Pratikraman

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Pratikraman (literally Sanskrit "introspection"), is a process of repentance of sins (prayaschit) during which Jains repent for their wrongdoings during their daily life, and remind themselves to refrain from doing so again.

Devout Jains often do Pratikraman at least twice a day.

There are five types of Pratikraman:

  1. Devasi
  2. Rayi
  3. Pakhi
  4. Chaumasi
  5. Samvatsari

Devasi Pratikraman is performed daily in the evening, Raysi Pratikraman is performed in the early morning, Pakhi Pratikraman is done once every fifteen days. Chaumasi Pratikraman is done once in four months on purnima (full moon day) of Kartik, Falgun and Ashaŗh months of lunar calendar year for the sins committed during that period. Samvatsari Pratikraman is done once per year on the last day of paryushana mahaparv for the sins committed during the whole year.

Samvatsari Pratikraman includes all six things a Jain must do:

  1. Samayik - maintain equanimity
  2. Chauvisanttho - honor the Tirthankars
  3. Vandana - honor all sadhus and sadhvis
  4. Pratikraman - repent wrongdoings
  5. Kayotsarg - meditation and prayer
  6. Pratyakhan - take vows to keep self-control

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