YJA Convention 1996 07 San Francisco CA

Author(s): Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA

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Sat-Lakh Sutra: This sutra briefly describes the 8.4 million types of species that exist in this world, according to Jainism. This sutra symbolically asks for forgiveness for any violations that we have done over the past year involving hurting any of the other animals.
Vandittu Sutra: This powerful sutra is a heavily detailed description of all the different faults and sins that we do. We talk about our repentance, and our respect for the twelve major vows.
Atichara Sutra: This is a longer version of the Vandittu Sutra, but done during the bi-weekly Pratikraman (pakkhi)
Laghu-Shanti Sutra: This is a prayer to dispel the calamity of our community. It is done in the daily version of the Pratikraman ceremony.
. Brhacchanti Sutra: This is a peace prayer for the entire world, done during Pakkhi Pratikraman
SAMAYIK: THE RITUAL
Along with Pratikraman, Samayik is practiced by all religious sects. It is a 48 minute ritual that asks for forgiveness of one's sins.
PREPARATION OF SAMAYIK
In order to start Samayik, a very specific procedure must be followed. First, the Sthapanaji, a book containing the Namokar Mantra and the Panchendiya Sutra on a special stand, must be set up. In order for this to happen, one must put their right hand palm over the Sthapanaji, with their left hand covering their mouth with a muhpatti, they must recite the Namokar Mantra and the Panchendiya Sutra. Then the Iriavahiya Pratikraman must be performed. In this ritual, the Eriavahiya Sutra, the Tassa Uttari Sutra, the Annatha Sutra, Kaussaga, and the Logassa Sutra are said. These sutras ask for forgiveness from all living beings, recite the sins that are not allowed during Kaussaga, and offers respect to the 24 Tirthankars, respectively. Kaussaga is a state of meditation during which one says the Namokar Mantra four times or the Loagassa Sutra once. Then permission is asked from the guru to perform Samayik. The guru then recites the Karemi Bhante Sutra, which is the most important sutra of the preparation of Samayik. In it, one pledges to stay away from all sin during the next 48 minutes of Samayik. Then, with one sitting on their feet, three Namokars must be said. One can now begin the actual Samayik.
WHAT TO DO DURING SAMAYIK
During the 48 minutes of Samayik, one must read or study Jain philosophy. Read Jain stories, meditate, or pray.
PROCEDURE TO END SAMAYIK
First, the Eriavahiya Pratikraman must be performed again. Then one must ask the guru permission to stop Samayik. Then, one must place their right hand, palm facing up, over the Sthapanaji. The left hand should be covering the mouth with the muhpatti. In this position, one Namokar must be said, and Samayik is over.
MISTAKES TO AVOID IN SAMAYIK OR PRATIKRAMAN
• Ten Mental Lapses: During Samayik or Pratikraman, we concentrate our minds. So we keep our thoughts and body steady, without movement. There are thirty-two different kind of mistakes that we should avoid, as listed
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