Pratikraman Observance Of Self Reflection

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Pratikraman - Observance of Self Reflection" by Pravin K. Shah:

The text explains Pratikraman as a fundamental daily practice in Jainism, emphasizing its role in spiritual purification and progress. It is classified as the fourth of the six essential daily practices (Avashyakas) prescribed by Jainism to help souls overcome inherent impurities like attachment and aversion, which manifest as anger, ego, deceit, and greed.

Core Meaning of Pratikraman:

• "Prati" means "back" and "kraman" means "to go." Therefore, Pratikraman is about "going back" – reflecting, reviewing, confessing, and atoning for transgressions committed through mind, body, and speech in daily activities.
• It signifies a return to and reaffirmation of the core Jain principles of nonviolence, truthfulness, and non-attachment.
• Essentially, it involves sincerely repenting and confessing one's faults, forgiving others, asking for forgiveness from others, and extending friendship to all.

Context within the Six Avashyakas:

Pratikraman is presented as one of six essential daily practices, which are:

1. Sämäyika (Equanimity): Cultivating equal regard for all beings and treating them as oneself, free from attachment and aversion.
2. Chaturvimshati-Stava (Devotional Prayer): Reverential worship of the 24 Tirthankaras, reflecting on their qualities (like Vitaraga – freedom from attachment and aversion). This can be external (using offerings) or internal (contemplating their qualities).
3. Vandana (Respecting Ascetics): Offering respectful salutations to Jain monks, nuns, Acharyas, and Upadhyayas.
4. Pratikraman (Repentance and Confession of Sins): The act of repenting and confessing past sins, and taking measures to prevent future ones.
5. Käyotsarga (Non-attachment to the Body): Rising above physical activities to focus on the inner self, developing detachment from the body.
6. Pratyakhyana / Pachchakhana (Religious Vows): Taking and declaring religious vows, which can be external (renouncing material things) or internal (renouncing impure mental states).

Evolution of the Term "Pratikraman":

While Pratikraman is technically the fourth Avashyak, in recent centuries, the term has evolved to encompass all six essential acts. This is because the Pratikraman ritual itself has been enhanced to include and integrate the performance of the other five Avashyakas. The ritual often begins with Sämäyika and incorporates elements of prayer, respect for ascetics, and contemplation on vows, culminating in renunciation.

Timing and Frequency:

• Pratikraman is ideally performed twice daily:
  • Räi Pratikraman (Morning): For atonement of transgressions during the night.
  • Devasi Pratikraman (Evening): For atonement of transgressions during the day.
• If daily observance is not possible, there are provisions for fortnightly (Pakkhi), quarterly (Chaumäsi), and yearly (Samvatsari) Pratikraman.
• The Samvatsari Pratikraman, performed on the last day of Paryushan, is the most significant annual observance that all Jains are encouraged to strive for.

Types of Pratikraman (and other Avashyakas):

The text differentiates between Dravya (external) and Bhava (internal) performance of these practices:

• Dravya Pratikraman: A ritualistic performance involving bodily and verbal actions, such as reciting scriptures, confessing faults, and declaring intentions to change. If one continues to commit sinful activities without change, this is considered superficial and harmful.
• Bhava Pratikraman: The internal, genuine transformation that results from the ritual. This involves minimizing or eliminating sinful activities in real life, leading to the purification of the soul. This is the truly beneficial form of Pratikraman.

The text highlights that true Bhava Pratyakhyana (internal renunciation) is not possible without Dravya Pratyakhyana (external renunciation), suggesting a gradual process of adopting simpler living before internal purification.

Eligibility and Conclusion:

The text concludes by emphasizing that Pratikraman is specifically for those who follow Jain vows. This includes monks and nuns (with their 5 great vows) and laypeople (with their 12 limited vows). The logic is that one can only repent and seek forgiveness for transgressions of vows if one is actively practicing them.

Therefore, it is recommended that all Jains strive to adopt the 12 vows of laypeople according to their capacity. By understanding the purpose and meaning of Pratikraman, individuals should regularly review these vows, particularly before Samvatsari, and aim to progressively improve their observance, ultimately leading towards complete renunciation and liberation.

In essence, Pratikraman is presented as a vital, multi-faceted practice that guides Jains towards self-awareness, ethical conduct, and spiritual liberation through introspection, repentance, and commitment to Jain principles.