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Paryushana: A Week of Forgiveness
Fall 2010
Jain Meditation International Center Autumn 1980
Pary means “from all directions, from all around.” Ushana means "to stay”. Paryushana then means to come from all directions and to stay, to be still. It means to stop moving all around and to stay close to oneself. 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.
These eight days each year are set aside for the practice of special observation of one's thoughts, words and actions and for reflection on the past year's relations and personal experiences. Each aspirant cleans his or her heart of all old resentments and anger, of any jealousy and competitiveness, and seeks forgiveness from others for any pain he or she may have caused.
This is a special time for calm and quiet introspection, for thinking less of oneself and more of others, for renewing one's touch with oneself and with all life. How can we learn to be more aware and sensitive, to harm life less and bring more joy and friendly feeling into the world? These are the questions of Paryushana.
On the final day is the ceremony of Pratikramana, which means to step back. This marks the climax of the week of forgiving. It is a time when we look at our lives and remove any traces of negativity, resentment, or injury we find within. In this meditation we free ourselves of heaviness and return to the world refreshed. And we say to one another: Mi Cha Mi Dukka Dum, which means, "If I have hurt you in any way, I ask your forgiveness."
On the Wings of Light and Love - Volume Two - 75
