Jainism For Beginners Level 02

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 35

Jain (estivals CELEBRATIONS
Maha Pawa PARYUSHAN
W
Saryushan Parva consists of
e ight days. It starts on twelfth or thirteenth day of the dark half of the month Shravan. The month of Shravan is in the monsoon season. Jain Sadhus & Sadhvis do not stay at one place more than a few days during nonrainy season. Monsoon showers & torrential rains, however make it impossible for the monks to travel across the country. This coupled with the principle of Ahimsa or nonviolence, make it difficult for them not to trample on & squash insects & other forms of life that emerge in the monsoon. According to our scriptures, the last of Paryushan Parva known as Samvatsari day is celebrated on 50 th day of the monsoon season. Sadhus & Sadhvis must settle during this time period & remain at that place for the remaining Monsoon season of next 70 days.
ainism
has a rich tradition of rituals and
festivals. Jain rituals and festivals emphasize the spiritual aspects of Jainism. During Jáin festivals, many events of Lord Mahavirs life are acted out in symbolic form to bring out the message of Lord Mahavir in a simpler way. Rituals and festivals involve the practice of Jainism as well as revitalization and strengthening of our beliefs in Jainism. The Jain festivals are known as Parvas. The word "Parva” means an auspicious day.
JAIN FESTIVALS CELEBRATIONS
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