Paryushana

Last updated

Paryushan Parva
Also calledParyushan Parva
Observed by Jains
Observancesfasting, going to the Jain Temple
DateAugust or September
Related to Samvatsari (Shwtemabar)

Paryushana is an annual holy event for Jains and is usually celebrated in August or September in Hindi calendar (Indian calendar) Bhadrapad Month's Shukla Paksha. [1] Jains increase their level of spiritual intensity often using fasting and prayer/meditation to help. [2] [3] The five main vows are emphasized during this time.[ citation needed ] There are no set rules, and followers are encouraged to practice according to their ability and desires. The event lasts for 8 days, and ends with the celebration of Samvatsari (forgiveness day).

Contents

Meaning

Paryushana means "abiding and coming together". It is a time when the Jains take on vows of study and fasting. [4]

Observances

The Digambara Jains recite the ten chapters of the Jain text, Tattvartha Sutra on ten days of Das Lakshan Parva. The sixth day of the festival is celebrated as Sugandh Dashami by the Digambar Community. Digambaras celebrate Ananta Chaturdashi on which a special worship is done. 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).[ citation needed ]

At the conclusion of the festival, followers request forgiveness from others for any offenses committed during the last year. Forgiveness is asked by saying Micchami Dukkadam or Uttam Kshama to others, which means, "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 Śvētāmbara Sthānakavāsīs 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. [3]

Fasting

During Paryushana, Jains observe a fast. The span of the fast can last from a day to 30 days or even more. In both Digambara and Śvētāmbara, śrāvakas (laypersons) do a fast by having only boiled water which can be consumed between sunrise and sunset. [5]

Requesting forgiveness

At the conclusion of the festival, śrāvakas request each other for forgiveness for all offenses committed during the last year. [6] [5] 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. It means "If I have caused you offence in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought word or deed, then I seek your forgiveness". [7]

Date

The date for the Paryushana festival 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. Because of 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 by meditation and vratas (self-control). Digambara Jains starting a 10-day period from Bhadra shukla panchami, during which the dashalakshana vrata is undertaken. Śvētāmbara celebrate an eight-day festival that ends with Bhadrapada shukla chaturthi. [6]

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

Slaughter houses are kept closed for 1–8 days during the Paryushana festival in Indian states (e.g. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra) that have a large Jain population. [8] On 14 March 2008, the Supreme Court held that the ban on slaughter houses in Ahmedabad during Paryushan festival was legal. The court noted: [1]

In a multi-cultural country like ours with such diversity, one should not be over sensitive and over touchy about a short restriction when it is being done out of respect for the sentiments of a particular section of society. It has been stated above that the great Emperor Akbar himself used to remain a vegetarian for a few days every week out of respect for the vegetarian section of the Indian society and out of respect for his Hindu wife. We too should have similar respect for the sentiments for others, even if they are a minority sect. (para 74)

See also

Related Research Articles

Jainism, also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras, with the first in the current time cycle being Rishabhadeva, whom the tradition holds to have lived millions of years ago, the twenty-third tirthankara Parshvanatha, whom historians date to the 9th century BCE, and the twenty-fourth tirthankara Mahavira, around 600 BCE. Jainism is considered an eternal dharma with the tirthankaras guiding every time cycle of the cosmology. The three main pillars of Jainism are ahiṃsā (non-violence), anekāntavāda (non-absolutism), and aparigraha (asceticism).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Śvetāmbara</span> One of the two major schools of Jainism

The Śvetāmbara is one of the two main branches of Jainism, the other being the Digambara. Śvetāmbara in Sanskrit means "white-clad", and refers to its ascetics' practice of wearing white clothes, which sets it apart from the Digambara or "sky-clad" Jains whose ascetic practitioners go nude. Śvetāmbaras do not believe that ascetics must practice nudity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhadra (Hindu calendar)</span> Sixth month of the Hindu lunar calendar

Bhadra or Bhadrapada or Bhādo or Bhadraba (Bengali: ভাদ্র bhādro; Hindi: भादों bhādo; Sanskrit: भाद्रपद bhādrapada; Nepali: भाद्र Bhādra; Gujarati: ભાદરવો Bhādravo; Odia: ଭାଦ୍ରବ Bhadraba; Assamese: ভাদ) is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, which falls in August and September of the Gregorian calendar. In India's national civil calendar, Bhadra is the fifth month of the year, beginning on middle of August and ending on middle of September. In Hindu astrology, Bhadra begins with the Sun's entry into Leo and is the fifth month of the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parshvanatha</span> 23rd Tirthankara in Jainism

Parshvanatha, or Pārśva and Pārasanātha, was the 23rd of 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism. He gained the title of Kalīkālkalpataru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kshamavani</span> Jain festival of Digambara sect

Kshamavani or "Forgiveness Day" is a day of forgiving and seeking forgiveness for the followers of Jainism. Digambaras celebrate it on the first day of Ashvin Krishna month of the lunar-based Jain calendar. Śvētāmbaras celebrate it on Samvatsari, the last day of the annual Paryushana festival. which coincides with the Chaturthi, 4th day of Shukla Paksha in the holy month of Bhadra. "Micchami Dukkadam" is the common phrase when asking for forgiveness. It is a Prakrit phrase meaning "May all the evil that has been done be fruitless".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siddhachakra</span> Mystical diagram used for worship in Jainism

Siddhachakra is a popular yantra or mandala used for worship in Jainism. It is also known as Navapada in the Śvetāmbara tradition and Navadevta in the Digambara tradition. In the Śvetāmbara tradition it is associated with the Namokar Mantra. It is related to the legend of King Shripala and his wife Mayanasundari. It is depicted as a Kalasha with the core of a blossomed lotus representing Navapada in the centre surrounded by guarding deities on petals. It is used in some rituals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jain monasticism</span> Order of monks and nuns in the Jain community

Jain monasticism refers to the order of monks and nuns in the Jain community and can be divided into two major denominations: the Digambara and the Śvētāmbara. The monastic practices of the two major sects vary greatly, but the major principles of both are identical. Five mahāvratas, from Mahavira's teachings, are followed by all Jain ascetics of both the sects. Historians believe that a united Jain sangha (community) existed before 367 BCE, about 160 years after the moksha (liberation) of Mahavira. The community then gradually divided into the major denominations. However, no evidences indicate when the schism between the Digambaras and the Śvetāmbaras happened.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akshaya Tritiya</span> Annual Hindu and Jain festival

Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akti or Akha Teej, is an annual Jain and Hindu spring festival. It falls on the third tithi of the bright half of the Hindu month of Vaisakha.

Pratikramana, is a ritual during which Jains repent (prayaschit) for their sins and non-meritorious activities committed knowingly or inadvertently during their daily life through thought, speech or action.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaturthi</span> Fourth day of a lunar fortnight in the Hindu calendar

Chaturthi refers to the fourth day of a lunar fortnight in the Hindu calendar.

<i>Samvatsari</i> Last day of Paryushana for the Shvetambara sect of Jainism

Saṃvatsari is the last day of Paryushana according to the Śvetāmbara sect of Jainism. It falls on Shukla Choth each year in the Jain calendar month of Bhadrapada, somewhere between the middle of August and September in the Gregorian calendar.

Upadhāna are the religious practices performed by Śrāvakas in Jainism.

Jainism is a religion founded in ancient India. Jains trace their history through twenty-four tirthankara and revere Rishabhanatha as the first tirthankara. The last two tirthankara, the 23rd tirthankara Parshvanatha and the 24th tirthankara Mahavira are considered historical figures. According to Jain texts, the 22nd tirthankara Neminatha lived about 84,000 years ago and was the cousin of Krishna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaturmasya</span> Hindu observance

Chaturmasya, also rendered Chāturmāsa, is a holy period of four months, beginning on Shayani Ekadashi (June-July) and ending on Prabodhini Ekadashi (October-November) in Hinduism. This period also coincides with the monsoon season in India.

aAyushi nahar, also written as michchha mi dukkadam, is an ancient Indian Prakrit language phrase, found in historic Jain texts. Its Sanskrit equivalent is "Mithya me duskrtam" and both literally mean "may all the evil that has been done be in vain".

Here is a list of glossary of Culture of India in alphabetical order:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jainism in Haryana</span>

Ancient idols of Jain Tirthankara were found in archaeological expeditions in Badli, Bhiwani, Dadri, Gurgaon, Hansi, Hisar (Agroha), Kasan, Nahad, Narnaul, Pehowa, Rewari, Rohad, Rohtak and Sonepat in Haryana. Agrawal Jain community traces its origins from Hisar. Guptisagar Dham Tirtha at Ganaur is a religious tourist spot in Haryana. It is named after the Jain Acharya Guptisagar.

Jain festivals occur on designated days of the year. Jain festivals are either related to life events of Tirthankara or they are performed with intention of purification of soul.

Jains are broadly divided into 2 major groups. These include the Digambara, whose clothing displays symbols of cardinal directions, and the Śvetāmbara who wear white clothes. Both of the groups are similar in their ideology but differ in some aspects.

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 Katju, Justice Markandey (14 March 2008), Supreme Court Judgement regarding Closure of Slaughter houses during Paryushan, The Supreme Court of India[ permanent dead link ]
  2. Roy, Christian (2005), Traditional festivals: a multicultural encyclopedia, Volume 1, ABC-CLIO, p. 356, ISBN   1-57607-089-1
  3. 1 2 Dhanpal Jain (4 September 2008), "Paryushan Parva, festival of forgiveness", The Times of India
  4. "Jain festival of Paryushan finds many admirers", The Times of India , 1 September 2016
  5. 1 2 "Jains pray for peace, brotherhood", The Hindu , 13 September 2007, archived from the original on 7 November 2012
  6. 1 2 Doniger 1999, p. 555.
  7. Preeti Srivastav (31 August 2008). "Request for Forgiveness". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012.
  8. POKHAREL, KRISHNA (11 September 2015). "Why Mumbai Is Banning Meat This Weekend". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 11 September 2015.

Sources