Updates from Paryushan
Jai Jinendra Seattle Sangh,
As one religious scholar very cleverly said, life is like a freeway and paryushan is like a gas station. Just as a gas station provides fuel to drive a car to it’s destination, parvadhiraj paryushan helps all of us to refuel our enthusiasm and drive us towards our destination of attaining moksha.
Through the compassion of Rashtrasant Pujya Shri Namra Muni Maharajsahib, we were blessed to have the presence of Shri Paritoshbhai and Viral didi in our midst. To say the least, they helped create an atmosphere which was pure and induce bhaavpurna aaradhna during entire Paryushan. We all were touched in one way or the other by their views about the Jain way of life - how can one practically change their daily routine in order to move from ashubh to shubh to shuddha.
A summary post about our Paryushan celebration this year cannot be complete without recapping some excerpts from our scholars.
From Viral Didi:
Excellent explanation of swapnas and with our own kids narrating the meaning of those swapnas doubled our enthusiasm
Narration and performance by kids on Mahavir bhagwan’s 27 bhav was deeply inspiring
Powerpoint presentation of Uvvasagaharam to explain the history of this sutra helps one realize the importance of humility and right belief in tirthankar bhagwant.
From Paritoshbhai:
The “why” series and his practical explanations helped us internalize everything and instill the confidence that the answer is right within us if we dwelve deeper.
His example about jeev hinsa in food preparation inspired a 11 year old to do tap aaraadhana
Unique techniques to avoid unintentional karam bandhan like anumodna of non-Jain activities (example: not providing restaurant recommendation to anyone), being thoughtful while walking and many others.
Significance of Dhyaan and the outdoor Dhyaan shibir were simply unforgettable for everyone. It has inspired us to regularize dhyaan activities every other week. Information is available on JCOWS website.
Significance of asking for forgiveness (Kshamapna) with bhaav and showed it to all with demonstration. The way the kids did it for their parents in the end was something everyone can learn from.
And last but not the least, the siddhashila bhaavyatra in Pujya Gurudev Shri Namramuni Maharajsahib’s own mesmerizing voice had a number of us with tears in our eyes. Stay tuned for some exciting announcement about a chance to directly interact with Pujya Gurudev.
Many of you have asked us about instructions regarding maintaining uvvasagaharam yantra at home. Detailed instructions are available on JCOWS website here
Shree Uvasaggahar Stotra Yantra guidance : Download
Swadosh Darshan (Daily Self Reflection worksheet): Download
Parvadhiraj Paryushan always encourages many of us to perform tapascharya that tests all our indriya and mind. And we had a large number of tapasvis this year who performed various kinds of tapascharyas including more than 10 tapasvis with atthai (Eight upvaas). We commend all the tapsavis for performing the tapascharya in spite of all the challenges of daily lives such as office, young kids, health, etc. You are all an inspiration for entire jain sangh. Khoob khoob anumodna.
And ultimately, we at JCOWS are blessed to have such generous and supportive shravaks and shravikas in our sangh that gave us the motivation to plan and execute paryushan celebration. Without the physical, financial and emotional support from you all such Jin Shaashan Prabhavna would not have been possible. We thank each and every one of you that participated in the mahaprava celebration.
We would also like to use this opportunity to draw your attention on the below announcements:
Diwali Celebrations: JCOWS would like to thank Nihal Jain for providing us an opportunity to welcome Jain samni Dr. Suyashnidhiji and Shri Sudhanniji for Diwali Celebration in October 2017. We will have daily lectures, shibir, kids events and grand Diwali celebration. Stay tuned for further details.
Dhyaan and Navkaar Jaap Sessions: Being planned to be conducted every alternate weekends. Please participate and encourage this newly regularized activity.
Adults Swadhyay: Takes place monthly in Bellevue along with Magic Touch and Arhat Touch Pathshala classes so that parents who drop kids in pathshala can participate along with others.
Tithi Calendar: Tithi calendar is now available on JCOWS website here. Please sync your personal calendars with this and try to strictly follow basic Jain principles that some of us may not be able to follow on an everyday basis such as avoiding kandmool (roots) and frozen food in your diet on tithis. Additionally, on tithis everyone should also avoid green vegetables in our meals, avoid eating in restaurants specially the ones serving non-veg.
JCOWS Financials: Including accounts from Paryushan (donations and expenses) shall be published shortly on JCOWS website.
Last but not the least, we ask for your forgiveness if we have hurt yours or any one’s feelings knowingly or unknowingly. Michchhami Dukkadam.
Yours Gratefully,
Jain Center of Washington State
Contact Us
Signup to receive email updates on latest news and events here: https://www.jcows.org/subscribe
Like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/jaincenterofwashingtonstate
Whatsapp "Jai Jinendra" along with your name and email to (425)305-9936 to get WhatsApp updates
