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Sāmāyika
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<p><i>Sāmāyika</i> is the vow of periodic concentration observed by the Jains. It is one of the essential duties prescribed for both the <i><a href="/facts/%C5%9Ar%C4%81vaka_(Jainism)/8vdwrd6z">Śrāvaka</a></i> (householders) and <a href="/facts/Jain_monasticism/t2jXJTC3">ascetics</a>. The preposition <i>sam</i> means one state of being. To become one is <i>samaya</i>. That, which has oneness as its object, is <i>sāmāyikam</i>. <i>Sāmāyika</i> is aimed at developing equanimity and to refrain from injury. </p><p>On the third <i><a href="/facts/Pratima_(Jainism)/3LF7oW99">pratimā</a></i> (stage) the householder resolves to observe the <i>sāmāyika</i> vow three times a day. </p><p> According to the Jain text, <i><a href="/facts/Purushartha_Siddhyupaya/EndlWFve">Purushartha Siddhyupaya</a></i>: </p><p>After renouncing all attachments and aversions, and adopting a sense of equanimity in all objects, one should practise, many times, periodic concentration (<i>sāmāyika</i>), the principal means to realize the true nature of the Self.</p>— Puruşārthasiddhyupāya (95)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> <p><i>Sāmāyika</i> is also one of the five kinds of conduct (<i>cāritra</i>) other kinds being reinitiation, purity of non-injury, slight passion and perfect conduct. It is of two kinds — with and without time limit. </p>