Why we say "Michchhami Dukkadam"

Before I start on this I, myself want to say "Michchhami Dukkadam" to
you all.

My dear friends

Let us understand what is meant by "Michchhami Dukkadam" and why do we
say it?

Michchhami means to be fruitless (forgiven) and Dukkadam (Dushkrut)
means bad deeds. Therefore the meaning of Michchhami Dukkadam is my bad
deeds (with you) be fruitless. So concept behind saying or writing
someone "Michchhami Dukkadam" is that if I have done any harm to you
then those bad deeds to be forgiven (be fruitless).

Those who did traditional Samvatsari (yearly) Pratikrman would remember
saying "Tassa Michchhami Dukkadam" at the end of many of sutras. There
it meant that if I have committed any violations or transgressions
related to those minor vows or so then those violations be forgiven (be
fruitless).

The following is the prayer we say while doing Pratikraman:

"KHAMEMI SAVVE JIVE, SAVVE JIVA KHAMANTU ME
METTI ME SAVVE BHUYESU, VERAM MAJAHAM N KENAI"

which has been read by readers of this list many times. Those who are
born in Jain families are familiar with the meaning and theme behind
it. But when it is read or heard by those who are unfamiliar with it,
then it may loose some concept in it though there was good discussion
in this list. So as per my understanding by including some more words I
have tried to expand its meaning and the scope which would make it more
meaningful.

"I forgive (from the bottom of my heart without any reservation) all
living beings (who may have caused me any pain and suffering either in
this life or previous lives), and I beg  (again from the bottom of my
heart without any reservation) for the forgiveness from all living
beings (no matter how small or big to whom I may have caused pain and
suffering in this life or previous lives, knowingly or unknowingly,

mentally, verbally or physically, or if I have asked or encouraged
someone else to carry out such activities). (Let all creatures know
that) I have a friendship with everybody and I have no revenge
(animosity or enmity) toward anybody."

Why do we say "Michchhami Dukkadam"?

If we reflect back on ourselves we would realize that our mind is
continuously busy either thinking on something which may be near to us
or could even be as far away as the other end of the world, talking or
doing physical activities. This thinking, our words or our physical
activities would be reflection of our happiness, sorrow, anger, greed,
jealousy, and egoism, etc.  And, depending upon how we react to those,
we attract various types of new karmas to our souls. No prudent person
would like to attract bad karma and at certain stages any karma at all.
It is not as easy as turning off a light switch but we have a choice to
minimize our damage so that things would be more conducive for our
social and spiritual uplift which should ultimately lead to salvation
or liberation from this worldly life of any kind.

Buzz word is "minimizing the damage to our soul". Jinas had explained
that along with other karmas we should be careful that the bondage of
Mohniya karma. Among all the subtypes of Mohniya karma we should be
very still more careful about bondage of Anantanubadhi kashay Mohniya
karmas (this does not means that other subtypes are acceptable.).

Anantanubadhi kashay Mohniya karmas are accumulated not only when our
passions (anger, ego, deceit, and greed) are sever while carrying out
our actions but if we donM-^Rt repent for our other actions within one
year of them. This Anantanubadhi kashay Mohniya karmas obstruct right
belief and right conduct which are necessary ingredients to start the
beginning of spiritual uplift which would ultimately lead to
liberation. As a human we are able to recognize this factor better than
other living beings and therefore we shall take continue to take
advantage of knowing this secret to put us to advantageous level.

Earlier discussion explained how  "Michchhami Dukkadam" can affect the
type of nature of karmas, but there is also another reason to say
"Michchhami Dukkadam".  The physical bondage of karmas can be loose
(sithil), tight (gadha), tighter(nidhatta), and tightest (nikachit).
The loose, tight bondage can easily be shed off by repenting and
apologizing for our deeds which caused them. The moderate bondage can
be shed off by austerity while sever bondage can be only shed off by
suffering the results of those karmas. Now going back to realize before
we say "Michchhami Dukkadam", first we realize to that me have or might
have done some harms to others and regret for doing so and then we feel
sorry for doing so and want to apologize for the same. So these
repenting and expressing apology by saying  "Michchhami Dukkadam" would
help us to get rid off some of our karmas ahead of time which can
change our future for a better.

While we are in mood to be a better person we can do a little more
contemplation and it would put on a different path. So I am taking an
opportunity to add a few more words which should go along with
friendship. Those contemplation including freidship are:
1) Maitri Bhavana (Thinking of being a Friend)
2) Pramod Bhavana (Thinking of Appreciation)
3) Karuna Bhavana (Thinking of Compassion)
4) Madhyastha Bhavana (Think to staying neutral or uninvolved)

Let us understand how these bhavanas play important roles in our lives,
how they can keep us away from bad karmas, and ultimately how they can
improve our overall chances to uplift our souls.

1. Maitri Bhavana  (Thinking of a Friendship)
Jinas had taught us, "We must be a friend to all living beings." The
feeling of friendship brings love and respect for others. It, also,
initiates a feeling of brotherhood among all and in turn leaves no room
for harm, deceit or quarrelsomeness with anybody. If we contemplate on
Maitri Bhavana our thoughts, words, and actions will not be harsh, and
we will not hurt anybody. On the contrary, we will support and protect
everybody. Friendship will lead us to be tolerant, forgiving, and
caring for one another. Therefore by developing a friendship with all
living beings, we will avoid bad karma.

2. Pramod Bhavana   (Thinking of Appreciation)
In this bhavana, we admire the success of our friends, spiritual
leaders and Arihants. One of the most destructive forces in our lives
is jealousy. However, friendship combined by admiration, destroys
jealousy . As jealousy subsides, negative impulses are turned into
positive ones, and in time, you will be at peace.

3. Karuna Bhavana  (Thinking of Compassion)
Instead of succeeding, many of our friends may be getting into trouble
for things they should not be doing, and even those who are successful
may be accumulating vices such as greed and ego. If such is the case
then, they are not on the right path, and may they are weak, helpless,
and in distress. At a time like this, you should contemplate on the
karuna Bhavana and show compassion towards them instead of being
disgusted towards them or hating them. Show them a right path with
patience, tolerance, and forgiveness and offer them the needed support.
In this way, not only will you be avoiding bad karma, but so will your
friends.

4. Madhyastha Bhavana (Think of staying neutral or uninvolved)
Life appears to be nothing but involvement. Sometimes life works out
favorable and sometimes it does not. So when the things dont workout,
instead of getting disappointed, angry, or more involved, you should
contemplate on Madhyastha Bhavana which leads to feeling that I did my
best to resolve the situation. If someone does not want to understand,
then leave him/her alone without getting further involved. You should
simply hope that one of these days, he/she may understand and change.
By observing Madhyastha Bhavana, you will remain in equanimity, instead
of provoking turmoil in your mind. When your mind stays neutral and
uninvolved it keeps karma away.

In short, you can avoid influx of bad karma and stay in peace while
living in worldly life by developing a friendship towards all living
beings, admiring their success, holding their hands when they are in
distress, and leaving them alone at times when they do not understand
what is right or wrong.

So, until it becomes the natural way of life to observe the above
bhavanas, one should contemplate on:

"KHAMEMI SAVVE JIVE, SAVVE JIVA KHAMANTU ME
METTI ME SAVVE BHUYESU, VERAM MAJAHAM N KENAI"

as many times as needed. If there is a goal, then there will be an
achievement.

"Michchhami Dukkadam"