Jain Journal 2002 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 11

176
JAIN JOURNAL : Vol-XXXVI, No. 4 April, 2002
punishment for it so that the person does not form a habit of repeatedly committing the same mistake. It is considered tapas because it helps in the expiation of evil karmas.
The subject of prayaschitta and its various aspects is dealt with in great detail in Jain scriptures. In fact, there are as many prayaschittas as there are shades of faults or transgressions. Hence it is almost impossible to draw up an exhaustive list of all of them.
While prescribing prayaschitta, the general character and conduct of the transgressor, his capacity to bear the punishment, time, place, whether the sin has been committed once or repeatedly, wilfully or by mistake, etc., must be taken into consideration. Some minor faults are atoned just by voluntary confession, while others need punishment. Ten prayaschittas in the order of severity have been described in Jain scriptures. These are : confession; repentance; confession and repentance; discrimination; renunciation; penance; partial reduction of monastic seniority; absolute exclusion from the monkhood for a specific period and reordination thereafter; expulsion from the monastic order: and reiteration of faith.19
An unintentional or intentionally committed evil act must be confessed with an unperturbed mind, just as a child guilelessly tells his mother about all the good and bad acts done by him. He who expresses frankly and honestly becomes pure and free from mental agony.21 It is said that one must not conceal one's defects from a benevolent king, a physician, and a teacher.
(2) Humility (vinaya). Humility is considered the foundation of religious life and the basic virtue in Jainism. It is the gateway to liberation; through humility one can acquire self-control, penance and knowledge. How can there be religion or penance in one who is not humble ? By humility one honours the acharya and the Sangha. 23 If one elder is insulted, it amounts to insulting all. If one is venerated, all are venerated. 24
19. Ibid., 460. 20. Ibid., 461. 21. Ibid., 463, 464. 22. Culika (prayaschitta). printed by C.R. Jain, Allahabad, 1930; quoted by
Dayananda Bhargava, op.cit., p. 185. 23. Samana Suttam, op.cit., 469, 470. 24. Ibid., 468.