Pachchakkhans

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Pachchakkhäns" by Manu Doshi:

Introduction to Pachchakkhäns:

The book "Pachchakkhäns" by Manu Doshi aims to clarify the meaning and purpose of "Pachchakkhäns" (vows of restraint or austerity) in Jainism, which are often taken in the Ardhamagadhi or other Prakrit languages. Many Jains observing fasts and other religious ceremonies use these texts but may not understand their precise meaning. The author's goal is to present commonly used Pachchakkhäns in English with necessary explanations, addressing prevailing misunderstandings.

Definition and Significance of Pachchakkhän:

• Origin: The term "Pachchakkhän" is derived from "Pratyäkhyän," literally meaning to state for or against something. In Jain tradition, it signifies taking a vow to observe a specific austerity or restraint.
• Importance: Pachchakkhän is considered one of the six essential daily activities for householders in Jainism.
• Connotation: It has both positive (observing austerity) and negative (abstaining from certain items) connotations.

Categories of Food and Drink:

Jain tradition categorizes consumable items into four types for the purpose of vows:

1. Asanam: Eatables taken to satisfy hunger (meals like breakfast, lunch, dinner). Excludes snacks, fruits, and items for taste/odor like cloves.
2. Pänam: All types of drinks (water, juice, etc.).
3. Khäimam: Articles for temporary relief or refreshment (e.g., fruits, popcorn).
4. Säimam: Articles taken at the end of meals for odor or digestion (equivalent to "Mukhvas" or mouth fresheners).

Understanding Vow Modifications:

• Common Misconception: A prevalent belief is that once a Pachchakkhän is taken, it cannot be modified.
• Reality: The texts themselves provide for relaxation or modification of vows in certain situations. This belief often leads to undue rigidity in observance.

Categories of Pachchakkhäns (Time Factor):

Pachchakkhäns are often defined by the time they are to be observed. The book focuses on nine such categories. Key terms related to time include:

• Uggae Soore (or Soore Uggae): Literally "at sunrise." In practice, it means some time after sunrise, with specific durations defined by subsequent terms (e.g., 48 minutes for Namukkärsahiam, about three hours for Porisim).
• Namukkärsahiam (Navkärshi): Vow to abstain from food/drink until 48 minutes after sunrise. This period can be terminated by reciting the Navkärmantra. The purpose is to avoid immediate hankering for food upon waking and to dedicate early morning to spiritual activities. The 48-minute duration stems from ancient Indian timekeeping.
• Porisi: A period of about three hours (one Prahar). Time was measured by the sun's position and shadow length. A Prahar was one-fourth of the time between sunrise and sunset. Porisi marks the end of the first Prahar.
• Säddhaporisi: One and a half Prahars, approximately four and a half hours.

Symbolic Gestures:

Some Pachchakkhäns include symbolic gestures to maintain vigilance and indicate determination:

• Angutthasahiam: Keeping the thumb within the folded hand.
• Mutthisahiam: Keeping the palm closed. These gestures, typically with the right hand, are to be maintained until the vow is terminated.

The Concept of Ägär (Exceptions/Relaxations):

• Purpose: Every Pachchakkhän includes provisions for exceptions or relaxations ("Ägär") under specific circumstances. These are not meant for casual use but for extraordinary situations.
• Common Ägärs Explained:
  1. Anäbhogenam: Out of forgetfulness. If one accidentally breaks the vow due to forgetting it.
  2. Sahasägärenam: On account of sudden occurrence. For unintentional intake due to unexpected events (e.g., rain drops, food thrust into the mouth).
  3. Mahattarägärenam: Under the command of authorized persons (Sangha or Acharya). If religious leaders deem it necessary to forgo the vow for the good of the community or for significant reasons.
  4. Savvasamähivattiyägärenam: For the sake of overall peace and tranquility. If continuing the vow compromises one's equanimity. This is a crucial Ägär for maintaining inner peace, a primary goal of austerity.
  5. Pachchhanakälenam: On account of difficulty in judging time. When visibility of the sun is obstructed (clouds, storms), making time measurement difficult.
  6. Disämohenam: On account of delusion about direction. If one is unclear about the direction needed for time measurement.
  7. Sähuvayanenam: By the words of saints. Similar to Mahattarägärenam, but applicable to instructions from any saintly person.

Examples of Specific Pachchakkhäns:

The book details the texts and meanings of various common Pachchakkhäns:

1. Navkärshi Pachchakkhän: Abstaining from all four types of food and drink until 48 minutes after sunrise, terminable by reciting the Navkärmantra. The gesture "Mutthisahiam" is optional. The sincerity of observing even one Navkärshi is highlighted for mitigating severe Karma, emphasizing the importance of mental firmness and perseverance.

2. Porisi/Saddhaporisi Pachchakkhän: Similar to Navkärshi but extending the restraint to one Prahar (approx. 3 hours) or one and a half Prahars after sunrise. These vows often include the gesture "Mutthisahiam" and the Ägärs of Mahattarägärenam and Savvasamähivattiyägärenam are considered more pertinent due to the longer duration and potential difficulty.

3. Pachchakkhän for Egäsan/Beäsan (One/Two Meals):

   • Purpose: To overcome the tendency to eat whenever one desires and to practice "Unodari" (eating less than required).
   • Structure: The text is divided into three parts, covering different aspects:
     • Part 1: General restraint from sunrise until termination by Navkärmantra after a specified period (Porisi/Saddhaporisi), with various Ägärs.
     • Part 2: Avoiding "Vigay" (stimulating foods like milk, yogurt, ghee, oil, sugar, jaggery, fried foods), with specific Ägärs, some of which are more relevant to monastics.
     • Part 3: Observing one or two meals a day, while abstaining from the other categories and including further specific Ägärs related to food quality and circumstances of intake, particularly concerning water.

4. Pachchakkhän for Ayambil:

   • Purpose: To cultivate "Vruttisankshep" (curtailing tendencies) and "Rastyäg" (giving up tastefulness), essentially controlling the palate.
   • Practice: Similar to Egäsan but with stricter avoidance of fats, sucrose, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and most spices. The aim is to eat for survival, not for taste.
   • Text: Largely identical to Egäsan, but the Ägär "Paduchchamakkhienam" (allowing some ghee/oil) is omitted, and the vow specifies "Ayambilam Nivvigaium Pachchakkhäi" (observing Ayambil, avoiding all Vigays).

5. Pachchakkhän for Fasting (Upväs):

   • Anashan (Fasting with water): Abstaining from all food categories (Asanam, Khäimam, Säimam) for a day. The term "Abbhatattham" (not to eat) is used instead of "Upväs." The text includes common Ägärs and an additional one for disposal. It also covers abstaining from water for a specific period after sunrise.
   • Fasting without water (Pänhär): Abstaining from all four types of food and drink. The fast ideally begins the previous evening.

6. Pachchakkhäns for Evening:

   • Purpose: To refrain from food and/or water from sunset until the next daybreak.
   • Panhar Divascharimam: Vow to abstain from water from sunset until the next morning.
   • Other Evening Vows: Options to avoid all four, three, or two types of food and drink from sunset till the next morning, with common Ägärs.

Conclusion:

The book "Pachchakkhäns" provides a valuable resource for understanding these essential Jain vows. It demystifies the ancient Prakrit texts by offering clear English translations and explanations of the terms, categories, timeframes, gestures, and crucially, the built-in exceptions (Ägärs). By understanding these nuances, practitioners can observe their austerities with greater clarity, adherence, and spiritual benefit, avoiding rigid interpretations and embracing the flexibility provided by the tradition for maintaining peace and well-being.