English Pratikraman Introduction and Ritual together for English Speaking Jains

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

Page 77

APPENDIX
Premeditated violence is prohibited for all. A householder partakes in necessary violence defensively and vocationally provided he is aware of these Atichärs. Common violence is accepted for survival, but even here one should be careful in preparing food, cleaning one's house, etc. in order to minimize violence. This explains the Jain practices of filtering drinking water, vegetarianism, not eating meals at night, and abstinence from alcohol. Nonviolence is the foundation of Jain ethics.
Lord Mahävir says:
`One should not injure, subjugate, enslave, torture or kill any living being including animals, insects, plants, and vegetables.'
This is the essence of the Jain religion. It embraces the welfare of all animals and it protects the environment. It is the basis of all stages of knowledge and the source of all rules of conduct.
2. Limited Vow of Truthfulness (Satya Anuvrata) Truthfulness is more than abstaining from falsehood. It is seeing the world in its real form and adapting to that reality. The vow of truth puts a person in touch with his inner strength and inner capacities.
In this vow, a person avoids gross lies, such as giving false evidence, denying the property of others entrusted to him, and cheating others. If the truth has the potential to harm others or hurt their feelings, it is better to remain silent. A householder should minimize the minor violations to this vow related to self-defense, protection of his family and country, business, and job related circumstances, and the survival of his life and livelihood. He should be fully aware of these Atichärs and should repent them continuously.
3. Limited Vow of Non-stealing (Achaurya / Asteya) In this vow, a person must not steal, rob, or embezzle others' valuable goods and property. One also must not cheat and use illegal means to acquire worldly assets beyond their minimum needs.
4. Limited Vow of Chastity (Brahmacharya)
The basic intent of this vow is to conquer passion and to prevent the waste of energy. Positively stated, the vow is meant to impart a sense of serenity to the soul.
ENGLISH PRATIKRAMAN
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