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Pratikramaṇa
''Pratikramana'' (; also spelled ''Pratikraman'') (lit. "introspection"), is a ritual during which Jains repent (''prayaschit'') for their sins and non-meritorious activities committed knowingly or inadvertently during their daily life through thought, speech or action. Pratikramana also refers to a combition of six ''avashyaks'' (essential rituals), being '' Samayik'' (state of total equanimity), ''Chauvisantho'' (honoring the 24 Tirthankars), ''Vandana'' – (offering salutations to ''sadhus'' (monks) and ''sadhvis'' (nuns)), ''Pratikramana'' (introspection and repentance), ''Kayotsarga'' (meditation of the soul) and ''Pratyakhyan'' (renunciation). Although frequency of repenting varies, devout Jains often practice Pratikraman at least twice a day. It is one of the 28 primary attributes (''mūla guņa'') of both Śvētāmbara and Digambara monks. Etymology ''Pratikramana'' is the combination of two words, ''Pra'' meaning "return" and ''atikramana'' meaning "violation". ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jainism
Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion whose three main pillars are nonviolence (), asceticism (), and a rejection of all simplistic and one-sided views of truth and reality (). Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four , supreme preachers of ''dharma''. The first in the current time cycle is Rishabhadeva, who tradition holds lived millions of years ago; the 23rd is Parshvanatha, traditionally dated to the 9th century Common Era, BCE; and the 24th is Mahāvīra, Mahavira, who lived . Jainism is considered an eternal ''dharma'' with the guiding every time cycle of the Jain cosmology, cosmology. Central to understanding Jain philosophy is the concept of ''bhedavijñāna'', or the clear distinction in the nature of the soul and non-soul entities. This principle underscores the innate purity and potential for liberation within every Jīva (Jainism), soul, distinct from the physical and menta ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jain Monks
Jain monasticism refers to the order of monks and nuns in the Jain community and can be divided into two major denominations: the ''Digambara'' and the '' Śvētāmbara''. The monastic practices of the two major sects vary greatly, but the major principles of both are identical. Five ''mahāvratas'' (Great Vows), from Mahavira's teachings, are followed by all Jain ascetics of both the sects. Historians believe that a united Jain ''sangha'' (community) existed before 367 BCE, about 160 years after the ''moksha'' (liberation) of Mahavira. The community then gradually divided into the major denominations. However, no evidences indicate when the schism between the Digambaras and the Śvetāmbaras happened. Terminology ''Digambaras'' use the word ' for male monastics and '' aryika'' for female monastics. '' Svetambara monks'' are also called ''nirgrantha'' (without bonds). '' Śvētāmbaras'' also use the word ' for male monastics but use the term ''sadhvis'' for female monast ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kayotsarga
Kayotsarga ( , ) is a yogic posture which is an important part of the Jain meditation. It literally means "dismissing the body". A tirthankara is represented either seated in yoga posture or standing in the kayotsarga posture. ''Kayotsarga'' means "to give up one's physical comfort and body movements", thus staying steady, either in a standing or other posture, and concentrating upon the true nature of the soul. It is one of the six essentials (''avasyaka'') of a Jain ascetic and one of the 28 primary attributes of a Jain monks and nuns. Twenty-one of the tīrthankaras of Jainism are said to have attained '' moksha'' in the kayotsarga “standing meditation” posture. An example of unflinching standing meditation is that of '' Arihant Bahubali'' who is said to have stood in kayotsarga for a year. Sāmayika In performing ''sāmayika'' (daily meditation), the ''śrāvaka'' has to stand facing north or east and bow to the '' Pancha-Parameṣṭhi''. He then sit down and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Digambara
''Digambara'' (; "sky-clad") is one of the two major Jain schools and branches, schools of Jainism, the other being ''Śvetāmbara'' (white-clad). The Sanskrit word ''Digambara'' means "sky-clad", referring to their traditional monastic practice of neither possessing nor wearing any clothes. Nakedness was the ideal practice of lord Mahavira and his immediate followers. Mahavira emphasized the importance of nakedness for monks. It symbolizes complete detachment and is an ideal form of conduct. Mahavira believed that renouncing clothes made the body immune to external influences like heat and cold, increasing resilience. Without clothes, a monk would avoid the distractions of acquiring, maintaining, and washing garments, allowing him to focus on spiritual growth and self-discipline. Digambara and Śvetāmbara traditions have had historical differences ranging from their dress code, their temples and iconography, attitude towards female monastics, their legends, and the texts the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Samvatsari
''Saṃvatsari'' () (lit. Annual Day or fig. Forgiveness Day) is the last day of '' Paryushana'' according to the Śvetāmbara sect of Jainism. It falls on Shukla Choth each year in the Jain calendar month of Bhadrapada, somewhere between the middle of August and September in the Gregorian calendar. On this day, Jains forgive and seek forgiveness for their mistakes committed, knowingly or unknowingly, on all the living beings. A yearly, elaborate penitential retreat called "''samvatsari pratikramana''" is performed on this day. After the ''pratikramana'', Jains seek forgiveness from all the creatures of the world, including friends and relatives by uttering the phrase — '' Micchami Dukkadam'' or its variants like "Khamau Sa", "Uttam Kshama" or "Khamat Khamna". Etymology Samvatsari is derived Sanskrit language. '' Samvatsara'' refers to a "year" in Vedic literature such as the ''Rigveda'' and other ancient texts. Thus, Samvatsari literally refers to a day that comes a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vira Nirvana Samvat
The ''Vira Nirvana Samvat'' (era) is a calendar era beginning on 7 October 527 BCE. It commemorates the nirvana of Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara. This is the oldest system of chronological reckoning which is still used in India. History The earliest text to mention 527 BCE as the year of Mahavira's nirvana is Yati-Vrishabha's '' Tiloya-Pannatti'' (6th century CE). Subsequent works such as Jinasena's '' Harivamśa'' (783 CE) mention the Vira Nirvana era, and give the difference between it and the Shaka era (beginning in 79 CE) as 605 years, 5 months & 10 days. On 21 October 1974, the 2500th Nirvana Mahotsava was celebrated (according to the Indian national calendar) by Jains throughout India and overseas. Usage The Jain year Vira Nirvana Samvat is obtained by adding 469 or 470 years to the Kartikadi Vikram Samvat. For example, The Vira Nirvana Samvat 2544 started right after Diwali of 20 October 2017 on Vikram 2074, Kartika Krishna Amavasya (Chaitradi and Purnimanta). ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Paryushana
Paryushana is an annual holy event in Jainism and is usually celebrated in August, September or October in the Hindi calendar month of Bhadrapad's Shukla Paksha. Jains increase their level of spiritual intensity often using fasting and prayer/meditation to help. The five main vows are emphasized during this time. There are no set rules and followers are encouraged to practice according to their abilities and desires. The event lasts for 8 days and ends with the celebration of (forgiveness day). Meaning The word "" means "abiding and coming together". It is a time when the Jains take on vows of study and fasting. Observances Many towns have a procession leading to the main Jain temple. ''Ananta Chaturdashi'' marks the day when Lord Vasupujya, the 12th Jain Tirthankar, attained ''Moksha'' (''nirvana''). At the conclusion of the festival, followers request forgiveness from others for any offenses committed during the preceding year. Forgiveness is asked by saying " Micc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Śrāvaka (Jainism)
In Jainism, the word Śrāvaka or Sāvaga (from Jain Prakrit) is used to refer to the Jain laity (householders). The word ''śrāvaka'' has its roots in the word ''śrāvana'', i.e. ''the one who listens'' (to the discourses of the saints). The ''tirthankara'' restores or organises the '' sangha'', a fourfold order of ''muni'' (male monastics), '' aryika'' (female monastics), '' śrāvaka''s (male followers) and ''śrāvikā''s (female followers). In Jainism, there are two kinds of votaries: *The householder (one with minor vows) *The homeless ascetic (one with major vows). According to the Jain text '' Puruşārthasiddhyupāya'': Ratnakaranda śrāvakācāra, a major Jain text, discusses the conduct of a Śrāvaka in detail. Six essentials In Jainism, six essential duties (''avashyakas'') are prescribed for a ''śrāvaka''. These help the laity in achieving the principle of ahimsa which is necessary for his/her spiritual upliftment. The six duties are: #Worship of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tirthankara
In Jainism, a ''Tirthankara'' (; ) is a saviour and supreme preacher of the ''Dharma (Jainism), dharma'' (righteous path). The word ''tirthankara'' signifies the founder of a ''Tirtha (Jainism), tirtha'', a fordable passage across ''Saṃsāra (Jainism), saṃsāra'', the sea of interminable birth and death. According to Jains, ''tirthankaras'' are the supreme preachers of ''dharma'', who have conquered ''saṃsāra'' on their own and made a path for others to follow. After understanding the true nature of the self or soul, the ''Tīrthaṅkara'' attains ''kevala jnana'' (omniscience). A Tirthankara provides a bridge for others to follow them from ''saṃsāra'' to ''moksha'' (liberation). In Jain cosmology, the wheel of time is divided into two halves, Utsarpiṇī', the ascending time cycle, and ''avasarpiṇī'', the descending time cycle (said to be current now). In each half of the cycle, exactly 24 ''tirthankaras'' grace this part of the universe. There have been infini ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
