Twelve Contemplations

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]

^ Jaini 2001, pp. 248
^ Caillat 2008, pp. 25
^ Umasvati 2006, pp. 223–225
^ Prabhacandra 2012, pp. 43

[1] Jaini 2001, pp. 248

[2] Caillat 2008, pp. 25

[3] Umasvati 2006, pp. 223–225

[4] Prabhacandra 2012, pp. 43

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