A study of the “Twelve Reflections” (dvādaśa bhāvanāḥ) depicted by the eleventh-century Jain Digambara scholar Ācārya Śubhacandra in his “Ocean of Knowledge” (Jñānārṇava) and an analysis of his contribution to the development of Jain meditation practice.

Abstract

The Jñānārṇava is a text on yoga and meditation composed in Sanskrit by the Digambara mendicant scholar, Śubhacandra (c. 11th century C.E.). In Chapter 2 of his text, he discusses twelve subjects for reflection: transience, helplessness, the cycle of rebirth, solitariness, difference between the body and the self, impurity of the body, influx of karma, preventing influx of karma, wearing away karma, the doctrine, the cosmos, and enlightenment. This thesis has two primary aims. The first is to investigate Śubhacandra’s formulation and presentation of the twelve reflections. The second is to consider the extent to which his articulation of them represents an original contribution to their application as part of Jain meditation practice and his role in their development as a subject for consideration within Jainism. The first chapter discusses the edition of the Jñānārṇava used as a basis for the English translation of Chapter 2 of this text, previous scholarship on the topic, what is known about Śubhacandra and presents an overview of his text. The second chapter examines the meaning of the word bhāvanā in the context of the twelve reflections, their emergence within Jainism, their role and modifications in their form and usage. Chapter three includes a description of the twelve reflections and discusses their benefit or purpose according to Śubhacandra. This thesis contends that they are premeditative in a general and specific sense. The fourth chapter compares Śubhacandra’s exposition with those in the Sarvārthasiddhi, Yaśastilaka Campū and Yogaśāstra. Chapter five presents the conclusions of this research. They include the likelihood that Śubhacandra’s approach to the twelve reflections is the original formulation of their conceptualisation as a preparation for practising Jain meditation; and that his presentation displays certain innovative features but that without further research it is difficult to conclude that it is typical of the Digambara tradition.