Spiritual Code and Restraints

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 54

Of the twelve restraints for laymen, we have by now examined five minor restraints and three auxiliary ones. Now we have to consider four disciplinary ones. As a matter of fact, they are the disciplines and not the restraints. The restraints are cast in negative form in the sense of not doing something or restraining therefrom. The disciplines, on the other hand, are cast in positive form in the sense of performing something. The first of them is Sämäyik. There are following six rituals that a layman is supposed to perform every day.
1 Sämäyik, practicing of equanimity 2 Chaturvinshati-Stav, praying to 24 Tirthankars 3 Guru Vandan, offering obeisance to preceptor 4 Pratikraman, turning back from transgressions 5 Käyotsarga (Käusagga), concentration and meditation 6 Pratyakhyan (Pachchakhän), taking appropriate vows
The Sanskrit term for essential is Ävashyak. These six essentials are therefore known as six Avashyaks. Of these, Sämäyik is the first and foremost. Foremost in the sense that no other activity is considered spiritually more significant than Sämäyik. The term Sämäyik is made up of the words 'Sam' meaning equanimity and 'Ay' meaning incoming. The termination Ik is applied to show that what brings forth equanimity is Sämäyik. Alternately, the term can be derived from Samay which means soul. As such, the activity that deals with soul is Sämäyik. In other words, when a person remains soul oriented, he can be said to be staying in Sämäyik.
Bhagavati Sutra defines Sämäyik as dwelling in self-equanimity. This is given from the absolute point of view. From the practical point of view Achärya Hemchandräsuri defines it as giving up worldly involvement and staying in equanimity for 48 minutes. As such, equanimity, soul orientation, peace of mind etc. can be considered synonyms of Sämäyik.
Sämäyik is the exercise for gaining equanimity. It is a pertinent tool for the ailing human community that at present stands torn on account of worries and afflictions arising from misery, poverty, shortage, disease, disputes, etc. At present, people everywhere happen to be living under stress. They resort to various ways and means to gain peace of mind that unfortunately eludes them. Jainism offers for this purpose the tool of Sämäyik that can guarantee the peace of mind. Some people may perhaps consider this as too tall a claim, because they might have noticed many Jains regularly performing Sämäyik and still remaining bereft of peace. This happens because people usually perform it mechanically as a lifeless ritual. The results expected from true Sämäyik, cannot come forth from such mechanical performance and the people then lose faith in the efficacy of this vital tool.
Peace is a function of mind. Mental apparatus has to be properly exercised, if one wants to experience real peace. Ample evidence is now available to show that one can gain peace of mind by concentration and meditation. Sämäyik is essentially an exercise of this type and it can lead the aspirant to equanimity and peace. During Sämäyik, the aspirant learns to stay away from all sorts of craving and aversion and to stay tuned to the nature of soul. This tuning is not easy. One has to practice it repeatedly by meditating about the true nature of soul. If one is not used to meditation, he can initially devote his time in