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RITUALS
DO5 - Six Ävashyakas (Six Essentials and Daily Observances)
During Sämäyika, a devotee renounces worldly activities, fully controls his or her mind, speech and bodily activities, and lives the life of an ascetic. It is important to remain calm, meditate, read scriptures, or perform pratikraman ritual and request for forgiveness for one's sins. One should reflect on the following attributes of the soul: Equanimity towards all beings Self-control with pure aspirations Abandonment of all thoughts tainted by desire and aversion. During Sämäyika, one should not think about material happiness, family, friends, and relationships, all of which are not true reflections of the soul, instead one should meditate on the Sutra called: "NÄ-HAM" - I am not that To reinforce identification with the soul, which has the qualities of perfect knowledge, vision, bliss, and power, meditate on the Sutra "SO-HAM" - I am that By meditating on the true nature of the soul, bad karmäs (sins) are eradicated. Therefore, it is recommended that all Jains perform Sämäyika as often as possible and at any time of the day. No one has attained Moksha and no one will attain Moksha without the practice of Sämäyika. Sämäyika is the true conduct. Sämäyika is the essence of Tirthankar's teachings. One has to practice Sämäyika to attain the right perception, the right knowledge and the right conduct. Jain monks and nuns take the vow to remain in Sämäyika for their entire lives at the time of taking Dikshä and thus remain in the state of equanimity, throughout their lives. When a layperson practices Sämäyika, he spends his time as a Sädhu. Laypersons should try to do at least one Sämäyika every
day.
Great detail on the subject of Sämäyika is in the Jain canonical books. Types of Sämäyika: There are two types of Sämäyika: Partial Complete Complete Sämäyika relates to monks and nuns because they practice equanimity at all times. The partial Sämäyika is for lay people (Shrävaks and Shrävikäs) so that they can learn to gradually detach themselves from all external objects. The minimum duration for the partial Sämäyika is 48 minutes. Thirty Two (32) Faults to be avoided during Sämäyika: Jain scriptures describe 32 faults of Mind, Speech, and Body to be avoided during Sämäyika. Ten Faults of Mind To perform Sämäyika without respect to its goals or procedures To perform Sämäyika for prestige To perform Sämäyika out of greed To perform Sämäyika for vanity To perform Sämäyika out of fear To perform Sämäyika for material rewards and power To perform Sämäyika with doubts To perform Sämäyika with anger
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
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