Shravak Samayik Pratikraman Sutra - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shravak Samayik Pratikraman Sutra," based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Shravak Samayik Pratikraman Sutra (Shravak's Samayik and Pratikraman Sutra) Author: Parshwa Mehta (as editor) Publisher: Samyaggyan Pracharak Mandal Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/034373/1

Overall Purpose: This text is a detailed guide for Jain laypeople (Shravaks and Shravikas) on how to perform Samayik (equanimity or meditation) and Pratikraman (repentance and confession of sins). It provides the rituals, the meaning of the prayers, and explanations of various concepts.

Key Components and Procedures:

I. Samayik (Equanimity/Meditation):

Preparation:
- Purify the place with a broom (poonji).
- Inspect the seat (pratilekhana) and spread it.
- Inspect and wear the Samayik attire (white clothes, scarf, mukhvastrika).
- Tie the mukhvastrika over the mouth.
Vandana (Salutation/Respect):
- Face the Guru or respected monks/nuns. If none are present, face the East, North, or Northeast (Ishaan corner).
- Perform three circumambulations with salutations using the Tikkhattō (three times) prayer.
- Vandana Method:
  - At "Tikkhattō," place both hands between the eyebrows.
  - At "Ayāhiṇaṃ," move hands from between the eyebrows, towards the right ear, around the neck, to the left ear, and back to the center of the forehead.
  - Repeat for "Payāhiṇaṃ" and "Karemi." Each salutation involves three such movements.
  - Kneel down and say "Vandāmi."
  - Bow down in Panchang (both hands, both knees, head) and say "Nam'sāmi."
  - Sit upright on the knees and recite up to "Pajjusāmi."
  - With "Matthaen Vandāmi," bow the joined hands and head towards the Guru's feet or the ground.
Samayik Prayer Recitation:
- Guru Vandana Sutra: Tikkhattō, Ayāhiṇaṃ, Payāhiṇaṃ, Karemi, Vandāmi, Nam'sāmi, Sakkāremi, Sammānemmi, Kallāṇaṃ, Maṅgalaṃ, Devayaṃ, Cheiyaṃ, Pajjusāmi, Matthaen Vandāmi. (These are recited with specific hand movements as described above).
- Navkar Mahamantra: The fundamental Jain mantra (Namo Arihantāṇaṃ... Eso Panca-ṇamokkāro, Savva-pāvappasaṇo. Maṅgalāṇaṃ ca savvesiṃ, Paḍhamaṃ havai maṅgalaṃ.). This is the core prayer, acknowledging the five supreme beings.
- Iryāpathik Sutra: This prayer is for confessing any harm caused to living beings (one-sensed to five-sensed) while walking, due to carelessness, negligence, or by stepping on them, crushing them, etc. It seeks forgiveness for any such transgressions. The text clarifies that "Michchhāmi" means "my fault."
- Ātma Shuddhi Sutra (Kāyotsarga intention): This section prepares the practitioner for Kāyotsarga (standing still, giving up body consciousness) by stating the intention for self-purification, penance, cleansing, and removal of inner impurities to destroy sins.
- Kāyotsarga Shuddhi: Acknowledging faults during Kāyotsarga (like improper thought, movement, etc.) and seeking forgiveness (Michchhāmi dukkaḍaṃ). Instructions are given on how to perform Kāyotsarga (standing or sitting).
- Logassa Sutra (Tirthankar Stuti): Recitation of the Logassa prayer, which praises the 24 Tirthankaras. It lists them by name and describes their virtues, seeking their blessings.
- Samayik Pratigya Sutra: The vow for Samayik is taken, renouncing sinful activities (Sāvajjajogaṃ paccakkhāmi) for a specified duration (jāvan niyamaṃ paḍḍjusāmi), committing to not causing or allowing them through mind, speech, or body.
- Shakra Stava (Namo Thunaṃ): A profound prayer praising the virtues of the Arihants, listing numerous divine qualities and their attributes, seeking their grace.
Activities during Samayik: Studying, contemplation, meditation, chanting, reciting prayers, listening to sermons.
Concluding Samayik:
- Perform Chouvisthav (similar to Tikkhattō ritual) for purification.
- Recite Navkar Mantra.
- Perform Kāyotsarga for one Logassa stanza.
- Recite Kāyotsarga Shuddhi and Logassa stanzas.
- Offer two Namo Thunaṃ salutations.
- Samayik Closing Sutras: Confess faults related to Samayik itself (e.g., not properly observing, improper attention, violation of vow). This includes confessing faults in mind, speech, and body, improper conduct, failure to remember Samayik, and performing it without proper observance. The text lists specific violations like engaging in frivolous talk (vikatha), dwelling on sensual desires (sangya), and overstepping boundaries (atikram, vyatikram, atichar, anachar).
- Final recitation of Navkar Mantra and concluding the Samayik.

II. Pratikraman (Repentance/Confession):

Initiation: Similar salutations (Tikkhattō) are performed.
- Chouvisthav Permission: Requesting permission to perform Pratikraman.
- Recitation of Navkar Mantra, Ichchhākaraṇeṇa, and Tassa Uttari up to Jhāṇeṇa, followed by Kāyotsarga for one Logassa.
- Kāyotsarga Shuddhi, Logassa, and two Namo Thunaṃ salutations.
Pratikraman Type Permission: Seeking permission for the specific Pratikraman (e.g., Deysik - daily, Rāyik - nightly, Pākkhi - fortnightly, Chātumāsik - quarterly, Sanvatsarik - annually).
First Essential (Āvaśyaka):
- Ichchhāmi ṇaṃ Bhante: Declaring the intention to perform Pratikraman and Kāyotsarga for reflecting on vows, their breaches, and faults.
- Recitation of Navkar Mantra and Tikkhattō salutations.
- Ichchhāmi Ṭhāmi: Performing Kāyotsarga with the intention to confess atichāras (minor faults) related to knowledge, perception, conduct, vows, and the Samayik itself. This involves reflecting on 99 atichāras (covering knowledge, faith, 12 vows, 15 karmādānas, etc.) and 18 sins (pāpasthāna). The prayer involves confessing any faults committed through mind, speech, or body.
Second Essential: Recitation of the Logassa Sutra and Tikkhattō salutations.
Third Essential:
- Ichchhami Khāmāsamaṇo: Seeking formal forgiveness from the Guru/seniors. This involves a specific ritual of bowing and reciting the prayer. The prayer expresses regret for any transgressions, asks for permission to repent, acknowledges the day's events, and seeks forgiveness for any offenses against the forgiving ones.
- Three Tikkhattō salutations follow.
Fourth Essential:
- Āgme Tividhe Sutra: Discusses the three types of scriptural knowledge (Sutrāgama, Arthāgama, Ubhayāgama) and confesses faults related to the study or understanding of these.
- Darshan Samyakva Sutra: Confesses faults related to right faith (faith in Arihants, Siddhas, Sadhus, and the teachings of Kevalis), including doubts, desires for other faiths, admiration of heretics, etc.
- Atichāras of Vows: Detailed confession of faults related to the 12 vows of a householder (5 main vows, 3 subsidiary vows, 4 disciplinary vows) and the 15 karmādānas (occupations). This section elaborates on specific transgressions for each vow and karmādāna.
- Sanlekhana Sutra: Confession of faults related to the final spiritual practice (Sanlekhana), which involves fasting and detachment before death.
- 99 Atichāras (Summary): A summary confession of all 99 atichāras related to knowledge, faith, vows, and tapas.
- 18 Papasthāna Sutra: Confession of the 18 types of sins (e.g., violence, falsehood, theft, lust, greed, anger, pride, deceit, illusion, attachment, aversion, quarrel, slander, tale-bearing, backbiting, pleasure-displeasure, deceitful speech, false belief).
- Tikkhattō salutations.
Fifth Essential:
- Prāyashchitta Sutra: Performing Kāyotsarga for atonement. This involves reciting Navkar Mantra, Ichchhākāreṇa, Tassa Uttari, and performing Kāyotsarga for Logassa (number varies by time of day/period).
- Kāyotsarga Shuddhi, Logassa, and two Namo Thunaṃ salutations.
- Three Tikkhattō salutations.
Sixth Essential:
- Samuchchaya Pratyākhyāna Sutra: Taking a vow for the period of Samayik, Pratikraman, or other religious observances, renouncing certain actions or intentions. It also involves confessing faults in reciting prayers, holding improper thoughts, etc.
- Concluding prayers and farewell salutations.

Key Concepts and Terminology:

Samayik: State of equanimity, meditation, or equal-mindedness.
Pratikraman: Repentance, confession of sins, returning to the right path.
Mukhvastrika: Cloth worn over the mouth by Jain monks and laypeople to avoid harming microscopic organisms.
Kāyotsarga: Stillness of the body, detachment from physical sensations, a form of meditation.
Atichāra: Minor faults or transgressions of vows.
Pāpasthāna: Sins or sinful activities.
Tikkhattō: A ritualistic salutation involving specific hand movements.
Namo Thunaṃ: A prayer of great reverence and praise.
Logassa: A prayer praising the Tirthankaras.
Navkar Mahamantra: The foundational Jain mantra.
Iryāpathik: Related to the path of movement and its potential harm.
Michchhāmi: "My fault" or "I confess."
Karma: Actions that bind the soul.
Panch Paramesthi: The five supreme beings: Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, Sadhus.
Vows (Vratas): Rules of conduct undertaken by Jain laypeople. The text details the 12 vows and their atichāras.
Pratyākhyāna: Renunciation or vow.

Emphasis: The book emphasizes the importance of meticulous observance of rituals, sincere introspection, confession of faults, and the purification of the soul for spiritual progress. It aims to guide lay Jains in diligently practicing these fundamental aspects of their faith to attain peace and spiritual merit. The detailed question-and-answer section at the end further clarifies the meaning and significance of various prayers and practices.