Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark.
Henri Frederic Amiel
Twelve Reflections or Bhavnas
Complied by Pravin K. Shah, Jain Study Center of North Carolina
Twelve Bhavnas (Reflections or Thoughts)
========================================
Jain religion puts a significant emphasis on the thought process of
a human being. A person's behavior and his actions are the
reflection of his internal thoughts, day in and day out. It is not
the action but intention behind the action results in the
accumulation of Karma.
One should be very careful about his thoughts, how he thinks, and
the 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's
meditation, and how to occupy one's mind with useful, religious,
beneficial, peaceful, harmless, spiritually advancing, Karma
preventing thoughts. They cover a wide field of teachings of
Jainism. They are designed to serve as aids to spiritual progress,
produce detachment, and lead the aspirants from the realm of desire
to the path of renunciation. They are reflections upon the
fundamental facts of life, intended to develop purity of thought
and sincerity in the practice of religion.
The reflections are also called Anuprekshas, longings, thoughts,
aspirations, or Bhavnas.
1. Anitya Bhavna - Impermanence of the world
2. Asarana Bhavna - No one provides protection
3. Samsara Bhavna - No permanent relationship in universe
4. Ekatva Bhavna - Solitude of the soul
5. Anyatva Bhavna - Separateness
6. Asuci Bhavna - Impureness of the body
7. Asrava Bhavna - Influx of karma
8. Samvara Bhavna - Stoppage of influx of karma
9. Nirjara Bhavna - Shedding of karma
10. Loka Bhavna - Transitory of universe
11. Bodhi-durlabha Bhavna - Unattainability of right faith, Knowledge, and conduct
12. Dharma Bhavna - Unattainability of true preceptor, scriptures, and religion
1. Anitya Bhavna - Impermanence of the world
---------------------------------------------
Under this reflection, one thinks that in this world every thing
such as life, youth, wealth, property, etc. are transient or
subject to alteration. Nothing in the universe is permanent, even
though the whole universe is constant. Spiritual values are
therefore worth striving for as soul's ultimate freedom and
stability. This will help to break all earthly attachments.
2. Asarana Bhavna - No one provides protection
----------------------------------------------
Under this reflection, one thinks that he is helpless against
death, old age, and disease. The only way he can conquer death and
disease is by destroying all his karma. The soul is his own
savior, and to achieve total freedom and enlightenment, one takes
refuge to the true path and to the five best personalities. They
are Arihanta, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay and Sadhus. The
refuge 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 from
one 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 and
miseries, and has not yet ended. There are no permanent worldly
relations like father, mother, friend, foe, etc. It is we who
establish these relations and live accordingly.
This kind of thought will help minimize or stop any attachments to
anybody, other living beings, or objects. The soul must achieve
ultimate 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, and
lonely in existence. The soul assumes birth alone, and departs
alone from the life form. The soul is responsible for its own
actions and karmas. The soul will enjoy the fruits, and suffer bad
consequences of its own action alone. Such thoughts will stimulate
his efforts to get rid of karmas by his own initiative and will
lead religious life.
5. Anyatva Bhavna - Separateness
--------------------------------
Under this reflection, one thinks that soul is separate from any
other objects or living beings of the world. Even his body is not
his. At the time of death, soul leaves the body behind. The body
is matter, while the soul is all consciousness.
The soul therefore should not develop attachment for worldly
objects, and other living beings. He should not allow himself to
be 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 of
one'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 the
soul. 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 the
influx 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 of
karma, and striving to destroy the previously acquired karma by
austerity and meditation.
10. Loka Bhavna - Transitory of universe
----------------------------------------
Under this reflection, one thinks about the real nature of this
universe. Judging from the standpoint of substance, it is eternal
but from the standpoint of modification it is transitory.
Thus all objects of the world come into existence and perish. This
thought makes him understand the true nature of reality, which is
necessary 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 the
transmigrating soul to acquire right faith, right knowledge, and
right conduct in this world. Therefore, when one's has the
opportunity to be a religious person, take the advantage of it to
develop right religious talent. This thought will strengthen one's
effort 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 full
of agony. All other things lead to misery and suffering.
Four Bhavnas or Virtues
-----------------------
Besides the twelve Bhavnas described above Jainism has laid great
importance on the following four Bhavnas or virtues. They are
mentioned here for clarification.
Amity, love, and friendship - Maitri
Appreciation, respect and joy - Pramoda
Compassion - Karuna
Equanimity and tolerance - Madhyastha
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Brightest of Blessings