Paryushan Parva
PARYUSHAN PARVA
Paryushan is an eternal festival relating neither to people
nor to any historical event. It is a time to celebrate the natural
qualities of the Soul. Just as the Soul does not have a beginning
or an end, Paryushan does not have a beginning or an end.
It falls three times a year but is only celebrated once, around
August/September because at this time, business is slow (in
India), businessmen can take time off for spiritual pursuit.
Also,
it is the time of the monsoon retreat for monks and nuns in
India. During this time when insects flourish, the monks and
nuns reside in one city or community to avoid long distance
travel so as to minimize trampling or harming living beings.
Eating, drinking and being merry are normally associated with festivals, but Paryushan is the festival for spiritual upliftment. During Paryushan, Jains practice penances, vows, fasts, scriptural studies, and Pratikraman.
If not fasting, they refrain from eating
green vegetables. The reason for these practices is to have the
mind and body focus more on the inner qualities and virtues of
the Soul and cleanse the body
We forgive those who have wronged us and seek forgiveness from those we have wronged. Forgiveness is sought not just from human colleagues, but from all living beings ranging from one sensed to five sensed. If we do not forgive or seek forgiveness but instead harbor resentment, we bring misery and unhappiness on ourselves and in the process shatter our peace of mind and make enemies. Forgiving and seeking forgiveness oils the wheel of life allowing us to live in harmony with our fellow beings. It also attracts meritorious karma.


Very informative about jainism
ReplyDeleteVery written Bhavika
ReplyDeleteWell researched
ReplyDelete