Pratikraman Prayaschitt Ka Manovaigyanik Paksh - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Pratikraman Prayaschitt ka Manovaigyanik Paksh" by Acharya Kanaknandi Ji:

The book "Pratikraman Prayaschitt ka Manovaigyanik Paksh" (The Psychological Aspect of Pratikraman and Prayaschitt) by Acharya Shri Kanaknandi Ji explores the spiritual practice of Pratikraman and Prayaschitt (atonement or expiation) from a psychological perspective, in addition to its religious significance. The text emphasizes that Prayaschitt is a ritual performed to rectify offenses.

Core Concept: Prayaschitt as Inner Purification

Definition: Prayaschitt is defined as an act of penance (tapas karma) undertaken by a monk who, filled with remorse (samvega) and detachment (nirveda), seeks to correct an offense.
Etymology: The word Prayaschitt is broken down into "Prayah" (meaning people or the individual) and "Chitta" (meaning mind). Therefore, Prayaschitt is understood as an act that purifies the mind.
Impact of Offenses: When a person commits an offense, their inner self (antarātmā) becomes tainted. This impurity also affects how others perceive them, leading to a dual taint – internal and external. Until the offense is rectified, this impurity leads to a decline in patience, courage, self-respect, and ultimately, spiritual strength.
Process of Purification: Through Prayaschitt, involving self-awareness, seeking guidance from elders or gurus, and acknowledging the offense, individuals purify their inner selves. This purification leads to renewed patience, courage, vigor, and self-respect, thereby enhancing spiritual power. By admitting and rectifying mistakes, individuals also gain the trust and respect of others, leading to a collective purification of sentiments.

The Ten Types of Prayaschitt

The text outlines ten forms of Prayaschitt, which are considered a part of internal penance (ābhāntara tapa):

Ālocanā (Self-Revelation of Faults): Confessing one's faults to virtuous and detached gurus who understand the secrets of scriptures.
Pratikraman (Retrospection/Returning): Renouncing an offense by vowing never to repeat it, done without direct confession to a guru, typically for minor offenses or when a guru is not present. This emphasizes sincerity and the intention to prevent future transgressions.
Ubhay (Both): A combination of Ālocanā and Pratikraman, involving confession to a guru and vowing not to repeat the offense. This is mentioned for occasions like seeing bad dreams.
Vivek (Separation/Distinction): Separation from a community (gana), sect (gaccha), material possessions, or a specific place. This is undertaken when a fault cannot be directly rectified and may involve fasting or other penances along with community separation.
Vyutsarga (Renunciation/Non-Attachment): Practicing detachment from the body (kaya) through practices like kāyotsarga (standing still with detachment) for a specific duration. This helps in calming the mind, facilitating meditation, and purifying past karmas. It's often for those with strong physical and mental fortitude.
Tapas (Penance/Self-Control): Undertaking various forms of penance like fasting (upavasa), consuming minimal food (ācāmla), restricting oneself to a single meal per day (ekāśana), and abstaining from certain foods (nirvikruti). This is for individuals with strong senses, youth, and physical strength.
Ched (Cutting Off/Reduction): Reducing one's spiritual status or stage of renunciation (e.g., by shortening the period of initiation). This is for strong, courageous, and proud offenders capable of undertaking penances.
Mūla (Root/Beginning): Re-initiation after complete severance from the previous spiritual status. This is for those who have committed immense offenses and are straying from the righteous path.
Parihāra (Exclusion/Avoidance): Penances performed for offenses against rulers or important figures. This includes Anavasthāpya (long-term avoidance) and Pārāshchika (exile/exclusion). These involve prolonged periods of isolation, specific observances, and severe austerities.
Shraddhān (Faith/Belief): Reaffirming one's faith in the teachings and principles of Jainism after deviating into false beliefs (mithyātvā).

Psychological and Physiological Benefits

The book strongly links psychological well-being with these spiritual practices:

Stress and Disease: The text asserts that many mental and physical ailments stem from stress caused by unethical behavior, envy, hatred, anger, and the suppression of negative emotions. These suppressed feelings create mental imbalances, leading to psychological complexes and distorted emotions, which in turn manifest as physical and mental illnesses.
Self-Reflection as Therapy: Practices like introspection (ātmanirīkṣaṇ), self-acknowledgment of faults (svadoṣa svīkāra), self-analysis (ātma-viśleṣaṇ), repentance (paścāttāpa), self-criticism (nindā), and self-blame (gardā) are presented as crucial for resolving mental tension and emotional blockages. Without these, physical and mental illnesses are difficult to cure.
Mind-Body Connection: The text highlights how negative emotions like anger, sadness, and hatred affect the skin and facial appearance by altering blood circulation. Anxiety and stress disrupt digestion, leading to heart problems and other ailments.
Case Studies: Several examples illustrate the psychological healing power of admitting faults and seeking atonement:
- A man suffering from tuberculosis due to guilt over his wife's death found relief through self-reproach and psychological therapy.
- A patient with headaches and acidity was cured after confessing to defrauding his brother and making amends by writing a letter of apology and issuing a check for the embezzled amount.
- A young woman with eczema, caused by guilt over embezzling company funds, was cured after confessing her crime to her employer and seeking forgiveness. Her condition even improved, leading to a promotion.

Pratikraman in Daily Life

Morning and Evening Rituals: Jain practices include taking Prayaschitt in the morning for known or unknown offenses committed during the night, and in the evening for daily transgressions.
The Significance of Pratikraman: The core of Pratikraman is admitting faults. The Jain Pratikraman text includes verses expressing forgiveness towards all beings and seeking forgiveness from them, fostering a spirit of universal friendship and non-enmity.
Releases Mental Tension: The text explains that when a person commits an unjust act, their inner conscience recognizes it, disrupting mental peace and balance, which in turn affects the nervous system and hormonal balance. This mental imbalance leads to physical illness, which persists until the mistake is rectified.

In essence, Acharya Kanaknandi Ji's work provides a profound insight into how Pratikraman and Prayaschitt are not merely religious rites but powerful psychological tools for self-purification, healing, and regaining one's inner balance and spiritual strength, with significant benefits for both the individual and society.