Paryushana is an annual holy event in Jainism and is usually celebrated in August, September or October in the Hindi calendar month of Bhadrapad's Shukla Paksha.[ Jains increase their level of spiritual intensity often using fasting and prayer/meditation to help.]
Meaning
The word "italics=no" means "abiding and coming together". It is a time when the Jains take on vows of study and fasting.
Observances
Many towns have a procession leading to the main Jain temple. Ananta Chaturdashi marks the day when Lord Vasupujya, the 12th Jain Tirthankar, attained Moksha ( nirvana).
At the conclusion of the festival, followers request forgiveness from others for any offenses committed during the preceding year. Forgiveness is asked by saying "Micchami Dukkadam" to others. This translates to: "If I have offended you in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought, word or action, then I seek your forgiveness."
During the eight-day festival, the Śvētāmbara recite the Kalpa Sūtra, which includes a recitation of the section on the birth of Mahavira on the fifth day. Some Śvētāmbaras recite the Antagada Sutra, which details the life of 90 great men and women who attained moksha during the eras of the 22nd Tirthankar Neminatha and 24th Tirthankar Mahavira.
Fasting
During Paryushana, Jains observe a fast. The span of the fast can last from a day to 30 days or more. In Śvētāmbara sect, śrāvakas (laypeople) fast by having only boiled water that may be consumed between sunrise and sunset.
Requesting forgiveness
At the conclusion of the festival, śrāvakas request each other for forgiveness for all offenses committed during the last year.
Date
The date for Paryushana is Bhadra shukla panchami. For this duration, Paryushana must be initiated by panchami (the fifth day) of the shukla paksha phase of Bhadra. The last day is called Samvatsari, short for Samvatsari Pratikramana. Due to computational and other differences, there can be some minor differences among various sects. It comes at the time when the wandering monks take up temporary residence for the monsoon period or "chaturmas" ("four-month"). Because at this time the monks have settled in the town for a longer duration, it is time for the householders to have an annual renewal of the faith by listening to the statement of the Dharma and through meditation and vratas (self-control). Śvētāmbara celebrate an eight-day festival that ends with Bhadrapada shukla chaturthi.
It is believed that the devas (heavenly beings) do an eight-part puja (worship) of the , which takes eight days. Śvētāmbara Jains celebrate this period as Paryushana.
Closure
Slaughterhouses are kept closed for one to eight days during the Paryushana festival in Indian states that have a large Jain community population, including Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
See also
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