Jainism For Beginners Level 02

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 36

JAIN FESTIVALS CELEBRATIONS ►
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2.
Meaning of PARYUSHAN
he word "Paryushan" has several different meanings:
1. Pari+ Ushan = all kinds + to burn = to burn (shed) all types of our Karmas. To shed our Karmas, we do twelve different types of austerities including fasting.
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Another meaning of "Ushan" is to stay closer. To stay closer to our own soul from all directions and to stay absorbed in our own-self (soul), we do Swadhyay (self-study), meditation, austerities, etc.
Pari+ Upashamana = Upashamana means to suppress, to suppress our passions (Kashayas anger, ego, deceit & greed) from all directions,
Therefore, the real purpose of the Paryushan is to purify our soul by staying closer to our own soul, to look at our own faults, to ask for forgiveness for the mistakes we have committed, and take vows to minimize our sins. We should try to forget about the needs of our body (like food) and our business so that we can concentrate on our soul during Paryushan.
Recitation of KALPASUTRA
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here are regular ceremonies in the temple and discourses of Kalpa Sutra (one of the sacred books) in the Upashray during this time. Kalpa Sutra, which contains a detailed account of Mahavir Swami's life in addition to the lives of other Tirthankars. It is read to the Jain congregation by Guru maharaj. On the third day of the Paryushan Parva, the Kalpa Sutra receives a very special reverence and may be carried in the procession. On the fifth day at a special ceremony, the replicas of auspicious dreams of Mahavir's mother queen Trishala, are exhibited to the people. which are then honored by them. Listening to the Kalpa Sutra, among others are the most important activities that should be performed by Jains during Paryushan. Scripture defines that Shravaks and Shravikas should perform the following five essential activities during Paryushan.
1. Amari Pravartan (Spread the message of non-violence)
2. Attham Tap (Fast for three consecutive days)
3. Chaitya Paripati (Go for a visit & prayers to different Derasars in town in group)
4. Swami Vatsalya (Honor & respect fellow Jains)
5. Kshamapana (Extend & ask for forgiveness by performing Pratikraman)