In Jain tradition, twelve contemplations, (Prakrit: बारस अणुवेक्खा ) are the twelve mental reflections that a Jain ascetic and a practitioner should repeatedly engage in. These twelve contemplations are also known as Barah anuprekśa or Barah bhāvana. According to Jain Philosophy, these twelve contemplations pertain to eternal truths like nature of universe, human existence, and karma on which one must meditate.[1] Twelve contemplations is an important topic that has been developed at all epochs of Jain literature. They are regarded as summarising fundamental teachings of the doctrine.[2] Stoppage of new Karma is called Samvara. Constant engagement on these twelve contemplations help the soul in samvara or stoppage of karmas.[3][4]
Following are twelve Anupreksas or bhavanas that one must constantly reflect or contemplate upon:[5][6]
Anitya – Impermanence (of everything), that is, contemplation on the fact that everything in this world including relations are transient and fleeting.
Asharana – Helplessness (against our karma). The soul is helpless against its own karma.
Ekatva – Solitariness (of the soul), that is, acceptance of the fact that I am alone in the world and alone will suffer or enjoy the consequences of my Karma.
Anyatva Distinctiveness (of the self from everything else). The knowledge that the world, my kinsmen, my body, my mind, all are distinct from my real self i.e. the soul.
Samsara – (inevitability of) transmigration, reflection of the fact that soul is ensnared in the continuous and sorrowful cycle of birth and death and cannot attain true happiness till it ends this cycle.
Loka – (the nature of) Universe, that is, contemplation on the fundamental truths about the universe that it is beginningless, uncreated and operates according to its own laws—there is no divine omnipotent being responsible for the Universe.
Ashucitva – Impurity (of soul, on account of its association with karma)
Asrava – Influx of karma. Reflection of the fact that inflow of karmas is the cause of my mundane existence and there is no liberation as long as my soul is associated with karmas.
Samvara – Cessation of karmic inflow, that is, contemplation on the stoppage of karmic inflow by cultivating necessary virtues.
Nirjara – Shedding of karma, that is, shedding or destruction of karmas by penances.
Dharmasvakhyata – path of righteousness, Reflection on the true nature of the path to righteousness based on true teachings of Jina through various practices like Ahimsa and non-attachment.
Bodhidurlabha – Rarity of finding the right path to enlightenment. Reflection on the fact that true enlightenment is very rare and many souls are deprived of moksha or liberation due to failure to reincarnate as human and attain true teachings of the Jina.
Importance of Twelve Contemplationsedit
Twelve Contemplations or anupreksa is an important tool for meditation. In Yogasastra, Hemcandra gives great importance to the twelve contemplations since constant reflections on these bhavanas results in detachment in worldly matters which in turn results in equanimity. With equanimity, passions (kasaya) are eliminated resulting in mental purity. This finally culminates into knowledge of self.[7] Furthermore, these twelve contemplations are also one of the reasons for stoppage of influx of karmas as they regulate our thoughts and physical actions.[8]
Important texts detailing twelve contemplationsedit
Barasa Anuvekkha, a 2nd Century CE text by Acarya Kundakunda. It is a short Prakrit text of 90 gathas focusing on the spiritual aspects of meditation. Kundakunda shows how leading the mind in a certain direction will held develop detachment from worldly entanglements, thus helping the soul progress on the path of liberation. Muni Pranamyasagar has written the first and only commentary on it. It has been written in Kādambini style in Sanskrit language.[9]
Glasenapp, Helmuth Von (2003) [1942], H. R. Kapadia (ed.), The Doctrine of Karman in Jain Philosophy, translated by G. Barry Gifford, Fremont, CA: Asian Humanities Press, ISBN0895819716
Prabhacandra, Acarya (2012), Acarya Prabhachandra's Tattvarthasutra, Pandit Nathuram Premi Research Series (in Sanskrit, Hindi, and English), vol. 20, translated by Jajaj, Dr. Jaykumar; Shah, Anish, Mumbai: Hindi Granth Karyalay, ISBN978-81-88769-16-2
Hemacandra, Acarya (2012), A Handbook on the Three Jewels of Jainism (The Yogasastra of Hemacandra), Pandit Nathuram Premi Research Series (in Sanskrit and English), vol. 29, translated by Qvanstrom, Olle, Mumbai: Hindi Granth Karyalay, ISBN978-81-88769-85-8
Sangave, Dr. Vilas A. (2001), Facets of Jainology: Selected Research Papers on Jain Society, Religion, and Culture, Mumbai: Popular Prakashan, ISBN8171548393
Umasvati, Vacaka (2006), Tattvārtha Sūtra: That which Is of Vācaka Umāsvāti (in Sanskrit and English), translated by Tatia, Nathmal, Lanham, MD: Rowman Altamira, ISBN0761989935
April 13, 2024
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In Jain tradition twelve contemplations Prakrit ब रस अण व क ख are the twelve mental reflections that a Jain ascetic and a practitioner should repeatedly engage in These twelve contemplations are also known as Barah anupreksa or Barah bhavana According to Jain Philosophy these twelve contemplations pertain to eternal truths like nature of universe human existence and karma on which one must meditate 1 Twelve contemplations is an important topic that has been developed at all epochs of Jain literature They are regarded as summarising fundamental teachings of the doctrine 2 Stoppage of new Karma is called Samvara Constant engagement on these twelve contemplations help the soul in samvara or stoppage of karmas 3 4 Contents 1 Twelve Contemplations 2 Importance of Twelve Contemplations 3 Important texts detailing twelve contemplations 4 See also 5 References 5 1 Citations 5 2 SourcesTwelve Contemplations editFollowing are twelve Anupreksas or bhavanas that one must constantly reflect or contemplate upon 5 6 Anitya Impermanence of everything that is contemplation on the fact that everything in this world including relations are transient and fleeting Asharana Helplessness against our karma The soul is helpless against its own karma Ekatva Solitariness of the soul that is acceptance of the fact that I am alone in the world and alone will suffer or enjoy the consequences of my Karma Anyatva Distinctiveness of the self from everything else The knowledge that the world my kinsmen my body my mind all are distinct from my real self i e the soul Samsara inevitability of transmigration reflection of the fact that soul is ensnared in the continuous and sorrowful cycle of birth and death and cannot attain true happiness till it ends this cycle Loka the nature of Universe that is contemplation on the fundamental truths about the universe that it is beginningless uncreated and operates according to its own laws there is no divine omnipotent being responsible for the Universe Ashucitva Impurity of soul on account of its association with karma Asrava Influx of karma Reflection of the fact that inflow of karmas is the cause of my mundane existence and there is no liberation as long as my soul is associated with karmas Samvara Cessation of karmic inflow that is contemplation on the stoppage of karmic inflow by cultivating necessary virtues Nirjara Shedding of karma that is shedding or destruction of karmas by penances Dharmasvakhyata path of righteousness Reflection on the true nature of the path to righteousness based on true teachings of Jina through various practices like Ahimsa and non attachment Bodhidurlabha Rarity of finding the right path to enlightenment Reflection on the fact that true enlightenment is very rare and many souls are deprived of moksha or liberation due to failure to reincarnate as human and attain true teachings of the Jina Importance of Twelve Contemplations editTwelve Contemplations or anupreksa is an important tool for meditation In Yogasastra Hemcandra gives great importance to the twelve contemplations since constant reflections on these bhavanas results in detachment in worldly matters which in turn results in equanimity With equanimity passions kasaya are eliminated resulting in mental purity This finally culminates into knowledge of self 7 Furthermore these twelve contemplations are also one of the reasons for stoppage of influx of karmas as they regulate our thoughts and physical actions 8 Important texts detailing twelve contemplations editBarasa Anuvekkha a 2nd Century CE text by Acarya Kundakunda It is a short Prakrit text of 90 gathas focusing on the spiritual aspects of meditation Kundakunda shows how leading the mind in a certain direction will held develop detachment from worldly entanglements thus helping the soul progress on the path of liberation Muni Pranamyasagar has written the first and only commentary on it It has been written in Kadambini style in Sanskrit language 9 Tattvarthasutra a 2nd Century CE text by Umasvati Yogasastra a 12th Century CE text by Acarya Hemacandra Hemacandra devotes a chapter on these contemplations in his Sanskrit text Yogasastra Maranavibhatti or Maranasamahi Painnayam gathas 570 640 See also editKarma in Jainism Jainism and non creationism Jain PhilosophyReferences editCitations edit Jaini 2001 pp 248 Caillat 2008 pp 25 Umasvati 2006 pp 223 225 Prabhacandra 2012 pp 43 Jaini 2001 pp 248 249 Sangave 2001 pp 237 239 Hemacandra 2012 pp 12 Umasvati 2006 pp 223 225 Muni Pranamyasagar ब रस ण व क ख Baras Anuvekkha Arhat Vidyaprakashan GoteGanv p 790 Sources edit Caillat Colette 2008 On the Composition of the Svetambara Tract in Caillat Colette Balbir Nalini eds Jaina Studies Delhi Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 81 208 3247 3 Glasenapp Helmuth Von 2003 1942 H R Kapadia ed The Doctrine of Karman in Jain Philosophy translated by G Barry Gifford Fremont CA Asian Humanities Press ISBN 0895819716 Jaini Padmanabh S 2001 1979 The Jaina Path of Purification Delhi Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 81 208 1578 5 Prabhacandra Acarya 2012 Acarya Prabhachandra s Tattvarthasutra Pandit Nathuram Premi Research Series in Sanskrit Hindi and English vol 20 translated by Jajaj Dr Jaykumar Shah Anish Mumbai Hindi Granth Karyalay ISBN 978 81 88769 16 2 Hemacandra Acarya 2012 A Handbook on the Three Jewels of Jainism The Yogasastra of Hemacandra Pandit Nathuram Premi Research Series in Sanskrit and English vol 29 translated by Qvanstrom Olle Mumbai Hindi Granth Karyalay ISBN 978 81 88769 85 8 Sangave Dr Vilas A 2001 Facets of Jainology Selected Research Papers on Jain Society Religion and Culture Mumbai Popular Prakashan ISBN 8171548393 Umasvati Vacaka 2006 Tattvartha Sutra That which Is of Vacaka Umasvati in Sanskrit and English translated by Tatia Nathmal Lanham MD Rowman Altamira ISBN 0761989935 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Twelve Contemplations amp oldid 1068439277, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
