Pratikraman: Freedom Through Apology & Repentance (Abr.) (In English) Pratikraman: Freedom Through Apology & Repentence | Page 11

malice, it is made with compassion. There should be some way to eliminate our problems. What have the Gnanis and the Tirthankars said about one’s progress from the state of ignorance to the attainment of Absolute Knowledge? How can we be liberated from the bondage of our past karmas and the bondage created through our inherent attachment and abhorrence? It is said that the path of liberation is for the brave and not for cowards, but where must this valor be used to expedite liberation? Is it possible for a person with a lot of bad karmas to acquire good karmas? How can you suppress the fires of suffering that torment you throughout your life? How can a man cope with a domineering wife, difficult children, and his financial worries that overshadow his peace, day and night? How can one recover from incessant kashays that exist between a Guru and a disciple? When a person expends his mind, speech, and body by committing adultery or cheating others out of their wealth, where else but in hell or lower life forms can he expect to take birth in his next life? And if one has done so, how can he become free? How can one remain cautious so as to not fall prey to such acts? What are the answers to such questions that have agonized people for time immemorial? Every human makes mistakes against his will. People become trapped in their own mistakes and suffer incessantly, due to their earnest desire to be free of such mistakes, find inner happiness, and progress toward their liberation. The Tirthankars and the Gnanis have given this world the only weapon to combat such suffering, and that weapon is the spiritual science of alochana (confession of one’s mistakes), 10