________________
Version 001: remember to check http://www.Atma Dharma.com for updates
The Great Festival of Ten Virtues
Whenever discussion on festivals is held, their relation is often established with eating drinking and playing. For example, on the day of 'Raksha--Bandhan", special dishes of 'Kheer' and 'Laddus' are served, Tops are played, 'Rakhi' is tied; on the day of 'Holi', special dishes are prepared, colours are sprinkled, 'Holi' is burnt; on the day of 'Deepawali', crackers are burst, lamps are lighted, 'Laddus' are offered (to celebrate the salvation day of the omniscient Lord Mahaveera) and sweets are exchanaged.
But the Jaina-festivals, like 'Ashtanhika' and 'Das Lakshana' etc., have their relation with giving up of eating and playing and not with taking food and playing games. These are the festivals of continence and not of enjoyment; hence, are called great festivals. Their greatness lies in abstinence and not in amuse
ment.
If you ask a jaina as to how is the great festival of the ten virtues celebrated, he will reply by saying that during these days people observe abstinence, worship the almighty (omniscient Lord), Observe vows, fasts etc. and do not eat vegetables. They spend their maximum time only in reading the scriptures and holding discussions on it. Everywhere discourses on the scriptures by learned scholars are organized. In these gatherings, differentias of ten virtues, supreme forbearance etc; are ained. All people accept some kind of renunciation according to their capacity, offer donations and keep engrossed n various types of religious activities. Thus, a religious atm. sphere is obtainable everywhere.
+1
Please inform us of any errors on rajesh@Atma Dharma.com
