Religious Prayascittas according to old Jaina Ritual

SR No.: 250276
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Collete Caillat
Publisher: Z_Mahavir_Jain_Vidyalay_Suvarna_Mahotsav_Granth_Part_1_012002.pdf and Mahavir_Jain_Vidyalay_Suvarna_
Total Pages: 30
Language: English
Classification: Article & Ritual
File Size: 2 MB

Page 17

104 : SHRI MAHAVIRA JAINA VIDYALAYA GOLDEN JUBILEE VOLUME
It is addressed to the eldest (răiniya), or to the second eldest, or to a giyattha ; and it takes place, normally at the end of each fortnight, or after four months, or after a year, or after twelve years at the most.73
The uvasampayâloyaņā is a very elaborate ceremony.74 It is preceded by a sort of examination of the bhikkhu to make sure whether he is worth being admitted or readmitted into the gana. He cannot be received unless his reasons are pure, and he sincerely wishes to improve his knowledge, faith, conduct. Moreover, it must be checked whether his behaviour in the main is proper. If he is acknowledged to be faultless, he is granted admission, and tested during three days; he himself observes whether the conduct of the āyariya is satisfactory. If all are pleased, the candidate confesses his faults in the established order, 75 then bows to the superior, asking for advice, warning, and stimulus :
āloyanā me dinnā, icchāmi sārana vāraṇa coyanam ti; the guru promises :
ajjo amhe sārejjā vārejjä сoijjä iti.76 The avarāhāloyaņā is performed by a monk who has specially come from another gana to confess particular faults.77 This he must state as soon as he arrives, whether he be questioned or not.78 The superior will enquire about the reasons that lead him to leave his own troup, and will receive him or not according to his answer, just as in the uvasampayâloyaņā. Normally, this confession is a detailed one.
The commentaries stress that it must be given in auspicious surroundings, days, etc.79 The superior and the bhikkhu should look towards the proper direction: the latter towards the East or the North, or the caranti (dik), that is the land where the Lord or any other great teacher has led or is leading his religious life.80 The acārya is seated looking towards the East, the other is on his right, facing the North; or again the ācārya is turned to the North, the other is on the left, looking
73 VavBh 1, 51; T II 17 a - b. 74 VavBh 1, 61 - 119 = NisBh 6322-6376. 75 VavBh 1, 119= Nis Bh 6 376. 76 VavT 38 b 11 ff. 77 VavBh 1, 120 - 133 = NisBh 6 377 -6 390. 78 VavŢ II 39 a 5. 79 VavBh 1, 122-131 = NisBh 6 379 - 6 388. 80 caranti nama yasyam (diśi) Bhagavān arhan viharati, samānyatah
kevala-ināni, etc., VavȚ II 42 a f.