Paryushana
Encyclopedia
Paryushana is one of the two most important festivals for the Jains
, the other being Diwali
. Normally Svetambara
Jains refer it as Paryushana, while Digambara
Jains refer it as Daslaksana. Paryushan means, literally, "abiding" or "coming together". It is also a time when the laity take on vows of study and fasting with a spiritual intensity similar to temporary monasticism. The duration of Paryusana is for 8 or 10 days and comes at the time when the wandering monks take up temporary residence for four months of monsoon. In popular terminology, this stay is termed chaturmas
a because the rainy season is regarded to be about four months. For this minimum duration, Paryushana must be initiated by Panchami
(fifth day) of the Shukla Paksha phase of the Bhadrapada month. In the scriptures it is described that Lord Mahavira used to start Paryushana on Bhadrapada pak
sha panchami
. After Mahavir, nearly 150 years Jain Samvatsari was shifted to Chaturthi (4th day of Bhadrapada of Shukla phase. Since 2200 years Jains follows Chaturthi.
The date for the Paryushana festival is thus Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi
for both major sects. Because of computational and other differences, there can be some minor differences among various subsects. Recently there has been an attempt to standardize the date. 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 by meditation and vratas (self-control). In the Digambaras, it is done by starting a 10-day period from Paryushana (Bhadrapada Shukla panchami) during which the dashalakshana vrata is undertaken. In the Shvetambaras an 8-day festival is celebrated that ends with Bhadrapada Shukla chaturthi. The last day is called Samvatsari
, short for Samvatsari Pratikramana.
During the 8-day festival, the Kalpa Sutra
is recited in the Swetmbara sect, that includes a recitation of the section on birth of Lord Mahavira on the fifth day. In the Digambara sect the Tatvartha-sutra of Umaswati is recited. On the dashami, the sugandha-dashami vrata occurs. The Digambaras celebrate Ananta-chaturdashi on the chaturdashi, special worship is done on this day. Many towns have a procession leading to the main temple.
The original Prakrit
(ardhamagadhi) term for Paryushana is "Pajjo-savana". In case of Jain terms, the Prakrit forms of the words are the original.
.
The annual Pratikramana is Samvatsari Pratikramana, in short Samvatsari
. Since it coincides with Paryushana, the terms "Samvatsari" and "Paryushana" are sometimes used interchangeably.
Pratikramana includes six avasyakas or essentials:
The detailed recommended procedure can be found in the handbooks. Detailed Pratikramana takes about 3 hours, however all essentials can be done in a much shorter time if needed.
Pratikramana is also sometimes termed Samayika in the Digambara
tradition.
By tradition certain postures are recommended for Pratikramana.
. Forgiveness is asked by telling "Micchami Dukkadam" or "Uttam Kshama" to each other. It means "If I have caused you offence in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought word or deed, then I seek your forgiveness".
In the full form, it is a 10 day vrata that comes every year. It may be undertaken during Shukla Panchami to Chaturdashi of Bhadrapada, Magh or Chaitra months. However it is common to do it during Bhadrapada.
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
, the other being Diwali
Diwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
. Normally Svetambara
Svetambara
The Śvētāmbara is one of the two main sects of Jainism, the other being the Digambar. Śvētāmbara "white-clad" is a term describing its ascetics' practice of wearing white clothes, which sets it apart from the Digambara "sky-clad" Jainas, whose ascetic practitioners go naked...
Jains refer it as Paryushana, while Digambara
Digambara
Digambara "sky-clad" is one of the two main sects of Jainism. "Sky-clad" has many different meaning and associations throughout Indian religions. Many representations of deities within these traditions are depicted as sky-clad, e.g. Samantabhadra/Samantabhadrī in Yab-Yum...
Jains refer it as Daslaksana. Paryushan means, literally, "abiding" or "coming together". It is also a time when the laity take on vows of study and fasting with a spiritual intensity similar to temporary monasticism. The duration of Paryusana is for 8 or 10 days and comes at the time when the wandering monks take up temporary residence for four months of monsoon. In popular terminology, this stay is termed chaturmas
Chaturmas
Chaturmas is a holy period of four months , beginning on Shayani Ekadashi—the eleventh day of the first bright half, Shukla paksha, of Ashadh —until Prabodhini Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the first bright half of Kartik in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.Chaturmas is reserved the...
a because the rainy season is regarded to be about four months. For this minimum duration, Paryushana must be initiated by Panchami
Panchami
Panchami is the fifth day of the fortnight in Hindu lunar calendar.-Festivals:Nag Panchami is a Hindu festival celebrated by Hindus in most parts of India. It is celebrated in Shravan month. On this day, people worship Nāga Devata . People go to temples and snake pits and worship the snakes...
(fifth day) of the Shukla Paksha phase of the Bhadrapada month. In the scriptures it is described that Lord Mahavira used to start Paryushana on Bhadrapada pak
sha panchami
Panchami
Panchami is the fifth day of the fortnight in Hindu lunar calendar.-Festivals:Nag Panchami is a Hindu festival celebrated by Hindus in most parts of India. It is celebrated in Shravan month. On this day, people worship Nāga Devata . People go to temples and snake pits and worship the snakes...
. After Mahavir, nearly 150 years Jain Samvatsari was shifted to Chaturthi (4th day of Bhadrapada of Shukla phase. Since 2200 years Jains follows Chaturthi.
The date for the Paryushana festival is thus Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi
Chaturthi
Chaturthi or Chaviti , is the fourth day of any lunar month in the Hindu calendar.-Festivals of Chaturthi:* Ganesh Chaturthi is one of prominent Chaturthi on which Lord Ganesha makes his presence on the earth....
for both major sects. Because of computational and other differences, there can be some minor differences among various subsects. Recently there has been an attempt to standardize the date. 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 by meditation and vratas (self-control). In the Digambaras, it is done by starting a 10-day period from Paryushana (Bhadrapada Shukla panchami) during which the dashalakshana vrata is undertaken. In the Shvetambaras an 8-day festival is celebrated that ends with Bhadrapada Shukla chaturthi. The last day is called Samvatsari
Samvatsari
Samvatsari is the last day of Paryushana —the eight or ten day festival of Jainism. It is the holiest day of the Jain calendar. Many Jains observe a complete fast on this day. The whole day is spent in prayers and contemplation. A yearly, elaborate penitential retreat called samvatsati...
, short for Samvatsari Pratikramana.
During the 8-day festival, the Kalpa Sutra
Kalpasutra (Jain)
The Kalpa Sūtra is a Jain text containing the biographies of the Jain Tirthankaras, most notably Parshvanath and Mahavira, including the latter's Nirvana...
is recited in the Swetmbara sect, that includes a recitation of the section on birth of Lord Mahavira on the fifth day. In the Digambara sect the Tatvartha-sutra of Umaswati is recited. On the dashami, the sugandha-dashami vrata occurs. The Digambaras celebrate Ananta-chaturdashi on the chaturdashi, special worship is done on this day. Many towns have a procession leading to the main temple.
The original Prakrit
Prakrit
Prakrit is the name for a group of Middle Indic, Indo-Aryan languages, derived from Old Indic dialects. The word itself has a flexible definition, being defined sometimes as, "original, natural, artless, normal, ordinary, usual", or "vernacular", in contrast to the literary and religious...
(ardhamagadhi) term for Paryushana is "Pajjo-savana". In case of Jain terms, the Prakrit forms of the words are the original.
Fasting
Most of the Jains observe fast and Ekasan (meal/water at once in a day) and soak themselves in the rituals associated with the event and try to ready themselves for a virtuous life. The span of the fast could be anything between a day and 30 days or even more. In Digambar sect Shravakas do not take water or water (boiled water) at once in day time during observing fast, while in Swetambar sect those observing a fast survive on boiled water, which could be consumed only between sunrise and sunset.Pratikramana (Samayika): Renewal meditation
On all the eight/ten days, Jains begin their day with ‘pratikraman’ at 5.45 in the morning, followed by prayers for promoting universal peace and brotherhood. Pratikramana means turning back. It is a form of meditation, called Samayika where one reflects on his spiritual journey and renews his faith. For both Swetambaras and Digambaras, it takes the form of periodic meditation. The period can be twice daily (morning and evening), once every lunar phase, every four months, or every year. The annual Pratikramana in some form is the minimum for a SravakaSravaka
Shravaka or Śrāvaka or Sāvaka means "hearer" or, more generally, "disciple".This term is used by both Buddhists and Jains. In Jainism, a shravaka is any lay Jain...
.
The annual Pratikramana is Samvatsari Pratikramana, in short Samvatsari
Samvatsari
Samvatsari is the last day of Paryushana —the eight or ten day festival of Jainism. It is the holiest day of the Jain calendar. Many Jains observe a complete fast on this day. The whole day is spent in prayers and contemplation. A yearly, elaborate penitential retreat called samvatsati...
. Since it coincides with Paryushana, the terms "Samvatsari" and "Paryushana" are sometimes used interchangeably.
Pratikramana includes six avasyakas or essentials:
- samayika: to stay in equanimity by withdrawing to the self.
- Chauvisantho or Prayers to the Five Supremes, 24 Jinas and the 4 mangalas, including the DharmaDharmaDharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...
as presented by the ancient Masters.| - Vandana or Prayer to the Master(Guru) or the DeityDeityA deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
. - Pratikramana or reflections on vratas and past transgressions.
- KayotsargaKayotsargaKayotsarga is a yogic meditative posture that is also part of the Preksha meditation. Most of the Tirthankaras of Jainism are depicted in Kayotsarga posture. Kayotsarga means to give up one's physical comfort and body movements, thus staying steady, either in a standing or other posture, and...
: detachment from the body by controlling it. - Pratyakhyan: making resolutions or vows.
The detailed recommended procedure can be found in the handbooks. Detailed Pratikramana takes about 3 hours, however all essentials can be done in a much shorter time if needed.
Pratikramana is also sometimes termed Samayika in the Digambara
Digambara
Digambara "sky-clad" is one of the two main sects of Jainism. "Sky-clad" has many different meaning and associations throughout Indian religions. Many representations of deities within these traditions are depicted as sky-clad, e.g. Samantabhadra/Samantabhadrī in Yab-Yum...
tradition.
By tradition certain postures are recommended for Pratikramana.
Requesting Forgiveness
At the conclusion of the festival, the Sravakas request each other for forgiveness for all offenses committed during the last year. This occurs on the Paryusha day for the Swetambara and on Pratipada (first) of Ashwin Krashna for the DigambaraDigambara
Digambara "sky-clad" is one of the two main sects of Jainism. "Sky-clad" has many different meaning and associations throughout Indian religions. Many representations of deities within these traditions are depicted as sky-clad, e.g. Samantabhadra/Samantabhadrī in Yab-Yum...
. Forgiveness is asked by telling "Micchami Dukkadam" or "Uttam Kshama" to each other. It means "If I have caused you offence in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought word or deed, then I seek your forgiveness".
Dashlakshana Vrata
These are the ten Lakshan of Dharma: Uttam Kshama (forbearance), Uttam Mardava (gentleness), Uttam Aarjava (uprightness), Uttam Satya (truth), Uttam Shauch (purity), Uttam Sanyam (restraint), Uttam Tap (austerity), Uttam Tyaga (renunciation), Uttam Aakinchanya (lack of possession) and Uttam Brahmcharya (chastity), as described by Acharya Umaswami in Tattvartha Sutra.In the full form, it is a 10 day vrata that comes every year. It may be undertaken during Shukla Panchami to Chaturdashi of Bhadrapada, Magh or Chaitra months. However it is common to do it during Bhadrapada.