Make the most of your Paryushan 2023!


Paryushan begins today and Das Lakshan is just around the corner.	View in browser

On behalf of the 2022-2023 Executive Board, Michhami Dukkadam and Uttam Kshama!

If we have hurt you, knowingly or unknowingly, through our thoughts, words, and actions, we humbly ask for your forgiveness.

Paryushan is a significant 8-day festival for Jains and can consist of fasting, complex rituals, a reflection on Jain principles, and prayers for forgiveness from all living beings. The word Paryushan has a few meanings: one is to burn all kinds of karma through austerities (Tap) and reduction of our passions (Kashayas). “Ushan” also means to stay closer, and Swadhyay (self-study), meditation, and Tap encourage us to get closer to our soul. The third meaning comes from the word Upashamanä, which means to suppress; we suppress our Kashayas during this time.

Everyone observes Paryushan slightly differently, in accordance with their spiritual goals and personal capacity. Below, you will find resources to help you observe the principles of Paryushan over the next several days. Over the next 8 days, expect nightly lightning talks along with prayers, a Kalpasutra Video, Virtual Chaitya Paripati, a Bhavanas Pathshala Module & Event, and much much more! You can also find this information at www.yja.org/paryushan.

YJA Lightning Talks, Nightly Prayers, & Reflections

YJA will be hosting a 15-minute Nightly Prayers Call via Zoom at 9:30 PM ET every night during Paryushan and Das Lakshan. We will start with a short Jainism Lightning Talk presented by our Education Committee Superstars. Make sure to check out our Instagram and Facebook stories to see what each day’s topic is – some include Jain Geography & What happens after death? Then we will recite prayers and reflect on our good and bad deeds from the day. We hope you can join us!

Here is a link to the prayers we will be reciting for your reference.

Call Link

YJA Virtual Event: Bhavanas Reflection Event

We invite you to join us in reflecting on day-to-day situations with the framework of Bhavanas, introspect on your personal habits, talk through your thought processes, and learn from other young Jains about their life experiences. We hope this time to reflect is something you can carry forward after Paryushan & Das Lakshan.

Join us on Sunday, September 17th at 5 PM ET on Zoom.

Join Here

YJA Bhav Pratikraman

The YJA Bhav Pratikraman, an audio and/or handout resource that can be used to reflect at the end of the day. This ~15 minute Bhav Pratikraman was designed specifically for college students and working professionals.

Throughout the year, we commit mistakes that malign our soul. Paryushan is an opportunity to repent for those mistakes. Let’s confess and feel the lightness with Bhav Pratikraman. Reviewed and recorded by Rashtrasant Param Gurudev Shree Namramuni Mӓhӓrӓj Sӓheb, this resource allows us to get one step closer to purity with confession of oblivious as well as conscious mistakes!

Audio

Handout

YJA Samvatsari Pratikraman Booklet with English Explanations

The YJA Samvatsari Pratikraman Booklet with English Explanations is a printable resource that can be used during the completion of Samvatsari Pratikraman (annual forgiveness and repentance day ritual).

With a complete outline of the Sutras to be recited, accompanied with brief English meanings, this booklet directs one to reflect on specific concepts throughout the Samvatsari Pratikraman. Reviewed by Ӓchӓrya Shrimad Vijay JaySundar Surishwarji Mӓhӓrӓj Sӓheb, this resource is sure to make Samvatsari Pratikraman more meaningful for all!

Access and Print Here!

Activity Tracker

Celebrating Paryushan away from home? YJA has you covered. Try these activities that allow you to reflect on Jain principles and don't require going to a temple, organized around the larger themes of the 3 As and the 5 Kartavyas (essential activities) for Paryushan. In addition, if you would like to track your Niyams, to practice self-restraint on consumable and non-consumable wants, fill out the 14 Niyamas Tracker.

Paryushan Tracker

Niyams Handout

Take a Vow!

This Paryushan and/or Das Lakshan, practice self-restraint by adopting one or more vows. Vows constitute anything that you decide to uphold (fasting, limiting social media use, spending time reading or listening to Jainism-related materials, etc.). They can be a great way to reinforce a positive habit or activity. Looking for ideas? Check out our vow generator!

If you’re planning on taking/do take a vow(s) for this Paryushan or Das Lakshan,let us know by 11:59 PM PT on Thursday, September 28th. YJA would like to spotlight you for working towards spiritual progress by taking on this meaningful obligation! Vow-takers up to the age of 29 are eligible to be spotlighted.

Vow Spotlight Form

Did You Know? There are five essential activities one should perform during Paryushan: Amäri Pravartan (working towards a non-violent world), Sädharmik Vätsalya (respecting fellow human beings), Attham Tapa (observing fasts for the last three days of Paryushan), Chaitya Paripäti (visiting different Jain temples), and Kshamäpanä (repenting our sins). See if you can maximize these this year!

Samvatsari Pratikraman External Resources (not hosted by YJA)

JAINA Samvatsari Pratikraman Audio Links

Zoom link to Samvatsari Pratikraman on Tuesday, Sept 19th at 5 PM ET.

Access the Pratikraman audio files on Jain E-library with an account through this link.

For information on participating in live Samvatsari Pratikraman, visit your local Sangh’s website or Jain E-library.

A reminder that Samvatsari Pratikraman is only to be performed on Samvatsari day. We encourage you to follow Samvatsari Pratikraman to the most authentic form and take time to learn the meaning of the sutras recited.

Young Jains of America is an entity of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America, a non-profit tax-exempt organization (IRS Code Section 501 (c)(3)).

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