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23) In this Our Life
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Coming to the Sikşāvratas, the Srāvaka has to practise four of them : i) samayika, ii) desavakašika iii) proşadhopavāsa, and iv) atithi-samvibhāga. Samāyika is one of the important practices for the layman; and it is one of the six a vasyakas (necessities) for the lay man and also for the ascetic for whom it has to be practised lifelong. It consists in the attainment of equanimity and tranquility of mind.88 It is a process of becoming one (ekatvagamana), of fusion of body and mind and speech with the Ātman.SSāmāyika may be performed in one's own house or in a temple, in the presence of Guru or in a specially built hall, according to the needs of the time and individual. Sometimes a distinction is made between the ordinary laymen, affluent men, and men of official status. Special procedure for Sāmāyika is laid down with the intention of increasing the prestige of the Jaina community by emphasising the fact that he has adhered to the sacred doctrine.86 In performing the Sāmāyika one should observe the five Samitis and three Guptis and avoid all harmful speech. He should recite pratyākhyāna avoiding harmful actions and pratikramana expressing remorse for past deeds and pray (ālocana) that whatever acts in speech, mind and body made by him in the past may be atoned for. It is to seek forgiveness for what has been done so far. During the period of samäyika the layman becomes like an ascetic.86 Samantabhadra shows that a layman performing samayika is like an ascetic draped in clothes, 8? although this likeness is only apparent like the description of a woman as candramukhi. Sāmāyika has to be performed at regular intervals of the day. The object of this practice is to gain mental equanimity surcharged with righteousness. Desavakāśikavrata is a modified version of Digvrata. It restricts
33. Tatı vārt hasūtra with Siddhasena's comm. vii-15. 34. Tattvärtha-sūtra with Pūjy apada's Sarvathasiddhi vii. 2. 35. Williams (R.). Jaina Yoga vi. 132 36. À vas yaka-sūtra with Hemacandra's commentary, (1916). 37. Ratnakarand aka grāvakācāra, iv. 12. 38. Ävas yaka-sutra with Haribhadra's commentary p. 833.
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