29.10.2016 ►JCSC ►Diwali, New Year, Gyan Panchami,Kartiki Punam & Pat Darshan Program

     Diwali, New Year, Gyan Panchmi, Pat Darshan Program at Jain Center

Please look below for the upcoming programs and Diwali celebrations at Jain Center Of Southern California.

Diwali is celebrated on the new-moon day of Kartik. On the night of that day, Mahavirswami attained Nirvan or deliverance and attained a state of absolute bliss. The Lord discarded the body and the bondage of all Karmas on that night, at Pavapuri and attained Mukti or deliverance. Chaturdasi (the fourteenth day of the bleak fortnight of Kartik), the full‑moon day and the new year (the first day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in Kartik ‑ These three days are celebrated with Paushadh, fasting, special repetition of holy hymns, and meditation. People should fast on the Chaturdasi (14th day) and the new‑moon day and listen to the Uttaradhyayan Sutra which contains the final message of Lord Mahavir.  The entire night of Diwali should be spent in the recitation of holy hymns and in meditation on Shraman  Bhagwan Mahavir. In the early morning of the first day of the new year, Ganadhar Gautam Swami, the first disciple of Lord Mahavir attained absolute enlightenment. The Jains begin the new year with a glorification of Lord Gautam Swami; and listen with devotion to the nine Stotras holy hymns and with listening to the auspicious Rasa (epical poem) of Gautam  Swami from their Guru Maharaj.

Lord Mahavir's chief disciple, Indrabhuti Gautam, had not been able to overcome his attachment to his master and that had prevented his achieving enlightenment. The barrier was only broken after a period of grief over his master’s Nirvän. He at last managed to achieve the highest degree of non­-attachment which enabled him to attain the stage of omniscience, the full enlightenment, in the early morning of the first day of the new year. The Jains begin the new year with a glorification of Lord Gautam Swämi; and listen with devotion to the nine Stotras(Navsmaran) and  the auspicious Räs (epochal poem) of Gautam Swami. Some fast for three days including the New Year day. The real wish should be that the whole coming year may be filled with realistic Dharma, intellectual serenity and equanimity.

Diwali is one single festival which is celebrated on exactly same day by different religions and faiths. 
Jains celebrate Diwali to celebrate The Nirvan of Bhagwan Mahavir. 
 
We will celebrate Diwali at Jain Center as per the program below: 

Please note: Aadesh for Gheebolis of New Year (Oct 31st) will be given on Sun, Oct 30th during Bhavna Bhakti.

Gyan Panchmi is celebrated 5 days after Diwali and is also known as Laabh Pancham.
It is the day of appreciating acquired/collected knowledge in every form and holy books. 
A lot of people also observe fast by keeping silence (Maun).  
This is an auspicious day for those who want to start Pancham with Fasting. This year Gyan Panchmi is on Saturday, Nov 5th, 2016. We will have Gyan Pujan and Gautamswami Sthapana at Derasar at 9:30 AM for anyone who wishes to perform Puja. Dev Vandan will follow after Puja. 
 
Kartiki Punam & Pat Darshan (Actual - Mon, Nov 14th, 2016, Observed - Sun, Nov 20th, 2016) 
 
Kartiki Punam night is considered as the brightest full moon night in the whole year as the rainy season is supposed to end and night sky is all clear. This is the day to resolve to free oneself of basic instincts.  
 
In the rainy/monsoon season, all Acharya Bhagwants, Sadhus, Sadhvis, Munis etc stay at one place and do not travel for four months.This starts from Aso Sud Chaturdashi and ends on Kartik Sud Punam. After Kartik Punam, their Vihar starts again to spread the knowledge of Principles of Jainism such as Truth, Ahimsa, and Compassion etc. 
A pilgrimage to Shatrunjay‑Palitana on this day is considered to be of great importance. Thousands of Jains go on pilgrimages on this day. This day also is celebrated as the birthday of Kalikalasarvajna, Acharya  Bhagavant Srivijay Hemachandrasooriji who was born on this day. (in Vikram Samvat 1134 or 1078 A.D.) Thus Kartiki Punam has a big significance for all Jains.

 Kartiki Punam Celebrations are as below: 

Day/Date                                               Time                        Program

Monday,14th Nov, 2016                    09:30 AM                 Pat Darshan in Aaradhana Hall
(Kartiki Punam actual day) 

Sunday, 20th Nov, 2016                     09:30 AM                 Pat Darshan with Khamasna and                (Kartiki Punam Observed)                                                                 Chaityavandan 
                                                          11:00 AM                 General Body Meeting - in Cultural hall, 
                                                                                           followed by Swamivatsalya Lunch