Anantabhava, Anantabhāva, Ananta-bhava: 1 definition
Introduction:
Anantabhava means something in Jainism, Prakrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve ReflectionsAnantabhava (अनन्तभव) refers to “endless existence”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “[com.—Next he says, ‘The cause of suffering (duḥkhakāraṇam) is endless existence and the body (anantabhavaśarīraṃ)’]—Whatever difficulties arise from life, they are each endured here by the embodied soul, only having taken hold of the body powerfully. The body of men also defiles auspicious things [such as] camphor, saffron, aloe wood, musk, sandalwood because of [its] contact [with them]”.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
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