Paryushan Parva purifies. I find it amazing and inspiring that people throughout the world observe fasting for various religious reasons. Rituals have their place in society for many folks. Fasting is not a personal choice of mine; however, I do respect the intent. For most Westerners, we are not as attuned to this form of practice for personal self mastery. Our culture has, by and large, embraced the "instant gratification of needs" that is the hallmark of the MacDonald's mentality on fast foods. One might speculate that the notion of "drive through churches" has entered the minds of some religious leaders. Who knows? A happy meal with Sunday devotions? It might just serve folks who are too impatient to expend the time, the energy and the desire that it takes to embrace the richness of a true spiritual life.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-03/faith-and-ritual/30109615_1_paryushan-parva-forgiveness-jains
"The Paryushan Parva, an important annual Jain observance, is the time to uplift the self through fasting, meditation, soul-searching, self-study, compassion and forgiveness for all fellow beings."
"...this is a time for introspection, reflection and purification. It takes place during the rainy season, when travelling barefoot is difficult for Jain monks and nuns; so they make themselves available to the community for instruction and guidance."
Paryushan Parva purifies. That is an interesting notion, that mantra chanting seekers "find release through their own efforts and not by waiting for divine intervention." I really resonate with this statement. We have all been given Free Will to govern our lives. That these adherents are strong and self actualized enough to recognize that each and every one of us create our own reality, good or bad, is praiseworthy. Self governance is exactly how I feel about life in general.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-03/faith-and-ritual/30109615_1_paryushan-parva-forgiveness-jains
"The Paryushan Parva, an important annual Jain observance, is the time to uplift the self through fasting, meditation, soul-searching, self-study, compassion and forgiveness for all fellow beings."
"...this is a time for introspection, reflection and purification. It takes place during the rainy season, when travelling barefoot is difficult for Jain monks and nuns; so they make themselves available to the community for instruction and guidance."
Paryushan is the time when, to improve karmas, adherents perform 12 kinds of austerities, including fasting. They also do svadhyaya or self-study. The purpose of Paryushan is to stay close to your soul, reflect on your shortcomings, seek forgiveness for wrongdoings, remove internal corruption and vow to minimise mistakes."
"Daily meditation and prayers help one to look within and reflect on the teachings of the Tirthankaras for guidance. On the fourth day of Paryushan, it is customary for Murtipujak Shvetambars to read from the Kalpa Sutra, a scripture which recounts the life of Mahavira, the last Tirthankara. It recounts the story of his birth, life and liberation and details of the lives of other Tirthankaras and the rules of Paryushan.
Mahavira led a socio-spiritual, non-violent movement. He rejected the caste system and gender bias and promoted equity. He did not preach, but practised his philosophy. He liberated Chandanbala, a slave girl, and showed her the path towards eternal peace, purity, progress and spirituality. She became his disciple. He promoted a radical economic, political and social justice movement based on complete equality. He regarded all species of flora and fauna as integral to a composite moral community. He emphasised the concept of aparigraha or non-possessiveness to protect biodiversity from human greed. Mahavira lived a life of equanimity and tranquility."
"The fivefold mantra that is recited offers obeisance not to God, but to arihants or perfected beings, siddhas or liberated souls, acharyas or masters, upadhyayas or teachers, sadhus or renunciates. With mantra-chanting, seekers find release through their own efforts, and not by waiting for divine intervention."
Mahavira led a socio-spiritual, non-violent movement. He rejected the caste system and gender bias and promoted equity. He did not preach, but practised his philosophy. He liberated Chandanbala, a slave girl, and showed her the path towards eternal peace, purity, progress and spirituality. She became his disciple. He promoted a radical economic, political and social justice movement based on complete equality. He regarded all species of flora and fauna as integral to a composite moral community. He emphasised the concept of aparigraha or non-possessiveness to protect biodiversity from human greed. Mahavira lived a life of equanimity and tranquility."
"The fivefold mantra that is recited offers obeisance not to God, but to arihants or perfected beings, siddhas or liberated souls, acharyas or masters, upadhyayas or teachers, sadhus or renunciates. With mantra-chanting, seekers find release through their own efforts, and not by waiting for divine intervention."
Paryushan Parva purifies. That is an interesting notion, that mantra chanting seekers "find release through their own efforts and not by waiting for divine intervention." I really resonate with this statement. We have all been given Free Will to govern our lives. That these adherents are strong and self actualized enough to recognize that each and every one of us create our own reality, good or bad, is praiseworthy. Self governance is exactly how I feel about life in general.
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