Samayikapratima, Samayika-pratima, Sāmāyikapratimā: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Samayikapratima means something in Jainism, Prakrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Sāmāyikapratimā (सामायिकप्रतिमा) or simply Sāmāyika represents the third of eleven pratimā (stages) laid down for Jain laymen. Sāmāyikapratimā refers to “worshipping regularly, in general for forty-two minutes, three times daily. Worship means self-contemplation and purifying one’s ideas and emotions..” according to J. L. Jaini in his “outlines of Jainism” (pp. 67-70).
These pratimās (e.g., sāmāyika-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.
Sāmāyikapratima (सामायिकप्रतिम) refers to “the stage opf practising the sāmāyika” and represents the third of eleven pratimās (stages of spiritual progress) according to Śvetāmbara, Digambara and Āvaśyakacūrṇi.—When his observance of the aṇu-vratas is satisfactory the aspirant to spiritual progress is fit to perform the sāmāyika, which, as the commentators never tire of repeating, temporarily assimilates him to the status of an ascetic. The frequency with which this is to be carried out is not clearly defined. Abhayadeva considers the morning and evening twilight periods as the proper times.
Where the Śvetāmbaras see in the sāmāyika a purification of the soul by meditation some Digambaras like Samantabhadra regard it as an act of worship of the Jina comprising the gestures of reverence associated with the vandanaka, and performed thrice daily. Others such as Somadeva seem to extend the concept tocover the full ritual of the caitya-vandana.
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., vrata-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.
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.
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Search found 1 books and stories containing Samayikapratima, Samayika-pratima, Sāmāyika-pratimā, Sāmāyikapratimā; (plurals include: Samayikapratimas, pratimas, pratimās, Sāmāyikapratimās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Gommatsara by Acharya Nemichandra (by Bai Bahadur J. L. Jaini)
Index < [Volume 1 - Jiva-kanda (the soul)]