The day of Forgiveness
“I forgive all souls; let all souls forgive me. I am on friendly terms with all; I have no enmity with anybody”
“Samvatsari” is the festival of forgiveness, celebrated by Jains on the last day of the seven day religious period of Paryushan. This period of ‘Samvatsar’ comes 50 days after, and 70 days before, the close of the Chaturmas, a four-months holy period from July to October being celebrated with austerities and penance. Parvushan marks the most important holy days for Jains. During this period, they increase their level of spiritual intensity by fasting and meditation. The five main vows (Non- Violence, Truth, Non-Stealing, Chastity, Non-Possession) are emphasized during this period. Towards experiencing the nature of their being, scrupulous observance of rules concerned with eating and drinking are followed. In this way, the Jains try to subdue their senses and passions thereby freeing them from all the Karmas.
According to the Jain Philosophy, The Soul in its pure state is possessed of Infinite Perception or Faith (Ananta Darshana), Infinite Knowledge (Ananta Gyaan), Infinite Bliss (Ananta Sukha) and Infinite Power(Ananta Virya). The Jivas (Souls present in this world) have their purity and power covered with a thin veil of Energy (Karma matter) which has been accumulating in them from beginningless time. The natural qualities of the Soul (Knowledge, Love, Compassion, and other virtues) are thus more or less obscured and consequently, various conditions of weal (Punya) and woe (Paap) are experienced.
By experiencing the Nature of their spirit, one can realize the spiritual vision, extend the scope and scale of their Consciousness, and free themselves from Karmic Matter, to thus attain liberation. Here the Jain philosophy believes confession and consciousness of sins and wrongs committed or thought during the course of their lives is a necessity for the ultimate goal of liberation to be achieved.
Why is there a need to Forgive?
Looking at our surroundings, one can experience the entirety of Nature(Prakriti) settle on the Principle of Forgiveness. No matter what we do to her (to realize our utilities), she still fulfills our needs, by forgiving us never losing her own Nature (Swabhav) by accepting everyone and every deed of ours.
“Shama Viram Bhushanam”(Forgiveness adorns the brave). On the path of realizing the pure nature of the soul, on the day of Samvatsiri, Jains introspect on seeking forgiveness from all the beings in this world for having hurt them (knowingly or unknowingly) by any thought, speech or deed. Not just in seeking forgiveness, but one also forgives others by accepting their Nature (Swabhav). In this way, they try to feel their own state of being and their thoughts (for themselves and others) with a vision of Samyak Darshan (True Perception). The doctrine Samyak Darshan talks about understanding the true nature(Swabhav) of everything, and of every emotion, thus manifesting a vision of seeing things as they really are, with the right perception.
With the doctrine of Anekantavada (Truth can be expressed in infinite ways) Jain philosophy acknowledges the complexity and comprehension of the metaphysical truths. To seek Forgiveness is their way of cultivating their consciousness and realizing the harmony between their own spirit and the spirit of the world.
Having Ahimsa as the fundamental ethical virtue of Jainism, the philosophy shows the way out of the miseries of life, by proposing austerity, inward and outward, as the means to spiritual liberation.
In realizing harmony between all the spirits of the world, on the auspicious day of Samvatsari, let us forgive and seek forgiveness.
“If I have caused offense in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or unintentionally, in thought, word, deed, Michhami Dukkadam !”
