Book Title: Jain Thoughts And Prayers English Gujarati
Author(s): Kanti V Mardia
Publisher: Yorkshire Jain Foundation

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Page 21
________________ TWELVE REFLECTIONS The twelve mental reflections engaged upon are given below. The traditional approach makes them rather negative but Chitrabhanu has stated them in a more positive manner. Here, the two approaches are integrated (see, Mardia 2016). 1. Impermanence: There is impermanence of everything surrounding one but there is unchanging soul beneath the changing body. 2. Helplessness: We are helpless in the face of death but the inner invisible force always lives. 3. Cycle of Rebirth: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth is possible. 4. Aloneness: There is the absolute solitude of each individual as he goes through this cycle and therefore one should achieve dependence only on oneself. 5. Beyond Body: The soul and body are separate and we are more than just corporeal. We must seek the true meaning of life through the existence of the soul. 17 For Private & Personal Use Only www.yjf.org.uk 6. Impurity: How even the most physically attractive body contains impurity. 7. Karmic Fusion: How karmic influx happens and how to stand apart and watch the inflow. 8. Karmic Shield: How such influx happens and how to close the window when the storm, in the form of the Four Passions, is about to come. 9. Total Karmic Decay: How karmic matter within the soul may be shed so that the soul may be cleaned to move towards permanent reality. 10. Universe: The universe is eternal and uncreated, hence each person is responsible for his own salvation - for there is no God to intervene. 11. Rarity of True-Insight: True-Insight is rarely attained and human embodiment bestows the rare privilege and opportunity to attain moksha. 12. Truth of Jain Path: The truth of the teachings of the Tirthankaras which leads to the goal of eternal peace through understanding one's own true nature. 18 For Private & Personal Use Only www.yjf.org.uk

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