Paryushana

Paryushana is an annual holy event in Jainism and is usually celebrated in August, September or October in the Hindi calendar month of Bhadrapad's Shukla Paksha. Jains increase their level of spiritual intensity often using fasting and prayer/meditation to help. The five main vows are emphasized during this time. There are no set rules and followers are encouraged to practice according to their abilities and desires. The event lasts for 8 days and ends with the celebration of (forgiveness day).

Meaning

The word "" means "abiding and coming together". It is a time when the Jains take on vows of study and fasting.

Observances

Many towns have a procession leading to the main Jain temple. Ananta Chaturdashi marks the day when Lord Vasupujya, the 12th Jain Tirthankar, attained Moksha (nirvana).

At the conclusion of the festival, followers request forgiveness from others for any offenses committed during the preceding year. Forgiveness is asked by saying "Micchami Dukkadam" to others. This translates to: "If I have offended you in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought, word or action, then I seek your forgiveness."

During the eight-day festival, the Śvētāmbara Murtipujakas recite the Kalpa Sūtra, which includes a recitation of the section on the birth of Mahavira on the fifth day. Some Śvētāmbaras recite the Antagada Sutra, which details the life of 90 great men and women who attained moksha during the eras of the 22nd Tirthankar Neminatha and 24th Tirthankar Mahavira.

Fasting

During Paryushana, Jains observe a fast. The span of the fast can last from a day to 30 days or more. In Śvētāmbara sect, śrāvakas (laypeople) fast by having only boiled water that may be consumed between sunrise and sunset.

Requesting forgiveness

At the conclusion of the festival, śrāvakas request each other for forgiveness for all offenses committed during the last year. This occurs on the Paryusha day for Śvētāmbaras and on the Prathama (first day) of the month of Ashvin Krashna for Digambaras. Forgiveness is asked by saying "Micchami Dukkadam" or "Uttam Kshama" to each other. This translates to: "If I have caused you offence in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought word or deed, then I seek your forgiveness".

Date

The date for Paryushana is Bhadra shukla panchami. For this duration, Paryushana must be initiated by panchami (the fifth day) of the shukla paksha phase of Bhadra. The last day is called Samvatsari, short for Samvatsari Pratikramana. Due to computational and other differences, there can be some minor differences among various sects. It comes at the time when the wandering monks take up temporary residence for the monsoon period or "cāturmāsa" ("four-month"). Because at this time the monks have settled in the town for a longer duration, it is time for the householders to have an annual renewal of the faith by listening to the statement of the Dharma and through meditation and vratas (self-control). Śvētāmbara celebrate an eight-day festival that ends with Bhadrapada shukla chaturthi.

It is believed that the devas (heavenly beings) do an eight-part puja (worship) of the tirthankaras, which takes eight days. Śvētāmbara Jains celebrate this period as Paryushana.

Closure

Slaughterhouses are kept closed for one to eight days during the Paryushana festival in Indian states that have a large Jain population, including Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. On 14 March 2008, the Supreme Court held that the ban on slaughterhouses in Ahmedabad during Paryushan festival was legal. The court noted: Template:Quote

See also

• Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
• Ratnatraya
• God in Jainism
• Jain cosmology
• Sallekhana
• Jain festival

External links

• Paryuṣaṇ on JAINpedia
• Daśa-lakṣaṇa-parvan on JAINpedia
• Paryushan Pravachan by Jain Muni Rashtrasant Pujya Namramuni MS .