ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 366

Starting on 5th day then comes the 10th day observed as Sugandhada ami day, a great joyful, energetic and inspiring day to the children and all. People with sandal wood powder visit temples and offer the same in the fire pot signifying that bad habits, bad actions, bad ideas of a man, the inflow of Karmic matter may burn and he may achieve salvation. He may tread on right path. For most of the people it is a day of fasting or eating only once in a day (Ekasana) etc.
Anant Caturda i is a very important day. It falls on the 14" 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, K amv i day or Forgiveness day is celebrated on the eleventh day. Apart from meeting, conferences and other functions, on k am v i day people send individual letters to their friends, relatives asking for forgiveness. Gandhi Ji 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. Um Sw mi says: "Parasparopgraho Jv n ma" i.e. mundane souls support each other.
Daslak a a Dharma /Ten Commandments / Ten Observances
These ten Commandments or signs following which one leads to spiritual progress and uplift of self are called Daslak a a Dharma. To keep awareness or wakefulness constantly among the people, every year the last ten days of Bh don month are celebrated as Dashlakshan festival or known as Paryushana Mahaparva. These are the followings: 1. Supreme Forgiveness (Uttama Kshama) 2. Supreme Humility (Uttama Mrdava) 3. Supreme Straight forwardness (Uttama rjava) 4. Supreme Contentment (Uttama aucha) 5. Supreme Truth (Uttama Satya) 6. Supreme Restraint (Uttama Samayam) 7. Supreme Austerities (UttamaTapa) 8. Supreme Renunciation (Uttama Tyaga) 9. Supreme Non Attachment, Not taking, The Non-self for other self (Uttama Akinchana) 10. Supreme Chastity (Uttama Brahamcharya).
Supreme Forgiveness (Uttama k am )
Forgiveness is the sign of greatness. Forgiving others is the ornament of man. All the misdeeds and misbehavior done by others are pierced with the arrow of forgiving. It leads to the peace of the mind and satisfaction. On the contrary, if instead of forgiving, we adopt anger, ill-will, hatred and rough attitude, we lose our own mental balance and suffer in vain. We should forgive others and taking the unpleasant happening as the result of own in auspicious deeds. Forgiving is the ornament of brave and valiant. We must think that the ways that preserve our mental balance, peace and harmony is better. If we take vengeance to heart, it leads to greater harm for ourselves.
During our daily life there are various stances when we are happy, sad and angry. While angry we loose our sense of peace may react violently. It is the worst type of moment which may lead to any physical, mental and vocal harm. So it is better to control over anger and forgives the one.
There is one very beautiful example of Lord Mah v ra. After renouncing the world, the Lord reached Ujjain where he absorbed himself in austerity in the cremation ground. The people of that place
Page 356 of 556
STUDY NOTES version 4.0