Pratikraman Meditation Review Your Life

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Pratikraman Meditation: Review Your Life" by Surendra S. Singhvi:

This booklet, "Pratikraman Meditation: Review Your Life," prepared by Surendra S. Singhvi, aims to explain the significance and practice of Pratikraman meditation, particularly for non-traditional followers of Jainism and younger generations who may find traditional rituals lengthy and difficult to understand. It expands upon an earlier summary by Gurudev Chitrabhanuji and incorporates suggestions from other Jain friends.

I. Introduction to Pratikraman:

• Meaning: "Prati" means "back," and "kraman" means "to go." Therefore, Pratikraman means "to go back and review one's daily activities."
• Purpose: The core purpose is to stop the inflow (samvara) of karmic particles that obscure the true nature of the pure Self (Atman), which possesses infinite consciousness, bliss, immortality, and energy.
• Mantras for Self-Transformation:
  • NA-HUM ("I Am Not That"): Used to detach from undesirable traits and patterns that are not in alignment with the pure Self.
  • SO-HUM ("I Am the Higher Self"): Used to reinforce identification with the qualities of the true, pure Self.
  • The process is likened to a postman sorting letters, keeping what belongs to the true Self and rejecting what doesn't. Guilt should be avoided; the focus is on observation and identification.
• Six Essential Steps of Meditation:
  1. Equanimity (Samayik): Achieving a state of calm and undisturbed mental balance.
  2. Appreciating the qualities of 24 Tirthankars (Chaturvimshati Stav): Praising the enlightened beings.
  3. Respect for Masters (Guru Vandana): Showing reverence to spiritual teachers.
  4. Review and Retreat (Pratikraman): Examining daily activities and withdrawing from negative ones.
  5. Detachment and Tuning to the Self (Kayotsarg): Releasing attachment to the body and focusing inward.
  6. Renunciation for Discipline (Pachchkhan): Committing to abstaining from certain activities for a set period.

II. Suggestions for Practice:

• Maintain physical cleanliness and wear clean clothes.
• Avoid using the restroom during the meditation.
• Observe silence throughout.
• Refrain from eating, drinking, and chewing.
• Prepare a clean handkerchief, rosary (mala), and seat (aasan).
• The practice begins with the vow of Samayik.

III. Samayik (Equanimity):

• Meaning: A state of calmness, evenness of mind, serenity, and composure, essential for practicing nonviolence. It involves self-control and abandoning thoughts driven by desire and aversion.
• Phases of Practice:
  1. Prologue: Taking the vow of Samayik by reciting Irya Vahiyae & Karemi Bhante Sutras.
  2. Main Practice: Studying scriptures and silently contemplating religious principles.
  3. Epilogue: Concluding the practice.
• Samayik is practiced by monks, nuns, and laypeople to gradually detach from external objects.

IV. Irya Vahiyae Sutra:

• This sutra expresses regret and seeks forgiveness for any harm caused to living beings while walking, coming, and going. It acknowledges the pain that may have been inflicted on beings with one to five senses, including elements, plants, and animals, knowingly or unknowingly. It is a plea for their forgiveness and an end to the ignorance that caused the harm.

V. The Vow of Samayik (Karemi Bhante Sutra):

• This sutra signifies taking a vow to refrain from all undesirable activities, worshiping the Bhagavan (Lord), and dedicating oneself to desirable actions through mind, speech, and body. It involves self-criticism for past demerits and a determination to free the soul from them.

VI. Namokar Mantra:

• This fundamental Jain mantra is recited, first with its meaning and then 27 times. It is an expression of reverence to the Arihants (enlightened beings), Siddhas (liberated souls), Acharyas (spiritual leaders), Upadhyayas (teachers), and all Sadhus (ascetics). It is considered highly auspicious and helps diminish negative vibrations.

VII. Logass Ujjjoyegare:

• This sutra praises the 24 Tirthankaras, describing them as shedding divine light and being founders of divine laws. It lists their names and expresses a desire for divine health, knowledge, and the highest state of consciousness, seeing them as brighter than moons and deeper than oceans.

VIII. Mangal Path:

• This path reiterates the auspiciousness of the Arihantas, Siddhas, Sadhus, and the Dharma expounded by Kevalins (omniscient beings). It states that these four are the most divine in the universe and expresses a commitment to take refuge in them exclusively.

IX. Guru Vandana:

• This section details the practice of showing respect to spiritual masters. It involves circumambulating them, bowing, and offering expressions of reverence and dedication. The "Ichchhami Khamasamaṇo" sutra is specifically for asking for forgiveness and blessings from a learned Guru.

X. Pratikraman Sutra:

• This sutra is a direct plea for forgiveness for any wrongdoings committed through thought, word, or deed. It includes powerful seed mantras (OM, HREEM, SHREEM, KLEEM, ARHUM) that invoke divine energies and consciousness.

XI. Sree Namutthunam:

• This is a comprehensive prayer of obeisance to the Arhats and Bhagavats, acknowledging their various roles as Adikaras, Tirthankaras, self-enlightened ones, leaders, guides, benefactors, and enligteners. It recognizes their liberation from fear, their knowledge, their mastery of the spiritual path, and their attainment of ultimate perfection. It also specifically pays homage to Bhagavan Mahavira.

XII. Pratikraman Meditation: Reviewing Principles:

• This section is a crucial part of the review process, focusing on the five core Jain principles:
  1. Ahimsa (Nonviolence): Detailed questions prompt reflection on actions, thoughts, and words towards self and others, as well as the encouragement of violence and harmful substances or media. Meditation on anger, pride, and greed follows.
  2. Satya (Truthfulness): Questions address honesty in thought, word, and action, and the avoidance of exaggeration, flattery, and pretense. It emphasizes speaking truth that does not create violence. Meditation on deceit is suggested.
  3. Asteya (Non-stealing): This principle questions taking what is not offered, including accepting bribes. Meditation on non-stealing is recommended.
  4. Brahmacharya (Celibacy/Chastity): Focuses on staying in one's Self, avoiding lustful thoughts and actions, wasting energy on fantasies, and using sexual energy to manipulate. Meditation on celibacy is advised.
  5. Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness): This principle examines acquisitiveness and possessiveness towards people or things, hoarding, and unnecessary purchases. Meditation on greed, jealousy, and insecurity is encouraged.
• After reviewing each principle, the Namokar Mantra is recited eleven times.

XIII. Meditation Statements:

• A series of affirmations guide the practitioner towards detachment, non-comparison, humility, aspiration for the three jewels (right belief, knowledge, conduct), treating others as oneself, focusing on the ultimate goal of moksha, maintaining healthy boundaries, not dampening others' energy, being mindful of humor, surrendering ego, fostering amity and compassion, and radiating light.

XIV. Kshamaapaṇa Sutra (Universal Friendship):

• This sutra is a heartfelt declaration of forgiveness towards all living beings and a request for their forgiveness. It establishes a feeling of friendship with all and the absence of enmity.

XV. Shanti Paath (Peace Prayer):

• This prayer is in praise of Lord ShantiNath and other Tirthankaras. It aims to overcome fears (water, fire, poison, etc.) and requests peace and well-being for all living beings in the world.

XVI. Kayotsarg (Meditation):

• This involves sitting straight, closing eyes, and reciting the Namokar Mantra 27 times (completing 108 repetitions). It is intended to help release past and present negative karmas and resulting stress.

XVII. Pachchkhan (Vow to give up):

• This is the practice of taking vows to control desires for a specific duration. Examples include abstaining from eating, drinking, anger, watching TV, arguing, or talking.

XVIII. Completing Samayik:

• This section outlines the procedures for concluding Samayik, acknowledging and seeking forgiveness for any faults committed during the practice, such as mistaken thoughts, speech, or actions, forgetfulness, improper procedure, or succumbing to instincts like eating, fear, sex, or possessiveness. It also warns against practicing Samayik out of pride, for fame, or greed.

XIX. Pratikraman Closing:

• The meditation concludes with a quiet recitation of one Namokar Mantra.

XX. Maitri Bhavana (The Immortal Song):

• This song, attributed to Chitrabhanu, expresses a deep desire for universal amity, wishing for the prosperity of the universe. It speaks of singing with joy at the sight of the virtuous, feeling empathy for the suffering, and offering help to those in need. It also encourages patience and the cultivation of goodwill, ultimately calling for all humanity to sing a song of concord.

XXI. Samaro Mantra:

• This mantra emphasizes the importance of remembering the Namokar Mantra in all circumstances, both happy and unhappy, day and night, living or dying. It highlights the mantra as the essence of scriptures, a giver of blessings and liberation.

Appendix:

• Significance of the Rosery (Mala): Explains that the 108 beads represent 108 qualities of praiseworthy souls (Arihantas, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, Sadhus).
• Types of Pratikraman: Lists different forms of Pratikraman based on the timing: Raysi (morning), Devsi (evening), Pakhi (fortnightly), Chaumasi (four-monthly), and Samvatsari (annual).
• Universal Forgiveness: Explains the practice of seeking forgiveness (Michchhami Dukkaram) after events like Samvatsari Pratikraman or Daslakshana. It also describes the symbolic use of a handkerchief during Samayik, either to prevent harming invisible beings or as a reminder of good qualities (acceptance) and rejection of bad qualities.

In essence, "Pratikraman Meditation: Review Your Life" provides a structured and accessible guide to a significant Jain spiritual practice, emphasizing self-reflection, ethical conduct, and the path to spiritual purification and liberation through a systematic review of one's life and alignment with Jain principles.