Religious Prayascittas according to old Jaina Ritual

Author(s): Collete Caillat
Publisher: Z_Mahavir_Jain_Vidyalay_Suvarna_Mahotsav_Granth_Part_1_012002.pdf and Mahavir_Jain_Vidyalay_Suvarna_

Page 19

106 : SHRI MAHAVIRA JAINA VIDYALAYA GOLDEN JUBILEE VOLUME
morning to regret those of the night; at the end of every fortnight, of four months, of the year.
The ceremonial of the fortnightly repentance is known, thanks to a rather old text, the Pakkhiya-sutta,88 which has been commented upon by Yaśodeva. It can be summarized following the Pakkhiya-cunni.
The monks first complete their tasks. Then at sun-set, they recite the sāmāiya-sutta; they collect themselves, recalling all the faults they have committed during that day; they salute (namokkåra), recite the hymn to the 24 Jinas, clean themselves, express the praise (kiikamma). They prostrate themselves, then stand up, and confess following the order of precedence. The guru prescribes the pāyacchitta. They accept it, keep good spiritual dispositions, and recite the padikkamana-sutta. Standing, the guru recites his part, then sits down. The monks bow down and ask for mercy. The guru answers, asking for mercy too.89 The monks enumerate their faults: the eldest should begin, turning first towards the youngest, and asking him for pardon for his various transgressions.90 The latter, prostrate, makes anjali, and in his turn asks for pardon.
When all, the guru and the bhikkhus, have finished, they express the praise and proclaim that, after having regretted the faults of the day, they have regretted those committed during the fortnight. Then the guru exhorts to repent correctly : samman padikkamaha. After this, they should collect themselves, meditate upon the Law, recite sūtras, the great Vows, Lord Mahavira's praise, the eulogium of religious Tradition and the homage to its teachers, servants, and divinity. Then, prostrate, they recite the five Graces (khämei).91
In the main, the daily repentance follows the same ceremonial, though it is slightly less solemn.92
According to the above account, the ceremony is evidently public. And the Pravacanasära states that padikkamaņa must take place in front
88 Cf. Doctrine 159; 55. 89 icchămi khama-samaņo uvatthio mi abbhintara-pakkhiyam khāmeum.
- aham avi khãmemi tubbhe tti. The ritual is so established in order to inspire humility to every
one present. 91 Doctrine 159. 92 Pravacanasāra p. 39 a -40 b.
90