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In jainism how many types of Bhavana. Name each bhavnagar and explain each bhavna with example.
Answer
In Jainism, Bhāvanā means deep reflection or contemplation that helps purify the soul and reduce attachment, anger, ego, greed, and delusion.
Traditionally, there are 12 main Bhāvanās called Bārah Bhāvanā or Anuprekṣā.
They are:
- Anitya Bhāvanā
- Aśaraṇa Bhāvanā
- Saṃsāra Bhāvanā
- Ekatva Bhāvanā
- Anyatva Bhāvanā
- Aśuci Bhāvanā
- Āsrava Bhāvanā
- Saṃvara Bhāvanā
- Nirjarā Bhāvanā
- Loka Bhāvanā
- Bodhi-durlabha Bhāvanā
- Dharma Bhāvanā
Explanation
1. Anitya Bhāvanā — Reflection on Impermanence
Everything in the world is temporary. Body, wealth, relationships, fame, youth, and possessions do not remain forever.
Example: A person may have great wealth today, but it can be lost tomorrow. The body is young today, but it will grow old. Thinking this reduces pride and attachment.
2. Aśaraṇa Bhāvanā — Reflection on Helplessness
At the time of death or suffering, no worldly person or object can truly protect the soul. Only one’s own right conduct, faith, knowledge, and spiritual effort are helpful.
Example: When death comes, family, friends, money, and power cannot stop it. Only one’s good karma and spiritual progress accompany the soul.
3. Saṃsāra Bhāvanā — Reflection on the Cycle of Birth and Death
The soul has wandered in saṃsāra through countless births and deaths due to karma. This worldly cycle is full of suffering and uncertainty.
Example: A soul may be born as a human in one life, as an animal in another, or in other states depending on karma. Reflecting on this inspires one to seek liberation.
4. Ekatva Bhāvanā — Reflection on Solitariness of the Soul
The soul is alone in experiencing its karma. No one else can share the fruits of one’s karma.
Example: If a person commits violence or tells lies, the karmic result must be experienced by that person’s own soul, not by family or friends.
5. Anyatva Bhāvanā — Reflection on Separateness
The soul is separate from the body, possessions, family, and worldly identity. The body is matter; the soul is conscious.
Example: We say “my body,” “my house,” “my family.” The word “my” itself shows that these are separate from the true self, the soul.
6. Aśuci Bhāvanā — Reflection on Impurity of the Body
The body is not pure or permanent. It is made of physical substances and is subject to disease, aging, and decay. This reflection reduces attachment to bodily beauty and pleasure.
Example: A beautiful body still needs constant cleaning and care. It can become sick at any time. Thinking this helps reduce vanity and sensual attachment.
7. Āsrava Bhāvanā — Reflection on Inflow of Karma
Āsrava means the inflow of karma into the soul. Karma enters due to wrong activities of mind, speech, and body, especially through passions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed.
Example: If someone insults us and we react with anger, that anger causes karmic bondage. This is āsrava.
8. Saṃvara Bhāvanā — Reflection on Stoppage of Karma
Saṃvara means stopping new karma from entering the soul. It is achieved through self-control, carefulness, forgiveness, right conduct, and awareness.
Example: If someone insults us and we remain calm with forgiveness, we stop new harmful karma from entering. This is saṃvara.
9. Nirjarā Bhāvanā — Reflection on Shedding of Karma
Nirjarā means destroying or shedding previously bound karma. This happens through austerity, repentance, meditation, humility, and spiritual discipline.
Example: Practicing fasting, pratikramaṇ, forgiveness, and meditation with pure intention helps reduce accumulated karma.
10. Loka Bhāvanā — Reflection on the Universe
This is contemplation on the nature of the universe according to Jain Dharma. The universe is beginningless and operates according to its own natural laws. The soul wanders in different states within this loka because of karma.
Example: Reflecting on the vastness of the universe makes one understand that worldly pride is meaningless and liberation is the true goal.
11. Bodhi-durlabha Bhāvanā — Reflection on Rarity of Right Enlightenment
Right faith, right knowledge, right conduct, human birth, and guidance of true Dharma are very rare. One should not waste this precious opportunity.
Example: Many living beings do not get human birth, and even among humans, not everyone gets the opportunity to understand Jain Dharma. So we should use this life wisely.
12. Dharma Bhāvanā — Reflection on True Religion
True Dharma is the path that leads the soul away from attachment and aversion toward liberation. It includes non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy, non-possessiveness, forgiveness, humility, and self-discipline.
Example: Practicing ahiṃsā in daily life, speaking truth gently, limiting desires, and doing pratikramaṇ are ways of living Dharma.
Spiritual Understanding
The 12 Bhāvanās are not just thoughts; they are spiritual practices. By reflecting on them again and again:
- Attachment becomes weaker.
- Passions become calmer.
- Awareness of the soul increases.
- One moves closer to right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.
They help a person understand that worldly pleasures are temporary and that liberation of the soul is the highest goal.
Takeaway
The 12 Bhāvanās teach us to look deeply at life, reduce attachment, stop new karma, shed old karma, and move toward mokṣa. They are powerful reflections for making Jain Dharma practical in daily life.
