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• Diwali is my favorite Jain festival because it is a time when all the family comes together and celebrates for the cause where Mahavir Swami got Moksha. Not only that but the food is good and it feels nice to see all your family members after a while. And the part where we blow up firecrackers is nice too. But most importantly, Diwali is to me the most important also because all the lights and noise remind me that the 1st tirthankar got Moksha. (Aniket Patil, 14, Westland, MI)
• I enjoy all festivals of all faiths in general because they're all different in
their own ways and I like listening to the stories behind each festival. I always look forward to Navratri because I get to dress up in colourful Indian suits and play Garba with all my friends. (Rina Shah, 14, London)
• Paryushana is my favorite Jain festival because it teaches self control. It also teaches to minimize food indulgence and to focus more on God and religion. It also encourages people not to eat foods that harm many souls like garlic, onions or potatoes. It is also a peaceful time where people go to derasar almost everyday and practice their religion. At this time, the whole Jain community supports each other and encourages each other to fast and concentrate on religion. When I did atthai, which is doing 8 upvas in a row, my brother was doing it at the same time and we would support each other through the process. We would go to derasar every day, do pooja, and other people would encourage us as well, making us feel that we could do this type of fasting. Also at this time, there were many lecturers that came to the derasar from different places that came to teach us more about Jainism. Another part of paryushana is doing Pratikaman, which is repenting one's sins. We do certain procedures to ask for forgiveness for all the sins we have committed and forgive others for pain they may have inflicted upon us. It is a way to cleanse yourself of you sins for that year, and after Pratikaman is done, one usually feels peaceful and feels that they have a clean slate. (Rajvi Vora, 16, Marlton, NJ) <>
At this time,
the whole Jain community supports
each other and encourages each other to fast and concentrate on
religion. When I did atthai, which is doing
8 upvas in a row, my brother was doing it at the same time and
We would support each other through the process.
Painting Courtesy: Mahendra Shah
14th Biennial JAINA Convention 2007
206
PEACE THROUGH DIALOGUE
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