English Pratikraman Introduction and Ritual together for English Speaking Jains

Author(s): Mayur and Rita Lodaya (Speaker)
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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PRATIKRAMAN RITUAL
The four corners of the Muhapatti represent right faith, right knowledge, right conduct, and self-control. It is folded in such a way that eight layers of material are used to protect invisible bacteria. Some Jains keep it around their mouth, while others hold it in the front of their mouth while reciting Sutras during Sämäyika or Pratikraman. In Jain tradition, every religious activity is supposed to be undertaken with the appropriate permission from Guru. Therefore, the lay person first seeks permission to inspect the Muhapatti.
इच्छाकारेण सन्दिसह: भगवन !
सामायिक मुहपत्ति पडिलेहं ? (पडिलेह) इच्छं Icchäkären Sandisah Bhagavan ! Sämäyika Muhapatti Padilehun ? (padilehah) Iccham. Oh! Forgiving Gurudev, may I have your kind permission to inspect the Muhapatti? (Yes, you may). I will now do it. Now unfold the Muhapatti and make sure no insects are trapped in the material. Then fold it back properly. The one side of the folded portion of the Muhapatti has 8 layers of material. After folding it, one holds the Muhapatti in the right hand and touches the left arm with the Muhapatti from fingers to shoulder indicating acceptance of good qualities or virtues by saying:
I accept nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, control over sensual pleasures, less attachment towards worldly objects, graciousness, and helping all living beings. Then the folded Muhapatti is swapped in the left hand and one touches the right arm from shoulder to fingers indicating rejection of bad qualities by saying: I reject anger, ego, deceit, greed, jealousy, stealing, violence, attachment to worldly objects, and uncontrollable sensual pleasures.
olleen
Life is like a garden: A tender heart is its beauty. A sweet tongue is its fragrance. A disciplined mind is its purity.
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ENGLISH PRATIKRAMAN