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RITUALS
DO5 - Six Ävashyakas (Six Essentials and Daily Observances)
Sutras Recited During Vandana Ävashyak Bowing to Ascetics
Ichchhami Khamäsamano Sutra Bowing to Ascetics
Tikhutto Sutra Wellness of Guru
Icchakära sutra Ascetics Forgiveness Sutra Abbhutthio Sutra
4. Pratikraman - Repentance and Confession of Sins
Pratikraman is the most important Ävashyaka (essential ritual). "Prati" means "back" and "kraman" means "to go". It means to go back, to reflect and review, to confess and atone, asking for forgiveness from others for one's own faults of mind, body, and speech in one's daily activities, and forgiving faults of others and extending friendship to all. It means reviewing our daily activities and concentrating on refraining from the sins committed during the day. Pratikraman is like a mirror where we see ourselves internally, the way it is. Therefore, Pratikraman involves repentance and sincere confession for past sinful deeds and thoughts as well as the forgiveness of others' faults. This process of self-discipline provides protection from present sinful acts, and prevents future sinful acts through renunciation. It helps to stop the influx of karma that obscures the true nature of the soul. We can shed karma by practicing penance in 12 different ways - six external ways and six internal ways. External penance detaches us from the external world like pleasures of five senses and the mind and body and prepares us for our spiritual journey. Internal penance helps realize the true nature of the soul. We cannot begin our spiritual journey without examining our faults, atoning for our faults by asking for forgiveness, and resolving not to commit them in future. This is the essence of Pratikraman Types of Pratikraman: Jain monks and nuns must perform this ritual in accordance with tradition. Devoted Jain lay people staunchly observe this ritual while others practice it as often as possible. It is recommended that Pratikraman be done twice a day, once in the morning known as Räi Pratikraman and once in the evening known as Devasi Pratikraman. The morning Pratikraman is for the atonement of minor violations of vows incurred during the night and the evening Pratikraman is for the minor violation of vows of the day. There is a special Pratikraman for every fortnight (Pakkhi), every four months (Chaumäsi), and yearly (Samvatsari) Pratikraman if not possible to perform the daily Pratikramans.
The annual Pratikraman that all Jains should strive to observe is called Samvatsari Pratikraman. The Samvatsari Pratikraman is performed on the last day of Paryushan and is followed by forgiveness, i.e. asking forgiveness for our wrongdoings to all living beings and forgiving others for their faults. It generates feelings of friendliness and love towards all. Pratikraman (self-analysis) can make our lives happy and peaceful as well as build a harmonious society. Dravya and Bhäva Pratikraman The Jain ethics system outlines 5 great vows to be practiced by monks and nuns who have totally renounced worldly life. However for lay people, it outlines 12 vows of limited nature (Anuvratas) that are less intense than those followed by monks and nuns. Jainism defines that everyone should strive to adopt these vows according to one's individual capacity and circumstances. The ultimate goal is to accept them as full vows. In order to effectively avoid sinful activities, one should abandon wrong belief (Mithyätva), an unrestrained lifestyle (Avirati), unawareness, laziness, or lethargy (Pramäda), passions (Kashaya) and inauspicious activities of body, speech, and mind (Aprashasta Yoga).
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Compendium of Jainism - 2015
