— SACRED TIME —

Paryushana

September 23 · Jainism · Eastern traditions

Moveable date

Esoteric and historical meaning

Eight days of asceticism and forgiveness culminating in Samvatsari: asking forgiveness from every being for any harm, even unintentional.

Operative mechanics — ritual acts

·Full or partial fasting
·Reading of the Kalpa Sutra
·Michhami Dukkadam: explicit request for forgiveness to all

Traditional foods

·Boiled food, no root vegetables
·No meals after sunset

Offerings

·Renunciation and atonement for wrongs

Taboos to respect

·No violence, not even towards insects
·No root vegetables (they kill the plant)

Associated symbols

Hand with wheel (ahimsa) · White · Jain swastika