do we react blindly? Why do we repeat the same mistake over and over again?
There are many reasons for this. Acquiring knowledge is one thing and applying that knowledge is another. Many of us are content with just learning as it satisfies our curiosity, our thirst for knowledge and provides intellectual stimulation. We may get closer to identifying our faults and feel guilty; but then we do not attempt to fully introspect our behavior and accept our faults. There is no real desire to make any changes to how we live and we do not feel the need for any transformation. Hence, we do not increase our awareness and forget that every thought, every spoken word and every act we perform has karmic consequences. We then repeat old mistakes and continue to accumulate new karma.
Life repeats itself mindlessly - unless you become mindful, it will go on repeating like a wheel
In addition to increasing our awareness and accepting our faults, we can also learn how to stop the inflow of karma which is called Samvar. That is the topic of Samvar Bhavana, covered in another article in this magazine.
One well known monk has said: "Bandh Samay Chitta Chetiye, Udaye So Santap." - meaning we need to be extra careful at the time of karmic bondage -at the time we attract karmic flow (Ashrav) to our soul. If we are not, there is no point in
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complaining and crying at the time of karmic fruition. We had a choice when we reacted to a catalyst but we stumbled, made a mistake out of ignorance or unawareness and allowed the karmic flow to enter. Through Ashrav and Samvar Bhavana, our scriptures are trying to train us early in the game to do the right thing. We are indeed very fortunate that our seers have shared with us these powerful concepts for our spiritual wellbeing. Now it is up to us to take them to heart and put them in practice.
ASHRAV BHAVANA - CONTEMPLATION OF INFLUX OF KARMA
To contemplate that passions, attachment, animosity, ignorance, belief in the world as the reality, etc. are the reasons we get karma is Ashrav bhavana. Contemplation of these reasons and then our own
introspection tells us what we are doing wrong which helps us in improving ourselves.
