9. Expiatory Rites in Jainism

Similar to Buddhism, Jainism also stands against the Vedic and Brahminic religion in its early period. In later stages, the Jainas incorporated some trends of Brahmanical religion. The Jainas especially Nirjaras believed that expiations helps in the exhaustion of Karmas. Expiation by self-degradation may be a technique of speeding up the ripening of Karmas. Sūtrakṛtaṅga states that Tapas destroys all Karmas.^[1] The Uttarādhyāyasūtra considered that Tapas is a path of liberation.^[2] This treatise defines Prāyaścitta as āloyaṇārīhāīyaṃ (self-reflection).^[3] The Jainas considered that austerity is an expiatory rite. Umāsvāti, the commentator of Tattvārthasūtra interpreted that Prāyaścitta includes not only the internal confession and repentance, but also the act of external atonement rites like fasting, Tapas etc.^[4] The Chedasūtras explain Prāyaścittas in a very detailed manner. According to this, the purity of a Sādhaka is extremely essential in Jainism and this purity helps them to move towards the final goal of liberation. The Sādhaka, who commits certain lapses of this purity, falls from liberation. Hence the Chedasūtras make clear the importance of expiation. In the case of very grave sins, it prescribed expiations in the form of strict punishments. The insulting of a Tīrthaṅkara or the Saṅgha and a murder are to be considered as major sins. The canons of Jainas prescribe Parañcita, the uppermost expiation. Those who undergo this expiation, have to stay behind lonely in the province. One more expiation is called Parihāra. A monk, who is undergoing this expiation, should dismiss himself from the companionship of other monks and even co-dining with them.^[5] Equaling to Buddhism the expiatory rites are mainly recommended for ascetics. The ritualistic nature of expiation has not been seen in Jaina canons. They typically suggest Tapas in the form of self-degradation as a major expiation. The study of expiation in Buddhism and Jainism reveals that they have not acquired the ritualistic nature. The religious studies expose that each religions provide the concept and praxis of expiation in a meticulous way. A peep into the world religious literature is useful to recognize this fact.