online support
Jain religion puts a significant emphasis on the thought process ofa human being. A person's behavior and his actions are thereflection of his internal thoughts, day in and day out. It is notthe action but intention behind the action results in theaccumulation of Karma.
One should be very careful about his thoughts, how he thinks, andthe 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'smeditation, and how to occupy one's mind with useful, religious,beneficial, peaceful, harmless, spiritually advancing, Karmapreventing thoughts. They cover a wide field of teachings ofJainism. They are designed to serve as aids to spiritual progress,produce detachment, and lead the aspirants from the realm of desireto the path of renunciation. They are reflections upon thefundamental facts of life, intended to develop purity of thoughtand sincerity in the practice of religion.
The reflections are also called Anuprekshas, longings, thoughts,aspirations, or Bhavnas.
1. Anitya Bhavna - Impermanence of the world
Under this reflection, one thinks that in this world every thingsuch as life, youth, wealth, property, etc. are transient orsubject to alteration. Nothing in the universe is permanent, eventhough the whole universe is constant. Spiritual values aretherefore worth striving for as soul's ultimate freedom andstability. This will help to break all earthly attachments.
2. Asarana Bhavna - No one provides protection
Under this reflection, one thinks that he is helpless againstdeath, old age, and disease. The only way he can conquer death anddisease is by destroying all his karma. The soul is his ownsavior, and to achieve total freedom and enlightenment, one takesrefuge to the true path and to the five best personalities. Theyare Arihanta, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay and Sadhus. Therefuge 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 fromone 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 andmiseries, and has not yet ended. There are no permanent worldlyrelations like father, mother, friend, foe, etc. It is we whoestablish these relations and live accordingly.
This kind of thought will help minimize or stop any attachments toanybody, other living beings, or objects. The soul must achieveultimate 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, andlonely in existence. The soul assumes birth alone, and departsalone from the life form. The soul is responsible for its ownactions and karmas. The soul will enjoy the fruits, and suffer badconsequences of its own action alone. Such thoughts will stimulatehis efforts to get rid of karmas by his own initiative and willlead religious life.
5. Anyatva Bhavna - Separateness
Under this reflection, one thinks that soul is separate from anyother objects or living beings of the world. Even his body is nothis. At the time of death, soul leaves the body behind. The bodyis matter, while the soul is all consciousness. The soul therefore should not develop attachment for worldlyobjects, and other living beings. He should not allow himself tobe 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 ofone'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 thesoul. 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 theinflux 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 ofkarma, and striving to destroy the previously acquired karma byausterity and meditation.
10. Loka Bhavna - Transitory of universe
Under this reflection, one thinks about the real nature of thisuniverse. Judging from the standpoint of substance, it is eternalbut from the standpoint of modification it is transitory.
Thus all objects of the world come into existence and perish. Thisthought makes him understand the true nature of reality, which isnecessary 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 thetransmigrating soul to acquire right faith, right knowledge, andright conduct in this world. Therefore, when one's has theopportunity to be a religious person, take the advantage of it todevelop right religious talent. This thought will strengthen one'seffort 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 fullof agony. All other things lead to misery and suffering.
Four Bhavnas or Virtues
Besides the twelve Bhavnas described above Jainism has laid greatimportance on the following four Bhavnas or virtues. They arementioned here for clarification.
Amity, love, and friendship - Maitri
Appreciation, respect and joy - Pramoda
Compassion - Karuna
Equanimity and tolerance - Madhyastha
