Historical Perspective of Samvatsari Day and Jain Calendar

Author(s): Pravin K Shah
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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leaders of every center to work together to come to one conclusion based on time, place, and culture of our community in this country.
We recognize that ideally we should refrain from work and school activities during Paryushan to devote time for self reflection. But this is not practical and does not happen in real life. Better yet, why not be practical and celebrate Samvatsari on the 1st Saturday of September of every year (we do not have a rainy season that begins on Ashädh Sud 15 and we do not have Monks who are searching for a suitable place to stay during the rainy season).
Here are the benefits:
1. The first day of the Paryushan will be the last Saturday of August and hence all children, youths, and adults can do various penances, pujä at the temple, listen to discourses, and do Pratikraman in the evening. Generally the schools in America have summer holidays upto labor-day weekend.
2. The 2nd day will be Sunday - the Mahavir Jayanti (Janma Vänchan) and Swapna ceremony can be celebrated by all children, youths, and adults on this Sunday.
3. The following Saturday (1st Saturday of September) will be the Samvatsari day which is the last day of Paryushan for all Shvetämbar sects and is the Kshamäväni (Forgiveness) day - the 1st day of Paryushan/Das Laxan of all Digambar sects. Hence the entire Jain community can do Pratikraman and Kshamäväni (Forgiveness) Ärädhanä together. Digambars will continue Das Laxan for the next nine days as per their tradition.
4. The next day will be a Sunday and it is very convenient for Päranä for all Tapasvis and may be Bhävanä in the evening.
This way we will create a perfect environment for our children, youths and working adults to actively participate in the Paryushan and Das Laxan celebration without disturbing their school or work schedules in North America.
The Jain Study Center of North Carolina is one center in North America celebrating Paryushan Parva from Saturday to Saturday since 1988. Twenty four years ago after understanding the history of the Jain calendar, all the members decided unanimously to celebrate Paryushan Parva in such a way that the school and work schedules of the children, youths and adults are not disturbed.
The society has achieved great results. All children, youths and adults do penance and pujä on the first and last day (Saturday) and Samvatsari Pratikraman on a Saturday for the past 24 years (some adults have continued to do Samvatsari Pratikraman on the traditional day at their residences but bring their school age children on Saturday for Puja and Samvatsari Pratikraman). The suggested recommendation is my personal view and not of JAINA or the Jaina Education committee. This was just one recommendation. If we need to come to an agreement for any other day collectively we will provide full support for that day. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Please pardon me if I have directly or indirectly hurt any one's feelings by publishing this article. My only intention is to unite the entire Jain community.
Michchhämi Dukkadam
Pravin K. Shah (Raleigh, NC)
Chairperson Jaina Education Committee
Director of Jaina September 4, 2012
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