In Jain tradition, twelve contemplations, (

Prakrit Prakrit ( ) is a group of vernacular classical Middle Indo-Aryan languages that were used in the Indian subcontinent from around the 5th century BCE to the 12th century CE. The term Prakrit is usually applied to the middle period of Middle Ind ...

: 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 anuprekṣā'' or ''Barah bhāvana''. According to

Jain Philosophy Jain philosophy or Jaina philosophy refers to the Ancient India, ancient Indian Indian philosophy, philosophical system of the Jainism, Jain religion. It comprises all the Philosophy, philosophical investigations and systems of inquiry that dev ...

, these twelve contemplations pertain to eternal truths like nature of universe, human existence, and

karma Karma (, from , ; ) is an ancient Indian concept that refers to an action, work, or deed, and its effect or consequences. In Indian religions, the term more specifically refers to a principle of cause and effect, often descriptively called ...

on which one must meditate. Twelve contemplations is an important topic that has been developed at all epochs of

Jain literature Jain literature () refers to the literature of the Jain religion. It is a vast and ancient literary tradition, which was initially transmitted orally. The oldest surviving material is contained in the canonical ''Jain Agamas'', which are wri ...

. They are regarded as summarising fundamental teachings of the doctrine. Stoppage of new Karma is called ''

Samvara ''Samvara'' (''saṃvara'') is one of the '' tattva'' or the fundamental reality of the world as per the Jain philosophy. It means stoppage—the stoppage of the influx of the material karmas into the soul consciousness. The karmic process in ...

''. Constant engagement on these twelve contemplations help the soul in ''samvara'' or stoppage of karmas.

Twelve Contemplations

Following are twelve anuprekṣās or bhavanas that one must constantly reflect or contemplate upon:

''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 Loka () is a concept in Hinduism and other Indian religions, that may be translated as a planet, the universe, a plane, or a realm of existence. In some philosophies, it may also be interpreted as a mental state that one can experience. A prima ...
'' – (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 ''Asrava'' (''āsrava'' "influx") is one of the ''tattva'' or the fundamental reality of the world as per the Jain philosophy. It refers to the influence of body and mind causing the soul to generate karma. The karmic process in Jainism is b ...
'' – 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 ''Samvara'' (''saṃvara'') is one of the '' tattva'' or the fundamental reality of the world as per the Jain philosophy. It means stoppage—the stoppage of the influx of the material karmas into the soul consciousness. The karmic process in ...
'' – Cessation of karmic inflow, that is, contemplation on the stoppage of karmic inflow by cultivating necessary virtues.
''
Nirjara ''Nirjara'' is one of the seven fundamental principles, or Tattva in Jain philosophy, and refers to the shedding or removal of accumulated karmas from the atma (soul), essential for breaking free from samsara, the cycle of birth-death and r ...
'' – 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

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. Furthermore, these twelve contemplations are also one of the reasons for stoppage of influx of karmas as they regulate our thoughts and physical actions.

Important texts detailing twelve contemplations

*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. *

Tattvarthasutra ''Tattvārthasūtra'', meaning "On the Nature nowiki/>''artha''">artha.html" ;"title="nowiki/>''artha">nowiki/>''artha''of Reality 'tattva'' (also known as ''Tattvarth-adhigama-sutra'' or ''Moksha-shastra'') is an ancient Jain text writte ...

, a 2nd Century CE text by

Umasvati Vācaka Umāsvāti, also spelled as Vācaka Umasvati and known as Vācaka Umāsvāmī, was an Indian scholar, possibly between the 2nd and 5th centuries CE, known for his foundational writings on Jainism. He authored the Jainatext ''Tattvartha ...

. *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)

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