Book Title: ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02
Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
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on right path. For most of the people it is a day of fasting or eating only once in a day (Ekāsanā) etc.
Ananta Caturdaśī is a very important day. It falls on the 14th day. Most of the markets are closed on this day there are worships and most of the people spend the day in observing complete silence and total fasts. People make donations to assist the hospitals, animal hospitals, orphanages and other needy. From various organizations people gather in the temples for collecting donations.
After the completion of these holy ten days, Kşamāvāņi day or Forgiveness day is celebrated on the eleventh day. Apart from meeting, conferences and other functions, on kşamāvāņi day people send individual letters to their friends, relatives asking for forgiveness. Gandhiji observed this principle and found peace at heart. There are special issues in the newspapers on this day. To ask for forgiveness personally is really a great action which melts iron ill will and generates harmony.
During these days acts of charity for the poor and needy are undertaken like free eye operation camps, complete medical check up camps, wheel chairs are distributed for the handicapped. Clothes, sewing machines, food etc. free of cost are distributed. It signifies the essence of Jainism. Umāsvāmi says: "Parasparopagraho-jīvānām i.e. mundane souls support each other.
Dasalaksaņa Dharma /Ten Commandments / Ten observances These Ten Commandments or signs following which one leads to spiritual progress and uplift of self are called Daslakṣaṇa Dharma. To keep awareness or wakefulness constantly among the people, every year the last ten days of Bhādon month are celebrated as Daslaksaņa festival or known as Paryūṣaṇa Mahāparva.
These are the followings:
1. Supreme Forgiveness (Uttama Kşama) 2. Supreme Humility (Uttama Mārdava) 3. Supreme Straight forwardness (Uttama Ārjava) 4. Supreme Contentment (Uttama Saucha) 5. Supreme Truth (Uttama Satya)
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0
