Paryushan Parva
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Contents |
A backgrounder
The Times of India, Sep 18 2015
Dhanpal Solanki Jain The liberating aspect of Paryushan Parva
Paryushan Parva, the annual Jain observance, is the time to get uplifted through fasting, meditation, soul-searching, awakening, self-study, courage, compassion and forgiveness for all beings. For both Shvetambar Jains, who observe the ritual over eight days, and Digambar Jains, for whom the festival lasts 10 days, this is a time for introspection, reflection and purification, popularly known as Chaturmas or Varsha Yog.
Chaturmas literally means `four months', derived from the Sanskrit `chatur', four and `masa', month. Chaturmas mean four months of the monsoon, and during this time both Digambar and Shvetambar Jain monks and nuns make themselves available to the community for instruction and guidance.
Paryushan is the time when, to improve karmas, adherents perform 12 kinds of austerities, including fasting. They also do svadhyaya or self-study. The purpose of Paryushan is to stay close to your soul, reflect on your shortcomings, seek forgiveness for wrongdoings, remove internal corruption and vow to live an ethical way of life. Daily meditation and prayer help one to look within and reflect on the teachings of the tirthankaras for guidance.
On the fourth day of Paryushan, it is customary for Murtipujak Shvetambars to read from the Kalpa Sutra, a scripture which recounts the life of Mahavira, the 24th tirthankara the 14 dreams of his mother before his birth, followed by the story of his birth, life and liberation. It also recounts the lives of other tirthankaras and the rules of Paryushan.
Jainism is the Sramana tradition of India. Mahavira led a socio-spiritual, non-violent movement. He rejected superstitious practices, blind faith, caste system, gender bias, Sati and animal sacrifice. He encouraged equity and scientific temper. He did not preach, but practised his philosophy. He regarded all species of flora and fauna as integral to a composite moral community. He emphasised the concept of aparigraha or non-possessiveness.
The fivefold mantra that is recited offers obeisance not to God or Creator, but to arihants or perfected beings, siddhas or liberated souls, acharyas or masters, upadhyayas or teachers, sadhus or renunciates. With mantra-chanting, seekers find liberation through their own efforts, and not by waiting for divine intervention. Jainism lays great emphasis on rational, scientific, compassionate, courageous and ethical way of life based on comp lete equanimity and tranquillity.
The first tirthankara Rishabh Dev, gave us six concepts Asi: self-defence, civil defence; Masi: art, culture, literature and education; Krishi: agrarian lifestyle; Vidya: schooling, knowledge and training; Vanijya: trade and commerce, enterprise; and Shilpkala: architecture, handicrafts and skill development.
During Paryushan Parva vegetarian meals are made simpler than usual. For Shvetambars, the final day of Paryushan is Samvastsari Pratikraman or annual confession, when it is time for confession and seeking forgiveness as well as being forgiving, enabling Self-liberation. The ritual of seeking forgiveness from the teacher is widened in scope to include family, friends and all living beings. The culmination of confession is receiving forgiveness from all living beings and also forgiving everyone including oneself.
This ritual is also called the rite of universal friendship. Those who do manage to fast, speak in glowing terms of the wonderful effects of penance that purifies the soul. The greater the will, the greater would be the flow of energy, they say. Tirthankara Rishabhdev is said to have performed penance for one year at a stretch. During the process of penance, toxins accumulated in body cells get expelled. The body is recharged, energised and relaxed. And there is mental and physical wellbeing.
Significance
Dhanpal Solanki Jain, August 22, 2020: The Times of India
Paryushan Parva, the annual Jain observance, is the most appropriate time to get uplifted through fasting, meditation, soul-search, awakening, self-study, courage, compassion and forgiveness for all beings. For both Shvetambar Jains, who observe the ritual over eight days, and Digambar Jains, for whom the festival lasts ten days, this is a time for introspection, reflection and purification and this season is popularly known as Chaturmas. It is also called Varsha Yog.
Chaturmas literally means ‘four months’ in Sanskrit, during the monsoon when Jain monks and nuns stay in one place and are available to the community for instruction and guidance.
Paryushan is when, to improve karmas, adherents perform 12 kinds of austerities, including fasting. They also do svadhyaya or self-study. The purpose of Paryushan is to stay close to your soul, reflect on your shortcomings, seek forgiveness for wrongdoings, remove internal corruption and vow to live an ethical way of life. Daily recital of Bhaktamar Stotra, Navakar Mantra, meditation and prayer helps one look within and reflect on the teachings of the tirthankaras for guidance.
On the fourth day of Paryushan, it is customary for Murtipujak Shvetambars to read from the Kalpa Sutra, a scripture which recounts the life of Mahavira, the 24th tirthankar, the 14 dreams of his mother before his birth, followed by the story of his birth, life and liberation. It also recounts the lives of other tirthankaras and the rules of Paryushan.
Jainism is the Sramana tradition of India. Mahavira led a socio-spiritual, non-violent reform movement. He rejected superstitious practices, blind faith, caste system, gender bias, sati and discouraged animal sacrifice. He encouraged ahimsa, compassion and scientific temper. He did not preach, but practised his philosophy. He promoted a radical economic, political and social justice movement based on complete equity.
He regarded all species of flora and fauna as integral to a composite moral community. He emphasised the concept of jivdaya or animal care and aparigraha or non-possessiveness to protect biodiversity from human greed and butchery. The fivefold Navkar Mantra that is recited offers obeisance not to God, but to arihants, perfected beings; siddhas, liberated souls; acharyas, masters; upadhyayas, teachers; and sadhus, renunciates. Jainism promotes rational, scientific, compassionate, courageous and ethical way of life based on complete equanimity and tranquillity.
The first tirthankar Rishabhdev talked of six main professions for livelihood: 1. Asi: swordsmanship for self-defence, wrestling; 2. Masi: art, culture, writing skills, literature and education; 3. Krishi: agriculture, agrarian lifestyle; 4. Vidya: schooling, knowledge and training; 5. Vanijya: trade and commerce, enterprise; and 6. Shilp-kala: architecture, handicrafts and skill development. Rishabhdev advocated women’s education and their liberation. Bahubali, the elder son of Rishabdev said, “Do seva without discrimination” because all of us are experiencing dukhdard, pain, agony and suffering. Without paro-upkar, selfless service, bhakti and puja remain incomplete. Bahubali promoted rural sports like wrestling and Hatha Yoga, to stay healthy, fit and active.
During Paryushan Parva vegetarian meals are made simpler than usual. For Shvetambars, the final day of Paryushan is Samvastsari Pratikraman, the annual confession, when it is time for confession and seeking forgiveness as well as being forgiving, enabling self-liberation. The ritual of seeking forgiveness from the teacher is widened in scope to include family, friends and all living beings. The culmination of confession is receiving forgiveness from all living beings and also forgiving everyone including oneself.
“Chaturmas“ or Varsha Yog
Dhanpal S Jain, Liberating Effect Of Jainism's Paryushan Parva, August 28, 2017: The Times of India
Paryushan Parva, the annual Jain observance, is the time to uplift oneself through fasting, meditation, soul-searching, awakening, self-study , courage, compassion and forgiveness for self and for all beings. For both Shvetambars, who observe the ritual over eight days, and Digambars, for whom the festival lasts 10 days, this is a time for introspection, reflection and purification popularly known as “Chaturmas“ or Varsha Yog.
Chaturmas literally means “four months“, the period of the monsoon, when Jain monks and nuns take a break from travelling (journeying barefoot is difficult during this time) and make themselves available to the community for instruction and guidance.
Paryushan is the time when, to improve karmas, adherents perform 12 kinds of austerities, including fasting. They also do svadhyaya or self-study . The purpose of Paryushan is to stay close to your soul, reflect on your shortcomings, seek forgive ness for wrongdoings, remove internal corruption and resolve to live an ethical way of life. Daily recital of scriptural verse and prayers, helps one to look within and reflect on the teachings of tirthankaras.One should daily perform practices that lead one to emancipation and liberation.
On the fourth day of Paryushan, it is customary for Murtipujak Shvetambars to read from the Kalpa Sutra, a scripture which recounts the life of Mahavira, the 24th tirthankar the 14 dreams of his mother before his birth, followed by the story of his birth, life and liberation. It also recounts the lives of other tirthankaras and the rules of Paryushan.
Mahavira led a socio-spiritual, non-violent reform movement. He rejected superstitious practices, blind faith, caste system, gender bias, sati, bali pratha and discouraged animal sacrifice He encouraged ahimsa, compassion and scientific temper. He practised his philosophy . He promoted a radical economic, political and social justice movement based on complete equity .
He regarded all species of flora and fauna as integral to a composite moral community . He emphasised the concept of Jivdaya or animal care and aparigraha or non-possessiveness to protect biodiversity from human greed and butchery . The fivefold Navkar Mantra that is recited offers obeisance not to God or Creator, but to Arihants or perfected beings; siddhas, liberated souls; acharyas, masters; upadhyayas, teachers; and sadhus, renunciates. With mantra-chanting, seekers find liberation through their own efforts, and not by waiting for divine intervention.
Jainism lays great emphasis on rational, scientific, compassionate, courageous and ethical way of life based on complete equanimity and tranquillity .
The first tirthankar, Rishabhdev, gave us six concepts: Asi: self-defence, civil defence; Masi: art, culture, literature and education; Krishi: the agrarian lifestyle; Vidya: schooling, knowledge and training; Vanijya: trade and commerce, enterprise; and Shilp-kala: architecture, handicrafts and skill development.
For Shvetambars, the final day of Paryushan is Samvastsari Pratikraman or annual confession, when it is time for confession and seeking forgiveness as well as being forgiving, enabling self-liberation. The ritual of seeking forgiveness from the teacher is widened in scope to include family , friends and all living beings. The culmination of confession is receiving forgiveness from all living beings and also forgiving everyone including oneself.
This ritual of forgiveness is sometimes called the rite of universal friendship. Tirthankar Rishabhdev is said to have performed penance for one year at a stretch. During the process of penance, toxins accumulated in body cells get expelled. The body is recharged, energised and relaxed. And there is intellectual, corporeal and spiritual awakening.
Dashlakshan Parva/ Kshamavani
Acharya Gyan Sagar, Why Forgiveness Is Such A Great Virtue, Sep 17 2016 : The Times of India
Jainism, among the oldest living religions of the world, has a rich tradition of festivals. Paryushan Parva popularly known as Dashlakshan Parva is the festival of ten virtues. It starts with kshama, forgiveness and at its conclusion Kshamavani, the Day of Forgiveness, is celebrated, when people forgive each other. The following is a popular prayer on the occasion: “I forgive all living beings, May all living beings forgive me, My friendship is with all living being, I have no animosity towards any living being.
May all my faults be dissolved.“
Forgiveness is quite different from saying sorry; it is the mental, emotional andor spiritual process of ceasing to feel resentment, indignation or anger against another person for a perceived offence, difference or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution. The process of shedding our karmas really begins by asking for forgiveness with true feelings and to vow not to repeat mistakes.
Stanford project
New scientific research also proves that forgiveness is helpful in improving the quality of our life. Professor P M Agrawal writes, “The outcome of research carried out by scientists of Stanford University , US, is illustrative. The Stanford Forgiveness Project provides not only evidence of the benefits of avoiding anger but it also gives practical methods to cope with anger.“
In America people are buying tickets in advance to attend workshops on forgive ness organised by Stanford Forgiveness Project team members. Persons spend money to attend such workshops to learn to adopt forgiveness. Why do they spend money? Because they believe in the scientific research which shows that the forgiveness would improve their health, peace and prosperity . The popularity of such workshops reveals that adoption of forgiveness or the avoidance of intentional violence is not only a topic of religious scriptures but is importance in our practical life. The quality of the forgiveness requires humility and suppression of anger. Its importance has been proved by medical science too.
Forgiveness protocol
There is a rule to forgive and ask for forgiveness which must be followed: To ask for forgiveness from the person whom you have harmed, you first ur own ego, resentment and hatred towards that person prior to asking genuine forgiveness from him.
To grant forgiveness, you must first get over your own anger and ego and then only you will be able to genuinely forgive the person who harmed you.
In the present age of competition and physical development people have money and many physical instruments for living a luxurious life but they have lost all peace of mind. Through these virtues they can get more satisfaction and peace of mind. They can come out from mental depression if it exists and they can create opportunities for good fortune by doing good deeds and leaving all bad deeds.
In many cases luck plays a vital role in the development of our career or business and good luck can be achieved by forgiveness and by leading a simple and straightforward life, making a habit of deceit-free conduct and removal of greediness.
I hope you forgive all your enemies and friends today and will be able to start a new life. My good wishes are with all of you on Kshamavani Divas.
