YJA Convention 2002 07 NJ Fifth

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

Page 45

Forgive and Forget: Michhami Dukkadam
Sadhviji Shilapaji
The phrase "forgive and forget" is a very significant tenet our own lives more focused and balanced. Mere
to all religions. One may argue that the prime objective recitation of the verses of pratikraman without of all religions is to inculcate this feeling of doing good to understanding may not purify our inner being. others', and in the process, forgiving and forgetting that which has pained one's own heart. When Tirthankar Pratikraman is one of the most powerful internal Mahavir was asked what to give the definition of religion, methods of purification. However it must not be He said, 'Your own basic, intrinsic nature is religion, and performed in isolation. Other means of purification, our essential nature is love, compassion and kindness'. such as Prayashchit, (repentance), Vinay (humility),
Vaiyavrtaya (service to others), Swadhayaya (selfThus, all human beings want to act out of goodness, and study), Vyutsarg, (giving up prejudices and hurts), that any act of hatred and violence is a departure from and Dhyan (meditation) should be practiced our basic nature. Since we are not perfect human beings, simultaneously. The ritual of pratikraman has been we may perpetrate many mistakes intentionally or practiced in the Jain tradition for thousands of years. unintentionally, thus straying from and straining our basic However, this ancient practice is not easy. Special nature. Pratikraman- a ritual of which teaches us to forgive efforts are required by all of us in order to understand and forget - helps us to stick or to return to our basic nature its logic and meaning. and purify our heart and soul.
Micchami Dukkadam is a commonly used word in Traditionally a Sadhu and Sadhvi would perform the entire exercise of pratikraman, which simply partikraman immediately after every mistake, since it is means that I accept my wrong doings and put my believed that the soul should remain clean and pure at efforts to rectify it. The most difficult part of human every moment. The moment something wrong is being behavior, (which also requires much courage and done, it should be rectified immediately through self-analysis), is to accept our own mistakes. Yet pratikraman, in order to retain his or her peace of mind. overcoming such an obstacle places one on the path The exercise of pratikraman allows us to think about our of self-development and purification. I own mistakes and gives us a chance to rectify these situations. By doing regular pratikraman, we can make
notes:
44
Loin
E
SO
worriere Personat eny.
www.jtinelibrary.org