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…..
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…..
Michchami Dukkadam.!
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