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By Mr. Dinesh Vora The annual sacred religious period of the Jains is the Paryushan Parva. This period of one week is celebrated with fasting, religious reading, observing strict conduct specified by the religion, Deva-puja (lord worshipping), telling beads, observing silence, cultivating cool and equanimity (shanti), and under spiritual guidance of monks, preferably in the holy atmosphere of temples. In Paryushan Parva one also deepens the awareness of physical well being, and the health of the life ahead in conjunction with the spiritual observations. Fasting is a form of austerity (Tapah), a vow to abstain from food and drink in whole, or part, for a fixed period of time. Fasting, when observed in a true spirit, is a process of physical self purification and spiritual meditation. The process is designed to help one, to cleanse and purify, the soul of bondage of the karma matters, and to achieve progress on the spiritual path to Moksha(liberation). Fasting has various forms, and different levels of observations, from easy to strict. A Jain may develop the practice of fasting from early childhood by observing, imitating, following, and competing others in the household, or the community. Paryushan parva is a season of love. A Jain meaning of love is to recognize the holy soul hidden within every one, just like one's own, and behave compassionately, with care and understanding, and to offer honest, unselfish friendship to everyone. Paryushan parva is also the time when one donates, shares, and sacrifices his or her good fortune with those of lesser fortunate ones. This is the time people divert their attention from business and industry of the Sansaar (world of becoming), to the search of peace and sanctity of soul. The biggest of the big temples will look smaller for the Jain populace it has to serve during the Parva. Each day will be filled with the continuous activities of programs of sermons and homilies, Pujas(adoration) such as Snatrapuja, Panchkalyanakapuja, religious music, songs, dramas, recreations from the life stories of teerthankars, presentations, vows taking, etc. Traditionally the Kalpasutra authored by Aachharya Bhadrabahu, which is the ninth chapter in Dashaashrutaskandha, the Chhedasootra category of the Jain anga-baahya holy scriptures is read by monks to the people specifically on the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh day of the Parva. Kalpasootra contains the life characters, and history of teerthankaras, and also the rules of conduct. Kalpasutra details the biography of the last teerthankara Lord Mahavir. On the eighth, and the last day called "Samvatshari", the festive period is climaxed with "Pratikramana", a humble, religious activity to counter the forces of evil enslaving soul to its miseries. The forces of evil are the kashaayas(passions) within the life form, like krodha(anger), maana(pride), maya(delusion), lobha(greed). The most holy period is then concluded with the mutual, kindly, and cordial exchanges of expression of concern, and care, and exchange of "Michchhami Dukkadam". "Michchhami Dukkadam" is a prayer of a Jain Saadhak (moksha seeking person), which when interpreted in english is explainable as "I grant forgiveness to all living beings, and may all living beings grant me forgiveness. No one is enemy to me, and I am enemy to none. My friendship is with all the living beings. Whatever wrong I may have done by my thought, word, or deed - I earnestly, and humbly ask forgiveness and absolution." With the remote dear ones, Jains exchange michchhami dukkadam with greeting cards and/or telephone calls. Today is also the day when a Jain takes time to examine the religious, and spiritual mistakes and misses, to regret and repent for it, and to resolve firmly not to repeat it in the future. In this Paryushan parva, one may make determinations, and take his, or her Jain anuvratas (small vows), in witness of Maharaj, or Lord's idol in the puja room of your house, or community Jain temple, and the children in witness of parents or other guardians, only after their consent, and approval. A simpler vow may be that every day when you go to bed say "Namokaar Maha Mantra" at least once, and in the morning promise to start your day with "Namokaar Mahaa Mantra". Your religious practices will keep you humbler, and humbler you get higher you would go. ------------------------------------------------
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