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The Unknown Pilgrims
Out of the six aspects of pratikramaņa, it suffices to mention: kālapratikramaṇa, the moments during a day, a year or a life-time when pratikramana is obligatory. Generally, seven kala-pratikramaņas are distinguised.
daivasika: of the day, to be performed each evening;
rātrika: of the night, to be performed each morning;
iryäpathika: after goings and comings in the outside world;35
pākṣika: each fortnight;
căturmāsika: every four months;
samvatsarika: of the preceding year;
uttamartha: the final pratikramaṇa, that which precedes the Great Departure.
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With the exception of the iryapathika which consists in a single sūtra, the remaining pratikramaņas are composed of sūtras belonging to the daily rite, each one containing certain variations.36
The aim of these pratikramaņas performed at regular intervals is to sustain fervour, avoid carelessness and, by means of this interior discipline, help towards purification.37 The essential throughout is bhava-pratikramaṇa, the attitude of sincere penitence. The rite is of
35 Ir: go, move; irya: the movment from place to place of the itinerant ascetic and iryapatha, the path of the ascetic, hence: the precept which aims at not hurting any living being in one's comings and goings.
36 Cf. ADH VIII, 57; MA VII, 116.
37 Cf. SamSa 383; TS IX, 22 where alocană and pratikramaṇa are mentioned as forms of inner asceticism preparatory to dhyana; cf. P 369 ff.
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