________________
Navapad Oli
During every year for 9 days starting from the 6/7th day in the bright fortnight until the full moon day in Ashwin and Chaitra months, one does Ayambil. This is repeated for the next four and half years. These Ayambils can also be restricted to only one kind of food or grain per day.
In Ekäsan, Biyasan, Ayambil, or Upaväs one can only drink boiled water between sunrise and sunset. It is better if one can do a Chauvihär or Tivihär on the night before starting these austerities. If any of the austerities allow food, one shall not take raw vegetables, root vegetables, or raw grains while performing such austerities. Other austerities are Varsitapa, Vardhaman Tapa, Visasthänak Tapa, etc. Internal Tapa (Internal Austerities) There are six internal types of austerity that shed Karma. Präyashchitta (Repentance or Confession or Remorse): In Präyashchitta, one repents for the various errors of commission and omission, the faults and the sins committed. This can be performed in the presence of an ascetic or can be done alone. Präyashchitta helps us to reflect upon ourselves in a way that leads to self-correction. Even for a small fault, we should say "Michchhä mi Dukkadam." Präyashchitta is a very vital type of Nirjarä. Prayashchitta is a process of improving mental, emotional and spiritual health. Nirjaräis a spiritual cleaning process. Purity of body, mind, and emotions is the result of this process. Whom would you go for Präyashchitta? The preceptor you go to for Präyashchitta should have certain qualifications. It is said in the Jain Agam, Sthänänga Sutra, that the preceptor should have ten characteristics: • Excellent paternal race
Excellent maternal race
Reverence (Humility) • Proper knowledge
Proper faith Proper conduct Forgiving and forbearing Control over the senses Straightforwardness
Remorsefulness for mistakes Nine Types of Prayashchitta:
Alochana (Confession): To confess one's mistakes in the presence of the preceptor and with a pure heart. Pratikraman (Repentance): To repent for the mistakes that has been committed and to refrain from them in future, and to remain alert that no new mistakes are committed Combination of Älochana and Pratikraman: When these Älochana and Pratikraman are performed together. Vivek (Discretion): When forbidden food and/or drink happen to have been received and the fact becomes known, then to discard these food and drink. Vyutsarga: To regret for the mistake committed, one adopts concentration and gives up the operations of body and speech.
.
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE - 2
175
