ISJS Transactions 2018 07 To 09 Vol 02 No 03

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

Page 38

The Celebration of the Soul: An Analysis of Daśalakşaņa Dharma with
Special Reference to Supreme Forbearance
Atmarpit Shraddhaben*
Introduction
'Celebrations' or 'festivals' are the most enjoyable and awaited moments in one's life! Indeed, they provide a sense of freedom, happiness and harmony. Celebrations include activities like: spending hours trying to find the perfect hall, collecting funds to have delicious meals, making a guest list to ensure that no one is missed out along with the actual celebration itself. These are all part and parcel of a successful celebration. However, most
festivals' lead us to momentary impact, whether it is through indulgence in music, food or people. So, our entire energy is spent to perform and enjoy external activities. Can we consider these 'real' or 'true' celebrations? No.
A true celebration is that which will lead one inwards and enables him to celebrate the same for the rest of his life. So, let us make our existence a celebration, not just merely for a few hours. For this inner festival', one does not need external trappings like a 'grand hall', collect funds for food, etc. Rather, one needs to understand one's true self and its supreme virtues that are everlasting and in order to immerse in them. Ultimately, the practitioner experiences everlasting happiness or inner bliss. Everyone is invited to join this Grand Inner Festival called "The Celebration of the Soul', known as Paryusaņa Parva in Jainism. Paryusaņa Parva is celebrated throughout the world every year in the auspicious month *Bhādrapada'. In this festival, Jains observe the ten universal supreme virtues, the practice of which leads them to enhance their self-purification that ultimately leads to the attainment of liberation. It is an inward journey transforming from a human being to a 'Divine-being. Paryusana Parva or the 'Dasa Laksana Parva' is thus: 'the celebration through which the karmic matter attached to the soul is totally burnt through practice of penance/austerities.'
Since time immemorial, our soul has been embodied with layers of karmic impurities. Hence, it has forgotten its true nature (svabhāva) as it is deluded by ignorance; it is unable to realize its own pure nature and is constantly running after sensual pleasures derived from worldly objects. However, Jinas, the Enlightened Ones have pronounced ten supreme spiritual virtues (daśalaksana dharma) of the pure soul to learn, contemplate upon, practice in order to experience them. Doing so, the embodied soul reduces its delusion and moves to higher levels of spiritual purification and happiness. Paryusana Parva reminds us of this fact to realize lasting happiness. This is why we call it celebration of the soul and is very different from any ordinary worldly celebrations.
These 10 virtues are called the cardinal virtues. They are the inherent qualities of the soul. According to Jain scriptures, these 10 cardinal virtues are as follows: (1) Uttama Kşamā (Supreme Forgiveness/Forbearance), (2) Uttama Mārdava (Supreme Modesty/Humility). (3) Uttama Arjava (Supreme Straight Forwardness) (4) Uttama Sauca (Supreme Purity/Contentment), (5) Uttama Satya (Supreme Truthfulness), (6) Uttama Samyama (Supreme Self-restraint), (7) Uttama Tapa (Supreme Austerity). (8) Uttama Tyāga (Supreme Renunciation), (9) Uttama Akiñcanya (Supreme Detachment) and (10) Uttama Brahmacarya (Supreme Celibacy/Chastity). Ācārya Pūjyapāda said that these ten virtues have been stated
* Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur, Gujarat