MICHHAMMI DUKKDAM

Michhammi Dukkdam or Micha Mi Dukdam are the words which are used for term of Forgiveness by Jain religion followers during the biggest and event of ‘PARYUSHAN’.
The meaning of Michhammi Dukkdam is to ask for forgiveness for any sins I have done. Normally people wish Michhammi Dukkdam to the near and dear ones, after coming from Pratikaman where they ask for sorry through prayers for all the sins they have committed.

खामेमि सव्व जीवे, सव्वे जीवा खमंतु मे।

मित्ती मे सव्व-भूएसु, वेरं मज्झ न केणइ।।

Ø खामेमि सव्व जीवे (Khamemi Savve Jiva) – I forgive all the living creatures
Ø सव्वे जीवा खमंतु मे (Savve Jiva Khamantu Me) – I seek Pardon from all the life forms.
Ø मित्ती मे सव्व-भूएसु (Mitti Me Savva Bhutesu) – I am Friendly towards every one of the living beings.

Øवेरं मज्झ न केणइ (Veram Majjham Na Kenvi) – And Seek enmity with nothing.

PARYUSHAN PARVA - Paryushan is major events for Jains. Jain is world’s only religions who give the same chance of living for the all living species on the earth not only mankind. Jains celebrate the birth of the 24th TIRTHANKARA MAHAVIR during Paryushan an eight-day celebration in the month of August/September. As the name suggests, celebrated annually for self-purification and uplift is meant to adhere to the ten universal virtues in practical life; and leads us on the right path, far from the mad strife for material prosperity, which ultimately leads us to our true destination i.e., salvation. The non-Jains also express high reverence for this Jain festival. All members of Jain community- high and low, young and old, and males and females, participate with full vigor and zeal in the various religious rituals and cultural programs. Paryushan is celebrated with fasting i.e. Vrat and Tap.

These celebrations harbinger social harmony and amity and preach the lofty Jain motto ‘Live and Let live’.

PRATIKAMAN - This is one of the processes of remembering all the sins done by us throughout the year and confessing in front of Guruji and asking for forgiveness. Also during pratikaman we ask forgivessness from all our fellow mates for we have hurt them by any means...it is said "maan vachan n kaya thi" - by thoughts, speech or action, intentionally or unintionally. Ideally pratikaman has to be done everyday to wash our daily. There is a 2-3 hours ritual, where we read and go through the different types of sins a person can commit, and we ask for the forgiveness of those, and also in a way offer praises to God, so that we can cultivate the great qualities of God within us.

FASTING - In Jainisim, fasting is considered as a spiritual activity, that purifies our souls, improve morality, spiritual power, and increase knowledge and strengthen relationships. The purpose is to purify our souls by staying closer to our own souls, looking at our faults and asking for forgiveness for the mistakes and taking vows to minimize our faults. Strict fasting where one has to completely abstain from food and even water is observed for a week or more. Depending upon one's capability, complete fasting spans between 8-31 days. People also have to follow the ritual of not eating after sunset.

JAINISM is Not Only a Religion But Also A way of Living

This post on the blog is for the sole purpose of awareness of Jain festival ' Paryushan'.