Paryushan-festival of forgiveness :

The days that just went by rekindled in me the desire to truly respect the religion i was born with and people who are interested in knowing what jainism has to offer can read this post .
1.It acknowledges the self as atman .It is based on self-realistion ( atmadarshan)
2. It professes Vitraag-detachment as the key to moksha.It amounts to complete renunciation of all possesions and aversions.
3. The basic principles on which it stands are - ahimsa( non-violence),aparigrah(non-possesion),anekant(nonabsolutism).These are the primordial principles.
4. The path to moksha are the 3 jewels( ratna-traya) - right conduct,faith and knowledge.
5. Jinas have elucidated Daslakshan dharma ( 10 nobel virtues ) of the soul-forgiveness,humility,sincerity,purity,truthfulness,self-restraint,charity,celibacy,penance and non-possesion.
6.Paryushan-the festival of forgiveness ,reflection,meditation,adoration and self-purgation is celebrated from the 5th day of the bright fortnight of bhadrapad till anant chaturdashi for 10 days with fervour and devotion.Devotees absorb themselves in praying,studying scriptures,eulogising,attending sermons of sadhus( vyaakhyaana),fasting for days together(apavaas) and exercising severe austerity for spiritual enlightment.

"SANDALWOOD PERFUMES EVEN THE AXE WHICH HEWS IT DOWN, ITS PERFUME WAFTS ALL AROUND WHEN IT IS ITSELF BURNING-THAT IS FORGIVENESS "

Educational dream

I had this dream the other day : I am taking a class in what hardly seems to be a school .Under the plastic canopied shed , rain water gettin in through all pores and kids -tattered,bruised,dirty ,grimy , Oh god the shed is brimming with kids !!

Unsure of how to start - overwhelmed with emotions - i get this rare oppurtunity to feel the kids one by one - I play with their dishevelled hair .The " navo chokro " is soon taken over by this " good uncle " - all beaming and confident .I take the class with panache and end it with a resounding goodbye they had to offer .

They had a promise to make :

" WE WOULD WAIT FOR YOU THE NEXT WEEK " :)