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卐骟卐䯄 JAIN CENTER OF AMERICA PARYUSHAN 1984
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Gurudev Chitrabhanu
Paryushana can be literally translated as "coming together from all directions." This meaning is a symbol for growth and transformation. The purpose of life according to Jain teaching is to realize oneself, to experience wholeness, peace and reverence for life..
PARYUSHANA
We call the Festival of Paryushana the Festival of the Soul; for, when we forgive, we become one with the light of our soul. Without forgiveness, each of us is like a lamp whose inner flame cannot penetrate the fine particles of soot which smear the outer chimney; but, when we wash away these subtle grains of anger, resentment and hatred with forgiveness, then the radiant soul within shines forth its rays of joy and peace.
This teaching is not a religious dogma. It is a principle of life inherent in the nature of the soul. Anyone who strives for success in his chosen field of endeavor must learn the principles governing that field.
If you are an electrician, for example, you must be familiar with the laws of electricity; otherwise it may injure or even kill you. Just as an electrician studies the principles of the medium in which he works, so must we learn the principles of life itself.
In the past, when people were simple and illiterate, religion evolved rules for them to follow: "Thou shalt," "Thou shalt not", and the people obeyed. They were presented with the concepts of an outward reward, and they accepted without any question. But today we live in a world where even our children ask, "Why?"
This is the dawning of a new age of understanding, the truth, which was mysterious and inaccessible in the past, is now revealed to us by experienced teachers. Now we must understand the law of life so that it may become the religion which brings us closer to our own godhood.
In ignorance, people have blamed others and God for their misery and unhappiness, which were in fact their own fault, and pleaded to God to make them happy by forgiving them. This did not work, so they became unhappy.
The Arihantas showed mankind the cause of misery and anger. If we are angry we cannot think, for our thoughts become like sparks burning inside us. But if we stop to think, we see the cause of our anger. So we must take the time to calm down, to sit by ourselves and contemplate what we are really doing.
Meditating and purifying ourselves during these eight days of Paryushan we come to realize ourselves.
卐5卐5
I forgive all Souls, may they forgive me. Let my heart be free from hatred and resentment. Let my love go forth to all beings. Let the Perfect Souls witness that I truly bear no animosity toward any living being.
Jain Education International
KHAMIYA KHAMAVIA MAI KHAMAHA SAVVA JIVA NIKAYA SIDDHA SAKHA ALOYENA MUJJA VAIRA NA BHAVA
श्वमिअ स्वमावि मइ श्वमह सव्वह जीय निकाय ।
सिटह साश्य आलोयण, मुज्झ वइश् न भाव ॥
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