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PRATIKRAMAN - OBSERVANCE OF SELF-REFLECTION
This ritual is performed to develop equal regard towards all living beings, equanimity towards pleasure and pain, and to be free from attachment and aversion. 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 pratikramana 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, if one thinks about material happiness, family, friends, and relationships, all of which are not true reflections of the soul, 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 karmas (sins) are eradicated. Therefore, it is recommended that all Jains perform Sämäyika as often as possible and at any time of the
day. Types of Sämäyika There are two types of Sämäyika - partial and 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.
PRATIKRAMAN SUTRA BOOK
