Jain Digest 1992 07 Vol 19 No 03

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 19

Jain Digest
Paryushan&Daslakshan August 24—September 10, 1992
Narendra Sheth - San Diego, CA
In the end of August, or beginning of September, we will have our annual festival of Paryushan Parva, which will end with the ritual of Samvatsari Pratikraman. We do it every year, so this time I will explain why.
First of all, why this ritual? Or, why any ritual at all? And if so, what is its meaning? Ever since I was young, I have been wondering on these questions. Why do we just sit down in dark, in one place, for more than an hour, and just listen to a tape? For all that time, we do not talk, laugh or move. We feel numb in legs, the body wants to move, but we don't, just to keep our parents from getting angry at us. Why? Why? I did never like it.
Many a times I avoided it with various excuses. Naturally, when I came to America, for a first few years, I did not do it. Then, the question arises, why I am doing it now, when my parents are too far to watch me? Two reasons.
Well, the first reason is, Kshamapana, the phrase "Michchhami Dukkadam." It means, "Please forgive my sins, faults, mistakes and lapses." At the end of Pratikraman we say "Michchhami Dukkadam" to each other. I think that it is a very beautiful concept of asking for forgiveness, at least, once a year. I missed it very much for many years, and then finally I decided to do it. I was also surprised to find out that I was not alone, many of my other friends wanted to join me too. In other words, all of us felt that the ritual was, after all, worth the trouble. The other reason is, that we are usually very busy with our daily work. We hardly spare a few minutes every day for a prayer, such as Navkar Mantra. Then every now and then we read, listen to, or discuss some of the principles of the religion. But they are just some, not necessarily all the principles. So our thoughtful forefathers started this ritual of listing a full summary of the religion, once a year.
What is religion? Religion is the way of living our life. If we just hear it, and don't put it into practice, what good is it? So they said that the ritual should also be put into practice. Not for just one hour, or one day, but for eight to ten days. During those days, we try to follow the religion very carefully. We call it Paryushan Parva, the festival of religion. In Jain calendar, the end of the month of Sharavan and the beginning of the month of Bhadarvo are the most auspicious days. So these days are selected for Paryushan Parva. Some sects hold them for eight days, and some for ten. But they all end it with the same Samvatsari Pratikraman, and Kshamapana. But there is some contradiction, you will say. Following religion is no fun, it is very much against any fun, and how do we call it a "festival"? Under the guns of "Don't eat this, don't drink that, don't talk like that," and so on, how can you enjoy it? Is that the definition of a festival? But I will tell you, that I do feel very excited for those eight days. Just the way we feel excited about Diwali
and Christmas, I feel for Paryushan also. I have good reasons for that also.
It is our experience, that telling a lie gives us a crummy feeling in the stomach. And it is true for many other things too. We wish that we never had to tell a lie, never had to get angry, or never had to do so many other sins. Does anyone "ENJOY" getting angry? So, I wish that I could give a firm order to myself, that no matter what happens, I will never get angry. Well, a lifetime order like this is difficult to carry out, at least right now, but I know that I can easily carry it out if it is only for a short time. And, if, after that time, the reason for my anger is gone by itself, as it does many times, I am glad about it! I "ENJOY" the fact that I did not get angry! The Paryushan Parva affords me an opportunity to observe these vows for a straight period of eight or ten days. If lucky, I may learn how to avoid getting angry, and form a habit of not getting angry, and it may become my lifetime vow! It has happened to many people.
Isn't it good to have avoided, for eight or tenstraight days, any crummy feeling? In those days I may have fasted, lived a simple life, not gone to any parties, and still I would have felt good, that I followed the right path that Mahavir Bhagwan has shown me. It becomes my true life experience, that happiness is not in outside things, but it is in inside, available only with voluntary self-controls. After all, I have spent a whole year trying to do things for other people, why shouldn't I spend eight days for my own self? My own soul?
If you have done something wrong, even if you are not caught, don't you feel guilty about it? And don't you feel better when you confess and be forgiven? Then you do feel again clean and light hearted. And that exactly is the objective of Kshamapana. Kshamapana means forgiving others, and seeking forgiveness from them. Itis mutual, two way traffic, not just one way. After the Pratikraman, we write letters to our friends and relatives, seeking their forgiveness. Just like Christmas cards and Diwali cards, in India, we also send Kshamapana cards.
During these holy days we spare a lot more time to read and discuss religious philosophies. We read life stories of Mahavir and other Tirthankars and other great souls. We hold daily lectures in larger cities. In small cities, we hold Svadhyay, what means self-reading and thinking, and meditating. In Diwali and Christmas we clean the house, and during the days of Paryushan, we clean our soul. So, even though there is no spectacular lightening shows or fireworks or gifts giving, the Paryushan Parva has its own charm, excitement, and celebration. In India, there would be huge processions and decorations also around temples. Because for the Jains, Paryushan Parva is the KING of all the festivals.