User:Malaiya/pratima

Pratima is a step marking the spiritual rise of a lay person in Jainism.

In Jainism, the spiritual rise of a lay householder (sravaka) is marked by eleven steps termed pratima. They are described in several codes of conduct (sravakacharas). After having passed the eleven steps, one is no longer a sravaka, but a monk (muni).

Ashadhara in his Sagara-Dharmammrata (13th century) has groups the 11 steps into three ranks.


 * Grahin (jaghanya: first to sixth pratima): The pratimas are:
 * 1.Darshan Pratima (Right perspective): A Jain perspective and adherence to basic rules (identified as the eight fundamental gunas).
 * 2.Vrat Pratima (taking vows): Acceptance of Guna Vratas and Shiksha vratas in addition to the five Anuvratas.
 * 3.Samayak Pratima (Periodic meditation): Engaging in meditation or worship on a regular basis.
 * 4.Proshadhopvas Pratima (periodic fasting): fasting four times in a month.
 * 5.Sachitta Tyaga Pratima: not eating egetables having the capacity to grow again.
 * 6. Ratribhukti Tyaga Pratima (or Diva Maithun Tyaga Pratima): Giving up eating during the night or coitus during the day.


 * Varnin (madhyama: seventh to ninth pratima): At this point the householder is termed a Varni. The pratimas are:
 * 7. Brahmacharya Pratima (celibacy): abstaining from sex or related activity.
 * 8. Arambha Tyaga Pratima (giving up occupations): refraining from any activity to earn a living.
 * 9. Parigraha Tyaga Pratima (giving up possessions): detachment from most possessions.


 * Bhikshuka (uttama: tenth and elecenth pratima): At this point a person depends on others for daily survival.
 * 10. Anurnati Tyaga Pratima (giving up right to give permissions): refraining from giving orders or expressing consents in the family.
 * 11. Uddishta Tyaga Pratima (giving up specifically prepared food): only accepting food shared by other ordinary householders.

Those who have ascended to the eleventh pratima are termed Kshullaka and Jain Muni. The next step is that of a full Jain (Jain Muni).