The Sanskrit term Poṣadhapratimā can be transliterated into English as Posadhapratima or Poshadhapratima, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Poṣadhapratimā (पोषधप्रतिमा) or simply Poṣadha represents the fourth of eleven pratimā (stages) laid down for Jain laymen. Poṣadhapratimā refers to “fasting regularly, as a rule, twice a fortnight in each lunar month” according to J. L. Jaini in his “outlines of Jainism” (pp. 67-70). It is also known as Poṣadhopavāsapratimā, Proṣadhapratimā or Proṣadhopavāsapratimā.

These pratimās (e.g., poṣadha-pratimā) form a series of duties and performances, the standard and duration of which rises periodically and which finally culminates in an attitude resembling monkhood. Thus the pratimās rise by degrees and every stage includes all the virtues practised in those preceeding it. The conception of eleven pratimās appears to be the best way of exhibiting the rules of conduct prescribved for the Jaina laymen.

Source: archive.org: Jaina Yoga

Poṣadhapratima (पोषधप्रतिम) refers to “the stage of fasting” and represents the fourth of eleven pratimās (stages of spiritual progress) according to Śvetāmbara, Digambara and Āvaśyakacūrṇi.—This involves the keeping of four fasts in each month. The differences in observance are noted under the head of the poṣadhopavasa-vrata.

The word pratimā means a statue and is used in another specifcally Jaina sense to designate the kāyotsara. The medieval ācāryas, however, quite plainly conceive of the pratimās (e.g., poṣadha-pratimā) as performing a regular progressing series in Amitagati’s words, a sopāna-mārga, a ladder on each rung of which the aspirant layman is to rest for a number of months proportionate to its place on the list before he is fit to supplement and reinforce his acheivement by the practice of the succeeding stage.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Poshadha, Pratima.

Full-text: Poshadha, Proshadhapratima, Poshadhopavasapratima, Proshadhopavasapratima, Kayotsargapratima.

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