The real purpose of Paryushan is to purify our soul by observing and correcting our own faults, asking for forgiveness for the mistakes we have committed, and taking vows to minimize our faults
By Pradip Jain
A major Jain festival, Lord Mahavira Paryushan explains how it can heal all our relationships and reinvigorate us to face the future with courage and responsibility. It provides us with a unique opportunity to raise the quality of our lives.
Lord Mahavira Paryushan or Daslakshan Parva is the single-most important festival in the Jain religion. This year, it is observed from August 31 to September 7.
The Shvetambar sect observes it for the first 8 days while the Digambar sect observes it for the last 10 days where it is known as Daslakshan Parva. During these eight or 10 days, the entire Jain community becomes engrossed in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and felicity and religion.
The purpose of life, according to Jain teachings, is to realize oneself, to experience wholeness, peace and reverence for all life. Therefore, the real purpose of Paryushan is to purify our soul by observing and correcting our own faults, asking for forgiveness for the mistakes we have committed, and taking vows to minimize our faults.
During Paryushan, we should strive to minimize our worldly affairs so that we can concentrate on our true selves. Generally, festivals are celebrations and jubilation characterized by excitement, enthusiasm, and enjoyment; but the Jain festivals are characterized by renunciation, austerities, study of the scriptures, repetition of holy hymns (sutras/stavans), living a total compassionate life, meditation, and expressing devotion for the Tirthankaras.
During these pious days, we should not become a cause (Nimitta) of suffering for any living being. However recent technological advances have created a new environment for violence not visible to Jain leaders and common people. The use and abuse of animals raised for food and slaughter far exceeds our imagination.
The cruelty to dairy (milk) cows and other animals has reached its peak behind the walls of dairy farms and slaughterhouses.
At the end of the festival, the next morning before breakfast, every Jain must go personally to everyone he or she can reach on foot and beg for forgiveness and offer forgiveness to acquaintances, friends, relatives and business contacts. To those who cannot be reached personally, a letter is sent, in which we seek forgiveness.
Particular attention is paid to people with whom there is some outstanding problem or dispute. Unless and until forgiveness has been exchanged the fast cannot be broken. On the occasion of Samvatsari, we request your forgiveness, if we may have hurt you intentionally or unintentionally, by thoughts, words, or action.
