The holiest festival of Jainism, days of fasting and the asking of forgiveness from every living creature, down to the smallest.
Tagged: Ahimsa Fasting Forgiveness Jain
The practice
Paryushana is the supreme festival of the Jain year, kept for eight days by Shvetambaras and ten days, as Das Lakshana, by Digambaras, during the monsoon season when monks settle in one place. Its name means abiding, or coming together.
How it is kept
Jains fast, in full or in part, eat once a day before dark so no creature is harmed by lamplight cooking, and gather for scripture reading and reflection on the virtues. On the final day comes pratikraman, the rite of repentance, when each Jain asks forgiveness of all living beings with the ancient words: may my faults be forgiven, I forgive all who have hurt me, and I ask forgiveness of all I have hurt.
What it means
No festival on earth apologizes so widely. The Jain teaching that every soul, insect and plant included, is a life like one's own makes forgiveness a debt owed in every direction, and Paryushana is when the account is settled for the year.
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