My 12 Reflections

Humans have a great ability to mentally reflect on our this world, but at the same time interconnected to every living current, past, and future. Jain scriptures eloquently prescribe being. By observing these reflections, we can deepen our view of 12 reflections to help us reinforce our Jain way of life practices. Non-Violence, Non-Absolutism, and Non-Possessiveness. These reflections allow us to understand that we are alone in

# Reflection Description Impermanence I have come into this world alone and will leave this world alone. This world is impermanent. 1 (Anitya) Everything is subject to change and transformation. Inevitability of birth Birth is inevitably followed by death. Kings and presidents with their powerful armies, scientists 2 and death (Asharan) with their latest medical technology, and even gods cannot change this. Wordly Existence Worldly life is an ocean of illusion. No permanent relationships exist. The Soul moves from one 3 (Samsär) body to another, one relationship to another, and can only exit this illusion through liberation. 4 Aloneness (Ekatva) There is absolute solitude of each Soul. I am alone and responsible for my actions. Separateness (Anyatva) The world, my relations and friends, my body and mind, they are all distinct and separate from 5 my real self. My real self, the Soul, is permanent. Impureness (Ashuchi) The body is impure and dirty. It transforms, changes and eventually turns to ashes. We must 6 treat it with respect and care but not be attached to its external appearance. 7 Inflow Äsrav( ) Passions dominate our thoughts, speech and actions, and allow inflow of .

94 Self and Work My 12 Reflections

# Reflection Description Stoppage (Samvar) The inflow of negative and positive can be stopped through meditation and, will power 8 and knowledge. 9 Shedding (Nirjarä) By shedding the negative as well as positive Karmas, we can liberate our Soul. Universe (Lokasvarup) The universe is vast and is in a constant state of flux. Compared to the vastness of the universe, 10 our physical space and time is tiny. Unattainability (Bodhi It is difficult to attain Right Perception, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct; it requires 11 Durlabh) proactive and mindful efforts. Teachings of Arihants Arihants, the monks who have attained complete knowledge, have shown us the path of Non- 12 () Violence, Non-Absolutism, and Non-Possessiveness.

These twelve Anuprekshas are meditations or reflections and whole universe is constant. Spiritual values are therefore worth have to be meditated upon again and again. Sometimes these striving for as they alone offer the Soul, its ultimate freedom Anuprekshas are termed as Bhävanäs (thoughts). and stability.

Bhävanä: (Contemplations) 2. Asharan bhävanä: The refuge to the sansär, i.e. world of becoming, is misleading The Jain Way of Life is about managing and balancing one’s passion. Mindful Bhävanä (contemplations, yearnings, The Soul is in its own refuge, and to achieve total freedom thoughts, aspirations, or reflections) can help us. These and enlightenment to the true path, one takes refuge in 12 Bhävanäs describe the subject of one’s contemplations, and teachings of Arihanta (have total knowledge), Siddha (liberated how to occupy one’s mind with useful, religious, beneficial, Soul), Aachärya (head of religious order), Upädhyäya (teachers) peaceful, harmless, spiritually advancing, Karma-preventing and Sädhus (monks and nuns). The refuge to things other than thoughts. The Bhävanäs, also called Anuprekshas, help one to above due to delusion, is unfortunate, and must be avoided. remain on the right course in life, and not to stray away. The person’s daily behavior, practical life or action is the resultant of 3. Samsär bhävanä: The worldly existence his internal thoughts. The Soul transmigrates from one life to the other in four gatis (human, animal, hellish, heavenly) and is full of pain 1. Anitya bhävanä: The impermanence of the sansär and miseries. The Soul must achieve ultimate freedom, which or world is . Nothing in the universe has permanence, even though the

95 My 12 Reflections Self and Work

4. Ekatva bhävanä: The aloneness of the Soul 9. Nirjarä bhävanä: Karma shedding The Soul is solitary, and lonely in existence. The Soul assumes The efficacy of discipline and penance for freeing oneself birth alone, and departs alone from the life form. It will be from the bondage of the Karma. responsible for its own actions and Karmas. The Soul will enjoy the fruit as well as suffer bad consequences of its own action 10. Lokasvarup bhävanä: Universe alone. To think of the nature and structure of the universe. The universe consists of six substances: Soul, Matter, Medium of 5. Anyatva bhävanä: The self-dependence, separateness Motion, Medium of Rest, Space, and Time. In this world one should be self-dependent. The Soul therefore should not develop attachment for worldly objects and 11. Bodhidurlabh bhçvanä: Unobtainability of true talent beings. It is very difficult for the transmigrating Soul in this world (sansär) to develop Right Perception, Right Knowledge, and 6. Ashuchi bhävanä: The impureness of the body Right Conduct. So when you have the opportunity to learn Jain The composition of the body will reveal all the things we principles, take advantage of it to develop right religious talent. loathe, such as excrement, urine, blood, meat, bones, sweat, and so on, and therefore is impure. The Soul, within the body 12. Dharmadurlabh bhävanä: Unobtainability of true but unattached to the body, alone is pure. The body ultimately preceptor, scripture and religion becomes nonexistent, but the Soul continues on; it is eternal. To be able to distinguish right religion, scripture, preceptor Emotional attachment to the body is useless. etc. from the wrong and to follow the right requires good judgment. The Dharma is characterized by: 7. Äsrav bhävanä: Influx of Karma contemplations Uttam (Right), Kshamä (Forbearance, Forgiveness), Raag, Dwesh, ignorance etc. attracts new Karmas. Deluded Uttam Mardava (Modesty, Humility), Uttam Arjav state, and how to be free from delusion is the subject matter of (Straightforwardness), Uttam Shauch (Purity), Uttam this thought activity. (Truth), Uttam Sanyam (Self‑restraint, Control of Senses), Uttam Tapa (Austerity, Penance), Uttam Tyaaga (Renunciation), 8. Samvar bhävanä: Stoppage of influx of Karma Uttam Akinchanya (Non attachment), Uttam Brahmacharya To get absorbed in achieving spiritual knowledge, meditation (Celibacy, Chastity). prevents the influx of Karmas.

“Fight with yourself, why fight with external foes? He who conquers himself through himself will obtain happiness.” — Mahävir

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