________________
RITUALS
DO7 - Jain Festivals (Parvas) and Celebrations
In fact, the right belief and the right knowledge are the basis for the spiritual progress for the living being. Ten attributes or the virtues are the part of the conduct attribute, when the soul obtains enlightenment. Therefore, right belief and right knowledge are the roots for the tree of right conduct to grow. These Ten Commandments or attributes are the name of the natural dispositions originated in the presence of right belief and right knowledge and there is absence of wrong belief and passions. 04 Mahavir Janma Kalyänak (Mahävir Jayanti) Mahävir Jayanti is also another important Jain festival. The Jain community observes the birth anniversary of Lord Mahävir with great devotion. Mahävir Jayanti falls on the 13th day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra (March-April according to the Christian calendar). He was born to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala in 599 B.C. in the city of Kshatriya Kunda in Lachhavad district. It is a day to remember and worship Bhagawan Mahävir and all other Tirthankars. Unlike most Indian festivals, Mahavir Jayanti, in keeping with the austere nature of Jainism, is celebrated with great sincerity and devotion. For the Jains, quiet celebrations, visits to temples, prayers and worship mark the birth anniversary of the Mahävir. Visiting various pilgrimage places is also a vital part of the celebration. Special prayers are also offered at the Jain temples. People attend sermons to learn the teachings of Lord Mahävir. This day reminds us the supreme compassion of Bhagawan Mahävir and the path to liberation he has preached. Temples are decorated to express devotion and joy for the occasion of Bhagawan's birthday. At many temples elaborate worship rituals and the rite of Abhisheka are carried out quite enthusiastically. Some communities even celebrate this day by carrying out grand processions with the idol of Bhagawan Mahävir in an elegant chariot. It is also an educational and fun experience for Jain youth to celebrate this day by expressing Bhagawan Mahävir's message through cultural activities like speeches, plays, songs, and dances related to Bhagawan Mahävir's life. The Murtipujak Jains visit temples and worship the statue of Lord Mahävir; the Non-murtipujak Jains emphasize the internalization of the faith. The event holds special significance in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan because the ancient Jain shrines at Girnar, Delwädä, and Palitana are situated in these states. Mahävir Jayanti is also celebrated at Päväpuri in Bihar state where Lord Mahävir attained nirvana. 05 Diwali Diwali is a festival of celebrations in India and among Indians all over the world. It is an occasion for happiness and togetherness. This is an occasion where everyone, irrespective of his or her religious and economic background, celebrates Diwäli. It teaches us to uphold the true values of life, to destroy ignorance that prevents humanity, and to drive away darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge. The word 'Diwali' comes from the Sanskrit word, 'Deepävali'. 'Deep' means light and Ävali' means a row, i.e. A row of lights. Diwali is celebrated on New Moon Day, the last day of the year in the month of Ashwin or Aso. People show their happiness by lighting earthen lamps, and decorating their houses with rangoli, and inviting family and friends for a feast. In Jainism, the lighting of lamps is symbolic of lighting the lamp within us. Just as a light brightens everything around it, our presence should brighten people around us. We should be of help to others and bring peace and happiness to them and to ourselves. For Jains, Diwali marks the anniversary of the attainment of Moksha by Mahävir-swämi in 527 BC. The festival falls on the last day of the month of Ashwin, the end of the year in the Indian calendar. But the celebration starts in the early morning of the previous day as Lord Mahävir commenced his last sermon final discourse known as Uttaradhyayan, which lasted until the night of Diwali. At midnight, his soul left his body and attained liberation, Moksha. Eighteen kings of northern India were present in his audience at the time of His final sermon. They decided that the light of their master's knowledge should be kept alive symbolically by lighting of lamps. Hence it is called Deepävali or Diwali. (Deep means a lamp and
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
Page 247 of 398
