Paryushan And Das Lakshana Parva

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Paryushan and Das Lakshana Parva: A Summary

Paryushan and Das Lakshana Parva are the most significant festivals in Jainism, periods dedicated to spiritual purification, repentance, and self-improvement. While generally celebrated with excitement, Jain festivals are characterized by renunciation, austerities, scriptural study, chanting, meditation, and devotion to the Tirthankaras.

Paryushan: The Festival of Coming Together

• Timing: Observed during August and/or September.
• Duration: 8 days for the Shvetämbar sect and 10 days for the Digambar sect (where it's known as Das Lakshana Parva).
• Meaning: "Paryushan" literally means "coming together from all directions," symbolizing growth and transformation. It also signifies:
  • Shedding Karmas: Burning away all types of karmas through austerities.
  • Spiritual Closeness: Staying closer to one's true soul through self-study (Swadhyay), meditation, and austerities.
  • Suppressing Passions: Curbing the four passions (Kashayas): anger, ego, deceit, and greed.
• Core Purpose: The ultimate goal is self-realization and experiencing wholeness, peace, compassion, and reverence for all life. This is achieved by purifying the soul, correcting faults, seeking forgiveness for past mistakes, and taking vows to minimize future wrongdoings. Worldly affairs are minimized to focus on the true self.
• Austerities and Fasting: A key aspect is practicing austerities, which involves controlling desires for material pleasures. Many observe fasts, ranging from the entire duration to shorter periods, with the last day of Paryushan being obligatory for fasting. Fasting typically means abstaining from food and drink, though boiled and cooled water is permitted during the day. Eating only one meal is considered limited fasting.

Five Essential Activities of Paryushan:

1. Ahimsä Pravartan: Leading a non-violent life, promoting a non-violent world, and supporting animal welfare.
2. Sädharmik Vätsalya: Respecting fellow human beings and supporting humanitarian activities.
3. Attham Tapa: Observing fasts for the last three days of Paryushan.
4. Chaitya Paripäti: Visiting Jain temples, libraries, Upäshrays (monastic dwellings), and supporting charitable/religious organizations.
5. Kshama (Kshamäpanä): Repenting sins, forgiving others, and seeking forgiveness from others.

Shvetämbar Tradition: Paryushan

• Scriptural Study: The Kalpa Sutra, detailing the lives of Bhagawan Mahavir and other Tirthankaras, is recited from the fourth day onwards.
• Special Ceremonies: The fifth day celebrates the auspicious dreams of Bhagawan Mahavir's mother, Trishala.
• Samvatsari: The final day, known as Samvatsari, is the most important. It is a day of repentance for past sins and forgiveness towards others.

Digambar Tradition: Das Lakshana Parva

• Duration: Observed for 10 days.
• Focus: Each day is dedicated to one of the ten religious virtues:
  1. Kshamä: Forgiveness
  2. Märdava: Humility
  3. Ärjava: Straightforwardness
  4. Shaucha: Contentment (absence of greed)
  5. Satya: Truth
  6. Samyam: Restraint of all senses
  7. Tapa: Austerities
  8. Tyäg: Charity
  9. Äkinchan: Non-possessiveness
  10. Brahmacharya: Chastity or Celibacy
• Scriptural Study: Some traditions read the Tattvärtha Sutra, a comprehensive Jain philosophical text, with one chapter read each day.

The Significance of Forgiveness (Kshamä)

The last day of Paryushan (Samvatsari) and the first day of Das Lakshana Parva (Kshamä) are the most crucial days for all Jains. This is the time to:

• Repent for past sins.
• Seek forgiveness from family, friends, and even enemies, especially those with whom there have been conflicts, for any harm caused knowingly or unknowingly.
• Let go of ill will and grudges, as holding onto them beyond a year hinders spiritual advancement.

This annual occasion for repentance and forgiveness is considered paramount in the Jain tradition. By forgiving, Jains aim to become one with the light of their soul.

Post-Celebration:

After observing Samvatsari Pratikraman or the Das Lakshana celebrations, Jains actively seek forgiveness from all living beings through personal interactions, phone calls, or written messages, often using the phrase "Michchha mi Dukkadam" (meaning "may all my wrongdoings be insignificant").

The text also highlights Charity at Its Peak with a story of Ascetic Mahavir donating heavenly cloth, and Humility at Its Peak with Guru Gautam Swami seeking forgiveness from Anand Shravak.