Mulachar Me Pratikraman Evam Kayotsarga

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Mulachar me Pratikraman evam Kayotsarga," in English:

This document, compiled by Dr. Shweta Jain and published in the "Jinavani" journal, discusses the concepts of Pratikraman and Kayotsarga as presented in the Moolachar text. Moolachar, a Digambara/Yapanīya work authored by Vattakera in the Sauraseni language, contains approximately 190 verses in its chapter on the six essential duties (Shatavashyaka). The article presents select verses related to Pratikraman and Kayotsarga with their Hindi translations and explanations from Vasunandi's Aachara Vritti.

Pratikraman (Atonement/Repentance)

• Definition: Pratikraman is defined as the purification of offenses committed concerning substance (dravya), place (kshetra), time (kala), and attitude/intention (bhava), performed through mind, speech, and body, accompanied by self-condemnation (ninda) and confession (garha).

  • Ninda (Self-Condemnation): This involves acknowledging one's faults internally, witnessing them oneself.
  • Garha (Confession): This is the open declaration of faults to a spiritual guide or elders. The difference lies in whether the confession is internal (ninda) or external (garha).
  • Pratikraman is the act of turning back from unwholesome actions and intentions, returning to one's vows.

• Types of Pratikraman: The text outlines three types of Pratikraman:

  1. Sarvatichara Pratikraman: The atonement for all faults committed from the time of initiation up to the present.
  2. Trividha Ahar Tyaga Pratikraman: The renunciation of the three types of food (impliedly, gross, subtle, and mental nourishment).
  3. Uttamartha Pratikraman: The ultimate atonement, which involves the lifelong renunciation of even subtle forms of sustenance like panaka (liquids/juices) for the sake of liberation.

• Types of Offenses for Pratikraman: Pratikraman is also described as the atonement for:

  • False belief (mithyatva)
  • Lack of restraint (asanyama)
  • Passions/afflictions (kashayas)
  • Unfavorable states of mind/actions (aprasastha yogas)

• Importance of Inner Attitude: It is emphasized that Pratikraman performed without inner contemplation and sincerity (i.e., only outwardly) will not achieve its intended purpose. Conversely, a Pratikraman performed with genuine inner engagement leads to significant karmic shedding and spiritual progress.

Kayotsarga (Abandonment of the Body/Equanimity)

• Definition: Kayotsarga is the practice of abandoning attachment and identification with the body, performed by one who desires liberation (moksha), has conquered sleep, is proficient in scriptures and their meanings, is pure in action, and is endowed with inner strength and vigor.

• Duration of Kayotsarga:

  • The uttam (highest) duration is one year.
  • The jaghan'ya (lowest) duration is antarmuhurta (an infinitesimal moment within a moment).
  • Other Kayotsarga practices are performed in various contexts.

• Number of Breaths (Uchchvasas) in Kayotsarga: The text specifies the number of uchchvasas (breaths, indicating the duration of concentration) for various Kayotsarga practices, particularly for an apramatta (non-negligent) monk:

  • Daily (Daivasika): 108 uchchvasas.
  • Nightly (Ratrika): Half of the daily count, which is 54 uchchvasas.
  • Fortnightly (Pakshika): 300 uchchvasas.
  • Four-Monthly (Chaturmasika): 400 uchchvasas.
  • Annual (Samvatsarika): 500 uchchvasas.

• Kayotsarga for Specific Transgressions:

  • For transgressions related to himsa (violence), asatya (falsehood), adatta (stealing), maithuna (sexual misconduct), and parigraha (possessions), 108 uchchvasas are to be performed.
  • For activities like eating/drinking, traveling to other villages, visiting sacred sites (Arhats' birth/enlightenment places) or monks' residences, and excretion, 25 uchchvasas are prescribed.
  • At the beginning of a text (Uddesha), at its conclusion (Nirdesha), during study (Svadhyaya), for salutation (Vandana), and when experiencing negative states of mind (Ashubh Parinam), 27 uchchvasas are to be performed.

• Purpose of Kayotsarga: Kayotsarga is performed in the path of liberation (mokshamarga) to purify the iryapatha (path of movement) transgressions. By abandoning attachment to the body, monks practice Kayotsarga to end suffering.

• Types of Kayotsarga based on Posture and Meditation: The commentary explains four types of Kayotsarga based on posture and the type of meditation performed:

  1. Upavishtopavishta: Practiced while seated, contemplating Arta (painful) and Raudra (fierce) meditations.
  2. Upavishtotthita (or Utthitopavishta): Practiced while seated, contemplating Dharma (righteous) and Shukla (pure) meditations. Note: The text mentions "Upavishtotthita" in verse 675's commentary referring to sitting and contemplating Dharma/Shukla, and "Upavisthothita" for standing and contemplating Arta/Raudra. The latter seems to be a typo in the provided text and is generally understood as Utthitopavishta.
  3. Utthitopavishta: Practiced while standing, contemplating Arta and Raudra meditations.
  4. Utthitotthita: Practiced while standing, contemplating Dharma and Shukla meditations.

• Qualities of Those Performing Kayotsarga: Dheera (brave) monks perform Kayotsarga without deceit, with specific details, and in accordance with their strength and age, for the destruction of suffering.

In essence, the article highlights that Moolachar provides a detailed framework for these crucial Jain practices, emphasizing the importance of both outward ritual and inner intention for spiritual purification and progress towards liberation.