A season of reflection
Paryushan (from roots meaning “to stay” or “to come together”) is the holiest annual observance in the Jain calendar. It is a time to step back from everyday life: to fast, to study the scriptures, to listen to the teachings of monks and nuns, to reflect on one’s conduct, and above all to seek and offer forgiveness.
Shwetamber Paryushan
In the Shwetamber tradition, Paryushan lasts eight days in the month of Bhadrapada. The Kalpa Sutra, including the life of Bhagwan Mahavir, is read. Many people fast, some for all eight days. The last day is Samvatsari, the day of the annual pratikraman, a ritual of reflection and repentance. At its close, people ask forgiveness of everyone they may have hurt, in thought, word or deed, knowingly or unknowingly, with the words “Michhami Dukkadam”.
Digamber Das Lakshana Parva
In the Digamber tradition, the observance is Das Lakshana Parva, ten days devoted in turn to ten virtues: forgiveness, humility, straightforwardness, contentment, truth, self-restraint, austerity, renunciation, non-possessiveness and celibacy. It begins on Bhadrapada Shukla Panchami and concludes with Kshamavani, the day of forgiveness.
The two observances follow one another, so in many cities the Jain community observes nearly three weeks of Paryushan and Das Lakshana together.
How the dates are set
Shwetamber Samvatsari is traditionally on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi (Panchami in some traditions), with Paryushan’s eight days leading up to it. In years with a lost or repeated tithi, or an Adhik maas, sanghs apply their own conventions, so Samvatsari can fall on different days for different sanghs in the same year. Each sangh’s calendar is the authority for its members. See Jain sects and their calendars.
How OIOA helps
- The Jain Home screen shows the tithi at sunrise for your location, in the calendar of your sect: Shwetamber, Digamber, Khartargachh, Sthanakwasi and others.
- Daily Navkarshi and sunrise and sunset times for fasting.
- Reminders for each day, and cards for Michhami Dukkadam.
Wishing someone
During Paryushan, “Jai Jinendra”. At its close, “Michhami Dukkadam”, asking forgiveness. It is a lovely thing for friends of other communities to say too.