JAIN FESTIVALS

Generally, festivals are celebrations and jubilations characterized by excitement, enthusiasm, enjoyments and entertainments; but the Jain festivals are characterized by renunciation, austerities, study of the scriptures, repetition of holy hymns, meditation, and expressing devotion for the Paramatma. Even those people who are caught in the meshes of mundane life, according to their ability and conveniences, get free from the worldly entanglements to the extent possible and become immersed in worship and meditation Renunciation and austerity constitute the very foundation of the Jain Dharma.

PARYUSHAN MAHAPARVA & DAS LAKSHANA

The word “Parva” means auspicious day. There are three types of auspicious days -

1. Ordinary (Sämänya) like every third day -beej (2nd), päncham (5th), etc.,

2. Incidental (Naimitik) like Mahävir Jayanti (Birthday) and

3. Natural (Naisargik) like Paryushan. The word “Paryushan” has several different meanings:

1. Pari + ushan = all kinds + to burn = to burn (shed) our all types of karmäs[1]. To shed our karmäs, we do twelve different types of austerities including fasting.

[1] Karman particles (non-living, very subtle substance) are attracted to the soul because of  false belief (Mithyättva), vowlessness (non-abstinence) (Avirati), negligence (Pramäda), passions (Kashäya) and Activities (Yogäs). These Karman particles that are attached to the soul are called karma. Karma is the hindrance (obstacle) that does not allow us to realize the true qualities of ätmä

2. 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 Svädhyäya[1] (self-study), meditation, austerities, etc., and

[1] Svädhyäya is one of the six internal tapas and one of the six daily activities of the householder. Svädhyäya is consisted of five elements. (i) vächanä- reading of the Jain canonical books; (ii) pruchhanä- asking the guru questions about them; (iii) parivartanä- repetition of what was learned previously so one does not forget; (iv) anuprekshä- deep contemplation of what was learned (with the meaning); (v) dharma-kathä- inspiring others about Jainism and listening to the exposition of religious parables. Great Ächärya Amitgati says, one cannot get rid off the darkness of his/her ignorance without the brightness of svädhyäya. Another great Ächärya Vamadeva says, svädhyäya is one of the four anuyogas propounded by the Jina. Ächärya Asadhara recommends the construction of svädhyäya-shäläs (schools) where there is no frequent visits by Jain monks and scholars.

3. Pari + upshamanä = upshamanä means to suppress, to suppress our passions (kashäyas - anger, ego, deceit and 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 faults. We try to forget about the needs of our body (like food) and our business so that we can concentrate on our-self.

[1] The message of Jina, Lord Mahdvira the last Tirthankara, is carried by  Ächäryas, our spiritual leaders. They have 36 attributes, (see the meaning of Panchindiya Sutra, Lesson 2 of Sämäyik). The responsibility of the spiritual welfare of the entire Jain Sangh (community) rests on the shoulders of Ächäryas. Before reaching this state, one has to do an in-depth study and have a thorough mastery of the Jain Ägams.  In addition to acquiring a high level of spiritual excellence, they also have the ability to lead the monastic communion. They should also know the various languages of the country and have acquired a sound knowledge of other philosophies, ideologies, and religions of the region and the world.

There are several great aphorisms (Sutras) to ask for forgiveness with the unity of the body, speech and mind, and one of them is as follows:

Khämemi Savve Jivä, Savve Jivä Khamantu Mi

Mitti Me Savva bhuesu, Veram majjham na Kenai.

Meaning: I forgive all the living beings of the universe, and may all the living-beings forgive me for my faults. I do not have any animosity towards anybody, and I have friendship for all living beings.

The process of shedding our karmäs really begins by asking for forgiveness with true feelings, and to take some vows not to repeat mistakes. The quality of the forgiveness requires humility (vinay - absence of ego) and suppression of anger.

Svetämbars[1] (one of the major two Jain sects) celebrate eight days of Paryushan and the last day is called Samvatsari. Digambars[2] celebrate Dash-Lakshanä Parva for ten days starting on the last day of Shvetämbar Paryushan. They celebrate ten best characteristics of the soul: Kshamä (forgiveness), Märdav (Humility),  Ärjav (straightforwardness), Shauch (content - absence of greed), Satya (truth), Samyam (restraint of all senses), Tapa (austerities), Tyäga  (charity), Äkinchan  (non-possessiveness) and Brahmachärya (celibacy).

[1] Svetämbar means white [cotton]-clad; name of Jain sect whose mendicants wear white garments

[2] Digambar means sky-clad; name of the Jain sect whose mendicants practice ascetic nudity

The Paryushan is the most important festival among the Jain festivals; and it is observed during every Chaturmas commencing on the twelfth day of the fortnight of the waning moon, in Bhadrapad and ending on the fourth day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Bhadrapad. During these eight days, the entire Jain Society becomes spellbound in an  atmosphere of enthusiasm and felicity. All Jains, the young and the old perform Atthai Tap  fasting for eight days at a time. Some men and women; and even children take the vow of Paushadh Vrat also for eight days During these days, the spiritual preceptors read out and explain in detail the Kalpasutra, the most sacred scripture of the Jains. All the members of the congregation listen to that explanation, overwhelmed with the emotion of devotion. Seven days are days of attainment and the eighth day is one of fulfillment or achievement In this manner,the Samvatsari Mahaparva the annual festival is celebrated. Listening to the holy voice of the spiritual preceptors when they explain the 1250 fundamental Sutras; performing the Samvatsarik Pratikraman,  (the annual atonement) for seeking the forgiveness of those people whom one hates or against whom one nurses a grudge; forgetting all hatred and spite‑these, constitute the Samvatsarik aradhana the annual atonement.

NAVPAD OLI

This has been described under the section, dealing with austerities. During the days of this festival, every day, worship is offered to the Navpad; and a dramatic performance of the story of Shripal and Mayana is carried out.

THE BIRTHDAY OF MAHAVIR

The birthday of Shraman Bhagwan, the last Tirthankar, is  celebrated on the thirteenth day of the fortnight of the waxing moon, in the month of Chaitra.  On this occasion, a grand chariot procession, community worship, glorification of the Lord, discussions, discourses, seminars and devotional and spiritual activities are organized. On this day, a magnificent celebration takes place at Kshatriy Kund in  Bihar because Bhagwan Mahavir was born there.

DIWALI

Diwali is celebrated on the new-moon day of Kartik. On the night of that day, Mahavirswami attained Nirvan or deliverance and attained to a state of absolute bliss. The Lord discarded the body and the bondage of all Karmas on that night, at Pavapuri and attained Mukti or deliverance. Chaturdasi (the fourteenth day of the bleak fortnight of Kartik), the full‑moon day and the new year (the first day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in Kartik ‑ These three days are celebrated with Paushadh, fasting, special repetition of holy hymns, and meditation. People should fast on the Chafurdasi (14th day) and the new‑moon day and listen to the Uttaradhyayan Sutra which contains the final message of Lord Mahavir.  The whole of the night of Diwali should be spent in the recitation of holy hymns and in meditation on Shraman  Bhagwan Mahavir. In the early morning of the first day of the new year, Ganadhar Gautam Swami, the first disciple of Lord Mahavir attained absolute enlightenment. The Jains begin the new year with a glorification of Lord Gautam Swami; and listen with devotion to the nine Stotras holy hymns and with listening to the auspicious Rasa (epical poem) of Gautam  Swami from their Guru Maharaj.

NEW YEAR

Lord Mahavir's chief disciple, Indrabhuti Gautam, had not been able to overcome his attachment to his master and that had prevented his achieving enlightenment. The barrier was only broken after a period of grief over his master’s Nirvän. He at last managed to achieve the highest degree of non­-attachment which enabled him to attain the stage of omniscience, the full enlightenment, in the early morning of the first day of the new year. The Jains begin the new year with a glorification of Lord Gautam Swämi; and listen with devotion to the nine Stotras (Navsmaran) and  the auspicious Räs (epochal poem) of Gautam Swami. Some fast for three days including the New Year day. The real wish should be that the whole coming year may be filled with realistic Dharma, intellectual serenity and equanimity.

BHAI BEEJ

The festival day for brothers.

When Raja Nandivardhan, the brother of Shraman Bhagawan  Mahavir was steeped in sorrow and anguish on account of the latter's nirvan (attainment of Mukti) his sister, Sudarshana  took him to her house and comforted him. This happened on the second day of the fortnight of the waxing moon, in Kartik. This day is observed as Bhai Beej. This festival is like Raksha Bandhan. On the day of Rakshabandhan, the sister goes to the brother and ties the Raksha; but on this day, the sister invites her brother to her house to felicitate him.

JNAN PANCHAMI

(The holy day for acquiring knowledge)

Jnan Panchami is the name given to the celebration that takes place on the 5th day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in Kartik (the 5th day after Diwali).  This day has been fixed for the worship of pure knowledge; and on this day, by way of worshipping knowledge, fasting, taking Paushadh,  devavandan (offering veneration to Gods). holy recitation, meditation, Pratikraman etc., are carried out. Moreover. the books preserved in the religious libraries are cleansed and worshipped .

ASHADH CHATURDASI

The sacred commencement of Chaturmas takes place on the 14th day of the fortnight of the waxing moon, in the month of Ashad. The Jain Sadhus and Sadhvis remain where they happen to be on that day until the 14th day of Kartik Shukla. They have to stay there. During these four months. among the Jains, many austerities like renunciation, tapasya, undertaking of religious ceremonies, etc., are organized. Even in respect of eating and drinking during these days, some rules have been prescribed.

KARTIK POORNIMA

The full moon day of Kartik

The Chaturmas that begins on Ashadh Chaturdashi comes to an end on the full moon day in Kartik.  After this, the Jain Sadhus and Sadhvis begin their wandering Padyatra i.e., travel on foot. A pilgrimage to Shatrunjay‑Palitana on this day is considered to be of great importance. Thousands of Jains go on pilgrimages on this day. This day also is celebrated as the birthday of Kalikalasarvajna, Acharya  Bhagavant Srivijay Hemachandrasooriji who was born on this day. (in Vikram Samvat 1134 or 1078 A.D.).

MAUN EKADASHI

(The holy day for observing silence).

Maun Ekadashi falls on the 11th day of the fort‑night of the waxing moon in the month of Margshirsh.  This is an important day for Jains on which they observe total silence‑Maun and carry outsuch austerities as Paushadh vrat, fasting, worshipping of gods, meditation etc. This is the day on which the great events relating to the one hundred and fifty Jineswaras are celebrated by means of holy recitation. The story of Suvrat Shresthi is connected with this day.

PAUSH DASHAMI

This day is famous as the birthday of Bhagwan Parshwanath.  On the 10th day of Pushya, hundreds and thousands of Jain men and women perform the tapasya of 3 Upavas‑attham (continuous fasting for 3 days) and by means of recitation and meditation they try to attain spiritual welfare. A grand fair takes place in Sankheswar which is a sacred place for Jains. Thousands of people gather here and perform the austerity of Attham.

AKSHAY TRITIYA

Those noble people who perform the austerity of Varsitap  complete the austerity on this day by taking sugar‑cane juice in the cool shadow of Shatrunjay.  Bhagwan Rishabdev  performed the Parana (completion of an austerity) on this day after fasting for one year continuously. This day is considered to be very auspicious for going on a pilgrimage to Shatrunjay. This falls on the 3rd day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakh.