English Pratikraman - Observance of Self-Reflection

English Pratikraman

Observance of Self-Reflection
Original Verses
English Interpretations
For
Young Adults of North America
Second Edition (revised): April 2007

Anger, ego, deceit, and greed arising out of attachment and aversion are the soul’s impurities. To remove such impurities, Jainism has prescribed six essential practices (rituals) known as Ävashyaka to be performed daily of which Pratikramana is defined as the 4th Ävashyak.

The six practices are:

1. Sämäyika - Equanimity
2. Chaturvimshati Stava - Prayer
3. Vandanä - Respecting Ascetics
4. Pratikraman - Repentance and Confession of Sins
5. K äyotsarga - Non-attachment to the Body
6. Pratyäkhyäna / Pachchakhäna - Religious Vows
   

Monks, nuns, and devoted Jain laymen (Shrävaks and Shrävikäs) staunchly observe these rituals while others practice them occasionally. The annual Pratikraman that all Jains should strive to participate in is called Samvatsari Pratikraman, which is performed on the last day of Paryushan.

During the last few centuries, studies of Jain literature work indicate that the word “Pratikraman” is used as a common noun for all six essential acts (six Ävashyaka). This is also meaningful because during the course of time the Pratikraman ritual has been enhanced to include all six Ävashyaka.

Hence the entire Pratikraman ritual which covers all six Ävashyaka or six essential acts, occupies such an important place in the Jain tradition as does Sandhyä in the Vedic (Hindu) tradition, Namäj in the Islam, Kharavela Avesta in the Zoroastrian, and prayer in the Jewish and Christian traditions.

It is our humble attempt to bring together a simple Pratikraman ritual for the English speaking community of North America and other countries. In this ritual, we have maintained the traditional flavor of original sutras along with their essence and meaning.

The Pratikraman ritual is divided into six sub-section corresponding to each Essential. This way one will have clear understanding of the performance of each Essential. Also we have included the following 4 articles related to Pratikraman and Paryushan in the book. Please read these articles before performing the actual Pratikraman ritual.

1. Paryushan and Das Lakshana Parva
2. Pratikraman and Six Ävashyaka (Essential Rituals)
   Sämäyika - Equanimity
   Chaturvimshati Stava - Prayer
   Vandanä - Respecting Ascetics
   Pratikraman - Repentance and Confession of Sins
   Käyotsarga - Non-attachment to the Body
   Pratyäkhyäna / Pachchakhäna - Religious Vows
3. Twelve Vows of Laymen (Shrävaks and Shrävikäs)
4. 108 Attributes of the Five Supreme Beings
   

For English speakers, the Sutras may be difficult to pronounce without due practice. After understanding the purpose and meaning of the Pratikraman, one can either recite sutras or the explanation of sutras. This way one can complete this ritual within 48 minutes, which is the required duration of the Sämäyika ritual.

• You can download the entire book and use it during Paryushan / Das-laxana celebration: English Pratikraman.Pdf
  
  
• You can buy the Pratikraman book - Cost is $1.00 per book + postage (Minimum quantity of 5 books to order). Just send an e-mail to [email protected] with your postal address and telephone and we will mail it as soon as possible. For large quantity order we will ship via UPS such that it will arrive before Samvatsari day. Please send your payment after you receive the book.

Pravin K. Shah
[email protected]
Jaina Education Committee
Federation of Jain Associations In North America
http://www.jaina.org
919-859-4994

• Download the complete book

  Click on image to download the PDF.