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180: JAINS TODAY IN THE WORLD.
liberation and the 10h day is celebrated the illumination of Lord Mahāvīra (Mahāvīra's kevala-jñana).
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Lunar month of “Jyeștha” (May/April)
The 12 h day of the dark fortnight of this month Jains commemorate Ananta's birth, the 14th day Nami's birth and liberation and sānti's nirvāṇa.
The 4th day of the bright fortnight it is the evocation of Dharma's liberation. The 5th day, the Digambara celebrate the anniversary of the final version of their canon. It is “Śruta-pañcami". Their sacred books are particularly venerated on this occasion, as well as their great authors, especially Puspadanta, Bhūtabali and Kundakunda. The 12h day Jains commemorate Supārsva's birth.
• Lunar month of “Āşādha” (June / July)
The 8th day of the dark fortnight of this month Jains celebrate Vimala's liberation and the 10 day the anniversary of Nami's birth.
The 6th day of the bright fortnight it is the anniversary of Lord Mahāvīra's conception. From the 8ch to the 15th day of this fortnight Jains keep fast. It is “Āsādha-astāhnika” or “Aşādhi-atthāi”. The 14th day is for the Švetāmbara the four-monthly "Caturdaśi”. The 15" day takes place the festival called “Guru Pūrņima" in memory of Lord Mahāvīra's choice of a first main desciple in the person of Indrabhūti Gautama. During that celebration Jains honour especially their “Guru", their “Ācārya” and their “Upadhyāya". This 15" day is also the day of full moon and the "cāturmāsa caudasa", the beginning of the rainy season. The ascetics are welcomed by the laity with joy; they meet them again, receive their blessings, listen to their preachings in their "upāśraya”, etc.
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