Essence Of Pratikramana - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Essence of Pratikramana" by Vinod Kapashi, based on the provided pages:

Essence of Pratikramana by Vinod Kapashi

This book, published by Gnan Mandir Publication in London in August 1986, is presented as an accessible English version of the ancient Jain ritual of Pratikramana. The author, Vinod Kapashi, explains that the original Pratikramana text is often in Prakrit and old Gujarati, making it difficult for many Jains to understand. This "essence" version aims to preserve the main hymns and core practices for those eager to engage with this significant religious ritual.

Key Concepts and Purpose of Pratikramana:

Meaning: Pratikramana literally means "to go back" or "to review." It signifies a process of confession, repentance, and resolution. It's about returning to the good and noble path, specifically the path of non-violence (Ahimsa) and truth (Satya).
Spiritual Cleansing: It's a ritual designed for cleaning one's mind, purifying ideas, and making resolutions for spiritual progress.
Social Harmony: Beyond a personal ritual, Pratikramana embodies extending friendship, forgetting and forgiving others' faults, and sincerely seeking forgiveness from all living beings and God. The annual observance culminates in the phrase "Michchami Dukkadam" (May my faults be destroyed/forgiven), which is a systematic way of saying sorry.
Annual Observance: The longest and most significant Pratikramana is performed annually on the last day of the Paryushan festival.

How to Observe Pratikramana (as per the book):

Wear clean clothes (after bathing).
Sit in a quiet place.
Sit on a wooly cloth or shawl.
Keep a clean white handkerchief.
Keep the book in front and follow the instructions.

The Content of the "Essence of Pratikramana":

The book presents a sequence of key verses and practices, providing simplified English translations and explanations for each:

Navkar Mantra: The foundational Jain mantra, saluting the five supreme beings (Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, Sadhus). It's described as the destroyer of all sins and the foremost bliss.
Panchindiya: Salutations to those who control the five senses, observe celibacy vows, are free from faults, and adhere to ethical codes. It mentions 36 virtues possessed by a reverend teacher.
Ichchhami Khamasamno: A request for forgiveness from a compassionate being, expressing humility and renouncing ill feelings and sins.
Ichchhakr: A respectful address to a spiritual master, acknowledging their penance and wishing them peace, while requesting acceptance of offerings.
Jankinchi: Worship of all divine pilgrimages and idols of Jineshvaras (Tirthankaras) in this world and beyond.
Iriya Vahiya: A retraction from sins committed while moving about, acknowledging potential harm to various forms of life (one-sensed to five-sensed beings) due to walking, attacking, crushing, or disturbing them. It's a confession of sins of omission and commission.
Tassa Uttari: A renunciation of participation in actions that hinder the soul's progress, for the sake of sublimation, repentance, and purification.
Anatha: A wish for an uninterrupted and perfect dedication, with specific exceptions for unintentional actions during breathing, coughing, yawning, or natural movements. It emphasizes stillness, silence, meditation, and praise of the Lords before concluding a practice called "Kausagga."
Logassa: Praises and adoration for the Tirthankaras, the founders of the religion, the infinite knowers, and those who have attained liberation. It lists all 24 Tirthankaras and describes their qualities, seeking their blessings and emancipation.
Kareml Bhante Samayika: A statement of performing Samayika (equanimity, meditation) and renouncing sinful acts. It declares a commitment to not commit or approve of sins through mind, word, or body, and to retract, condemn, and renounce bad deeds.
Muhpatti Padilehan: A symbolic purification ritual using a Muhpatti (a piece of cloth held before the mouth to avoid harming micro-organisms). The steps involve unfolding it, making pleats, and moving it around the body while reciting phrases related to abandoning attachment, respecting noble beings, upholding right faith, renouncing pride and deceit, controlling anger and greed, and protecting all living beings.
Vandana: A formal exchange between a disciple and a Guru, where the disciple expresses the desire to worship, and the Guru grants permission.
Pachchakhan: A vow-taking ceremony. The individual holds their palm facing them and makes a fist, declaring a specific restraint for the day or period. Examples given include not eating after sunset, drinking after sunset, saying the Navkar Mantra before/after meals, careful movement, studying scriptures, and striving to be a true Jain.
Bhaktamar Stotra: Selections from this famous Jain hymn. The verses express deep humility, devotion, and faith in the Tirthankaras, comparing the devotee's effort to a child reaching for the moon or a deer fighting a lion. It highlights how sincere prayers can instantly destroy accumulated sins.
Namothunam (or Shakra-Stava): Obeisance to various categories of liberated souls and spiritual guides, including Arhats, Bhagavatas, Tirthankaras, self-enlightened ones, best men, guides, benefactors, liberators, givers of religion, masters of law, and those free from wrong knowledge and faith. It's a comprehensive salutation to the pure and perfect beings.
Snatasya: A description of the divine bathing ceremony (Snatra Puja) performed by Goddess Indrani for Lord Mahavir. The author expresses a desire to perform this puja and bows to Lord Mahavir, also mentioning the importance of the scriptures preached by Arihantas and compiled by disciples. It also includes a reference to worshipping the Yaksha Sarvanubhuti.
Kalyana-Kandam: Identifies key Tirthankaras (first Jina, Shantinath, Neminath, Parsva, Vardhamana) as the root of bliss. It describes the Tirthankaras as crossing the sea of Samsara (cycle of birth and death) and being guides to Moksha. It also invokes the Goddess of knowledge.
Meditation Statement: A declaration of patient suffering of all calamities, renouncing the body, food, passions, attachments, aversions, fears, sorrows, joys, and self-pity. It emphasizes equanimity towards life, death, gain, loss, victory, defeat, meetings, separations, friends, enemies, pleasure, and pain, attributing the cause of knowledge, vision, and conduct solely to the Soul.
Uvassagaharam: A prayer to Parsva-nath and his Yaksha for removing obstacles and misery. It states that surrender at Parsva-nath's feet is sufficient, negating the need for other mantras. It emphasizes the significance of his "Darshan" (vision/presence) as a jewel and a wish-fulfilling tree.
Santhara-Porisi: A reflection on the eternal soul, its modes, and the misery caused by incident-related feelings. It expresses renunciation of such feelings and affirms faith in Arihanta and Siddha as Gods, truth as Dharma, and the pursuit of that truth. It includes a universal plea for forgiveness and expresses good wishes to all creatures, concluding with surrendering to the Lord.
Jay-Viyray: Folded hands are raised above the head in a gesture of victory and salutation. It's a prayer for guidance to liberation and religion, fulfillment of noble dreams, elimination of bad thoughts, service to the elderly and needy, friendship with all, and removal of karma particles and obstacles. It praises Jainism as the foremost religion.
Sat Lakh: A detailed enumeration of living beings in the universe, categorized by their sensory faculties and realms of existence, totaling 8.4 million types. It includes a confession and repentance for any harm caused to these beings, directly or indirectly.
Eighteen Ways of Sin: Lists eighteen common ways of engaging in sinful acts, including violence, falsehood, theft, unfaithfulness, anger, pride, illusion, greed, attachment, aversion, quarrel, backbiting, cruelty, mixed love-hate attitudes, criticism of others, misleading talk, and false theories.
Atichar: Explains the foundational principles of Jainism: Right Knowledge, Right Faith, and Right Conduct. It elaborates on how to obtain right knowledge (study with humility, respect elders), right faith (open mind, not desiring false ideology), and good conduct (five controls, mind, speech, action). It also details the 12 types of penance (6 external, 6 internal) and the proper use of energy for charitable and religious activities, emphasizing staying within the boundaries of good character.
Vanditu: A confession and repentance for faults related to right knowledge, right faith, and right conduct, including minute faults and major offenses. It also retracts from the acquisition of wealth and actions motivated by anger, greed, pride, illusion, attachment, or jealousy, across all aspects of life. It specifically addresses faults related to cooking and approving of cooking that violates non-violence principles.
Sansar-Dava: Compares the Tirthankaras to elements that extinguish the fire of Samsara, clean ignorance, clear sin, and are noble and great like Mount Meru. It includes bowing to Jina, whose crown is decorated and who fulfills devotees' desires, and also worships the Goddess of knowledge.
Duties of Shravakas: Outlines the responsibilities of lay followers in Jainism, including following Jineshvar, abandoning futile theories, adopting a balanced attitude, keeping vows, being charitable, studying, meditating, worshipping, visiting sacred places, maintaining peace and forgiveness, fostering friendship, protecting living beings, respecting the Sangha, and engaging in scriptural work.
Essence of Brahad Shanti: A message for all living beings, stating that Arihant and supreme beings bring eternal peace. It highlights the blessedness of the land of Bharat, Eravat, and Mahavideh by the birth of Arihant Bhagvan and describes the divine bathing ceremony performed by Gods. The author also sings a song of praise.
Abhuthio (Abhbhuthio): A prayer for forgiveness for overlooked politeness, harmful speech, promoting self-image, showing off, and seeking unfair advantages, whether done knowingly or unknowingly. It specifically asks for forgiveness for ignorance and selfish behavior.

Publisher's Note:

Gnan Mandir aims to promote knowledge and preserve Indian culture and heritage by publishing books on religion and spiritual upliftment in Gujarati, Hindi, and English. They are a non-profit organization seeking support and distributing some books for free.

In essence, "Essence of Pratikramana" serves as a practical guide and devotional text, making the profound ritual of Pratikramana accessible to a wider audience by translating and explaining its core components, thereby fostering spiritual introspection, repentance, and a deeper understanding of Jain principles.