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Starting an ongoing thread on #Jainism. Inspired by my stay in Surat where I got a deeper Jain experience. 
#thread
#thread
Pic from a Jain temple celebration I went to yesterday. Beautiful floral decoration - intricate and grand. Surreal due to the oil lamps. They don't use electricity inside the temple as much as possible to reduce their killing (bacterial life) footprint.
#surat #jain
#surat #jain
Old #Jain temples in Surat. Structures are a few 100 yrs old. Very interesting at that.
But idols are a nice 1000-2000 yrs old. The structures were demolished by Mughal invaders but idols saved and now placed in newer temples. But they stand out.
#maproute
But idols are a nice 1000-2000 yrs old. The structures were demolished by Mughal invaders but idols saved and now placed in newer temples. But they stand out.
#maproute
These are the shikharas of the Suraj Mandan Parshwanath Jain temple. The city of Surat is said to be named Surajpur after this Suraj Mandan Parshwanath. It then changed to #Surat.
We couldn't visit inside as it was closed for the day.
#maproute #jain
We couldn't visit inside as it was closed for the day.
#maproute #jain
Parshwanath is the 23rd Jain tirthankar. The one before Mahavira. And almost always depicted with a hood of snakes.
Like this one seen in what is now considered the oldest Jain temple structure in Surat - Chintamani Parshwanath. (abt 400yrs old).
#maproute #jain
Like this one seen in what is now considered the oldest Jain temple structure in Surat - Chintamani Parshwanath. (abt 400yrs old).
#maproute #jain
Jains are prepping for the Paryushan starting this Monday. Shwetambar Jains.
The last day, the Monday after, for us is the first day of paryushan for Digambars.
Paryushan mahaparv
#jain
The last day, the Monday after, for us is the first day of paryushan for Digambars.
Paryushan mahaparv
#jain
And it is the waning side of #Shravan for us. So paryushan for us starts on Shravan Vad 11 and ends on Bhadrapad Sud 4.
#jains
Biggest day for us is Samvatsari on Bhadrapad Sud 4.
#jains
Biggest day for us is Samvatsari on Bhadrapad Sud 4.
So Digambars have their full paryushan in Bhadrapad, I just realised. Not that it makes major (or any 
) difference, just find it interesting.
) difference, just find it interesting.
Jain temple shikhara in Coimbatore. A small but fairly active and interesting #Jain community in this Tamil town.
Spent half my paryushan in Coimbatore caught up with something else. So not managed to focus much on it. And tomorrow is the last (main?) day already.
#MichchamiDukkadam
#MichchamiDukkadam
Wrote a post on how Michchami Dukkadam rituals brings humility to my actions http://me.priyankawriting.com/2019/09/02/mithya-me-dushkritam-michchami-dukkadam-humility-to-my-actions/
As Hinduism is seeing resurgence and breaking away from silly traditions to more meaningful ones... people are sceptical of it or consider it a fall out of hindutva politics. But the same is seen in Jainism also.
Until few years back, Samvatsari (yesterday) was the day to wish all social circles 'Michchami Dukkadam'. Humans being humans, would then proceed to inane chatter.
Considering that this is the biggest day for austerities and penance and all that, social calls were bizarre.
Considering that this is the biggest day for austerities and penance and all that, social calls were bizarre.
And then some people started wishing 
the day before Samvatsari. Which made no sense cause people would be possibly peaking their penance.
Finally, seeing two trends either they are wishing before paryushan - so as to wash out all hang ups and grudges with social circle.
the day before Samvatsari. Which made no sense cause people would be possibly peaking their penance. Finally, seeing two trends either they are wishing before paryushan - so as to wash out all hang ups and grudges with social circle.
Or they are wishing after Samvatsari, when if you think of it, it so easy to forgive everyone considering that after days of food restrictions one is FREE to eat as an how. 
Jking. But you get my point.
Jking. But you get my point.
So you see, questioning and restructuring of our rituals is coming up even in Jainism.
People are questioning many things.
Often one finds new/old western or colonial influences dredging around. For eg: when I say "wishing people Michchami Dukkadam"
People are questioning many things.
Often one finds new/old western or colonial influences dredging around. For eg: when I say "wishing people Michchami Dukkadam"
22nd tirthankar of Jainism, Neminath, also Krishna's cousin brother got enlightened today on (Mahalaya) Amavasya.
It's interesting cause in general as far as I know we don't consider Amavasya majorly auspicious. Unlike some south indian traditions that do.
It's interesting cause in general as far as I know we don't consider Amavasya majorly auspicious. Unlike some south indian traditions that do.
Jains are observing these nine days, "ambel oli" basically austere fasting. Ambels are fasts when we can eat only once a day but no oil/ghee/most spices and such. So the one meal has even more restrictions than usual. #Navratri
It is not related to any devi afaik. But some Jains do take up Devi related rituals /Sadhana but it seems to be the current Hindu culture influence.
#navratri
#navratri
Ambel oli starts on Aso sud 7. Just found out. Navratri starts on Aso sud 1. But it seems to be connected because there are 2 Olis closely with the 2 navratris in the year.
#jainism #india
#jainism #india
Ambel Oli is considered 'shashvat' practice, which means in all times (yugs) and all places (different regions apart from Earth as per Jain geography) it is observed.
Thus in some ways Ambel Oli > Paryushan.
#jains #indic
Thus in some ways Ambel Oli > Paryushan.
#jains #indic
I often dig out stavans / bhajans and read up on their meanings. Today I looked up AjitShanti which is a #Jain stavan showering praises and bowing down to two tirthankars - Ajitnath, the 2nd tirthankar and Shantinath, the 16th tirthankar of this half yuga cycle.
Here's the meaning in various languages: http://jinavachan.blogspot.com/2017/07/ajitshanti-stavan-ajit-shanti-sutra.html
This was composed by Nandisena, disciple of Neminath, the 22nd tirthankar of Jainism. It is amazing how much devotion and clarity of mind he may be having to compose something like this.
This was composed by Nandisena, disciple of Neminath, the 22nd tirthankar of Jainism. It is amazing how much devotion and clarity of mind he may be having to compose something like this.
Our minds easily tend towards negativities. And it is almost a fad now to crib and rant about stuff. But it would need to be nurtured and weaned off these tendencies. And then to allow it to flow into deep devotion. 
Wrote this piece about the lack of strong Devi icons in Jainism over #Navratri.
It looks into the story of the only female #Jain tirthankar Mallinath, yaksha devis and kul devi, Osia mata. Kind of long read. http://me.priyankawriting.com/2019/10/13/wheres-the-devi-in-jainism/
It looks into the story of the only female #Jain tirthankar Mallinath, yaksha devis and kul devi, Osia mata. Kind of long read. http://me.priyankawriting.com/2019/10/13/wheres-the-devi-in-jainism/
Adding to this thread on Jainism.
#Diwali is a mahaparv for Jains also. It is the day of Mahavir Swami, the last tirthankar of this half-yuga cycle, Nirvana day. So (as usual) it is a day of fasting and austerities. Basically, intensify sadhana.
#Diwali is a mahaparv for Jains also. It is the day of Mahavir Swami, the last tirthankar of this half-yuga cycle, Nirvana day. So (as usual) it is a day of fasting and austerities. Basically, intensify sadhana.
On these Diwali days, the monks will read/talk about the last discourses of Mahavir Swami before he left the body. The last part of this discourse seems to have gone on for 48 hours non-stop. This bit is covered in talks of a few hours on the Diwali day.
The next day is usually the New Year for Gujaratis and a lot of Jains (but not all of them, as I found from a friend). But the traditional Jain calendar aka "Vir Samvat" has its NY on this day.
Know more about these Vir and Vikram Samvat calendars here: http://me.priyankawriting.com/2017/10/28/vira-samvat-and-vikram-samvat-traditional-indian-calendars/
Know more about these Vir and Vikram Samvat calendars here: http://me.priyankawriting.com/2017/10/28/vira-samvat-and-vikram-samvat-traditional-indian-calendars/
Right after Mahavir Swami's Nirvana, his first shishya Gautam Swami gets enlightened. The story of it is very interesting... I have written it in the above blog.
So the NY day also includes many rituals for Gautam Swami for #Jains.
So the NY day also includes many rituals for Gautam Swami for #Jains.
Mahavir Swami's nirvana happens at midnight on Diwali amavasya. So a lot of Jains would be looking to do jap and jagran late in the night and wee hours of morning. #Diwali
Tomorrow, big day for Jains. Chaumasi Chaudas. The traditional monsoon ends and most food restrictions will be removed. In the past 4 or so months many of them won't have eaten outside, leafy stuff and lots of other minute restrictions.
Now only the major restrictions - onion, garlic, potato, spinach etc.. I have no idea of this list.
After the 4 months of monsoon are over, the monks are ready to start walking. Today a bunch of monks left from nearby Jain temple in Coimbatore to walk towards Bangalore. They will take a halt in temples/Jain specially prepared rooms and stuff on the way.
Next week another bunch of women monks will leave for Mysore-Hubli-Mumbai via Ooty. I was amazed to know this was a vihaar route because I have been to Coonoor and didn't see any Jain temple at least a prominent one.
But it seems there are Jain houses and temples enroute.
But it seems there are Jain houses and temples enroute.
4 months of monsoon these monks won't walk. Too much life on the roads, plus they are usually into much stricter fasting. But these are scriptural 4 months. It is the 2nd monsoon in the south, but that doesn't matter.
Though they do avoid walking in the rain. Because it is unboiled water - too much active bacterial life. Stepping on it kills it.
Magshirsh over. New month today, Posh sud 1. #jain
Next time when the convener of any Jain food event jumps at people for leaving a tiny spec of food uneaten on their plate.... remember food wastage numbers. 
Jain community definitely contributes to keeping consumer wastage low in South Asia.
Jain community definitely contributes to keeping consumer wastage low in South Asia.
I remember at one event, the convener or caretaker or whoever would stand by the place to leave eaten plates.. and would even stare if you have mirchi tops (dichka) left uneaten. Haha. Thankfully he didn't ask people to eat those also. Hahah
But it is a thing for them to send people back to finish if they have normal food uneaten on their plates.
It's good. Creates quite a bit of pressure when taking food. #jains
It's good. Creates quite a bit of pressure when taking food. #jains
In #Jainism, Bharatha is the son of Adinath, first tirthankar. He was the first Chakravarti of this half yuga cycle.
From where the country was called Bharat.
If anyone mentions "founding fathers" of India... One can allude to these icons. Or the country is timeless.
From where the country was called Bharat.
If anyone mentions "founding fathers" of India... One can allude to these icons. Or the country is timeless.
Today Chaitra Vad 10,
Simandhar Swami janma kalyanak
Simandhar Swami is not one of the 24 tirthankars of this half yuga cycle. These 24 tirthankars are from Earth. Simandhar Swami is current alive tirthankar in another world called maha videhkshetra. #jain
Simandhar Swami janma kalyanak
Simandhar Swami is not one of the 24 tirthankars of this half yuga cycle. These 24 tirthankars are from Earth. Simandhar Swami is current alive tirthankar in another world called maha videhkshetra. #jain
Maha videh kshetra is a huge land, much bigger than earth. And in that land, Simandhar Swami is closest to us Earth folks..
There are 3 other tirthankars in Mahavidehkshetra..but they are further away from us..
So Simandhar Swami is reverred more by many #Jain groups.
There are 3 other tirthankars in Mahavidehkshetra..but they are further away from us..
So Simandhar Swami is reverred more by many #Jain groups.
Today is also the moksh kalyanak (day) of Naminath tirthankar - the 21st tirthankar of this half yuga cycle. I will also have to mention "earth tirthankar" now.
#jains
#jains
Today Chaumasi Choudas. One of the three biggest days for #Jain folks. It marks the start of 4 months of Monsoon. Food restrictions and sadhana will notch up for many.
In August comes Paryushan which will be like a peak of austerities. The last day of Paryushan is Samvatsari - the biggest day for Jains.
The other two big days are this Chomasi Chaudas (today) and Maun Agyaaras (not sure when it is)
The other two big days are this Chomasi Chaudas (today) and Maun Agyaaras (not sure when it is)
Even after paryushan many restrictions remain until November when the 4 months of monsoon end. Again culminated with another Chomasi Chaudas (but that one is not so big). Chomasi literally means '4 monthly'. So there are many Chomasi Chaudas in the year. Today is the biggest.
Michchami Dukkadam everyone
Let all my misdeeds be fruitless.
Let all my misdeeds be fruitless.
Jain Paryushan most significant time of year to notch up sadhana in another 10 odd days.
Being on my own here in Coimbatore and with temples closed let's see what I can do in these days.
Being on my own here in Coimbatore and with temples closed let's see what I can do in these days.
While I don't bother much with the traditional austerities like fasting a lot. I love these Paryushan days. Somehow I find myself more internally focussed on these days :)
Let's see this year.
Let's see this year.
Paavan Paryushan starting tomorrow.
Here's my blog post of old on "Michchami Dukkadam" - one way of understanding it. #jain http://me.priyankawriting.com/2014/08/29/michami-dukkadam-whats-this-sorry-business/
Here's my blog post of old on "Michchami Dukkadam" - one way of understanding it. #jain http://me.priyankawriting.com/2014/08/29/michami-dukkadam-whats-this-sorry-business/
Today Paryushan begins for Jain Shwetambars. (For Digambars it is a week later).
Very cool that it is also independence day 
Technically, the country is not related to the religion. But in case of India, it is considered a crucible for diverse religions and faiths. This relevant?
Uncle is sharing a Paryushan discourse series on whatsapp, will share summary if feasible in these days...
#jain
#jain
Today's #paryushan discourse:
5 responsibilities for a Jain during Paryushan,
- Amari : reduce killing as strictly possible. Thus various rules reltd to lifestyle, food et al
- Saadharmik vatsalya : devotion/family feeling towards fellow Jains not pity or charity
5 responsibilities for a Jain during Paryushan,
- Amari : reduce killing as strictly possible. Thus various rules reltd to lifestyle, food et al
- Saadharmik vatsalya : devotion/family feeling towards fellow Jains not pity or charity
- kshamapna : ask forgiveness, forgive etc
- Chaitya paripati: temples and idols worship as proper
- Tapa : austerities fasting etc
- Chaitya paripati: temples and idols worship as proper
- Tapa : austerities fasting etc
