Michchhami Dukkadam

The most important day of the year for the Jain community is of Samvatsari …
The last day of Paryushan (Samvatsari) for the Shvetämbar sect and the first day of the Das Lakshana Parva (Kshamä) for the Digambar sect is the day of forgiveness .This is the day when all of us repent for our past sins, ask for forgiveness from family, friends, enemies, and especially from those with whom we have struggled, for hurting them in any way either knowingly or un-knowingly during the past year. It is essential to our spiritual advancement that we do not harbor ill will or hold grudges beyond a year. Hence, the annual occasion for repentance and forgiveness is the most important day in Jain tradition.
By meditating and purifying ourselves during these eight days of Paryushan, we come to realize ourselves. We call the Festival of Paryushan, the Festival of the Soul; for, when we forgive, we become one with the light of our soul. Developing the feeling of brotherhood towards fellow human beings and forgiveness for living beings, visiting neighboring temples, are all important activities at this time.
After performing the Pratikraman we ask everybody ‘Michchhami Dukkadam’ or ‘Khamat Khamana’. Michchhami means to be fruitless (forgiven) and Dukkadam (Dushkrut) means bad deeds. Therefore the meaning of Michchhami Dukkadam is my bad deeds (with you) be fruitless. So concept behind saying or writing someone Michchhami Dukkadam" is that if I have done any harm to you than those bad deeds to be forgiven (be fruitless).
So I would ask:
On This Auspicious occasion of ‘Samvatsari’ I beg forgivness for all My intentional and unintentional wrongdoings…..

Paryushana Parva

           Paryushana is the most auspicious occasion or Parv of the Jains. Paryushana can be litrally translated as “coming together from all directions” and is taken symbolically as a period when it is possible to re-establish closeness with the soul. It is the holiest time of the year for Jains.
The word “Paryushan”(Pari+Ushan) has several meanings:

• to burn (shed) all types of karmas.
• Another meaning of “Ushan” is, To stay closer to our own soul from all directions and to stay absorbed in our own-self
• Pari + Upashamanä = Upashamanä means to suppress, to suppress our passions (Kashäyas - anger, ego, deceit and greed) from all sources.

There are five essential activities of Parushana:

• Amäri Pravartan: Leading a non-violent life, working towards a non-violent world, and supporting animal welfare activities
• Sädharmik Vätsalya: Respecting fellow human beings and supporting humanitarian activities
• Attham Tapa: Observing fasts for the last three days of Paryushan
• Chaitya Paripäti: Visiting different different Jain temples and supporting other organizations
• Kshamäpanä :Repenting our sins, forgiving others and requesting forgiveness from others
  

           The original Prakrit(ardha-magadhi) term for Paryushana is "Pajjo-savana".We also call it “Pajusana”।The Shvetämbar sect observes Paryushan for 8 days while the Digambar sect observes it for 10 days where it is known as Das Lakshana Parva। During these eight or ten days, the entire Jain community becomes engrossed in an atmosphere of spiritual enthusiasm and religion.
           Some people fast for the entire period of eight or ten days, some for lesserperiods (a minimum fasting of the last three days is laid down in the scriptures). However,it is considered obligatory to fast on the last day of Paryushan. Fasting usually involvescomplete abstinence from food or drink, but during the daytime, drinking of water that has been boiled and cooled in the morning is a common practice. If one cannot fast for the whole day, eating only one meal also counts as limited fasting. On the last day those who have observed rigorous fasting are honored, especially to encourage others to follow their example.

Cheers!!!!

Yoursrohit!