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Samani[36] Prasanna Pragya[32][38] | Samani[36] Rohit[35] Pragya[32] |
Jain Vishva Bharati[14] London[18][15] celebrated a great Jain festival “Paryushan” from 17 August to 24 August 2009 in the auspicious presence of Samani[36] Prasanna Pragya[32][38] and Samani[36] Rohit[35] Pragya[32]. The morning programme was conducted from 9.30am to 11.30am. Every morning the session was started with the Mantra[22] Meditation[23] followed by the discussion on ‘Twelve vows of householder’ by Samani[36] Rohit[35] Pragya[32]. The second part of morning programme was started with Maitri[21] song ‘Atma kee Pothee….’ followed by discourse on ‘Twelve Bhavana[8] (Reflections)’ by Samani[36] Pasanna Pragya[32].
The evening programme was held from 8:00pm to 9:45pm. The devotees had a choice of participating in Hindi, Gujarati or English Pratikramana[34]. This was followed by lectures in English by Samanijis. The topics ranged from Power of Penance, Science[42] in Jainism[16][43], Karma[17] in Jainism[16] etc. The audience listened to these lectures with great interest as they carried subtle messages of Jain philosophy[13]. On 18 August, special Bhakti[7] programme was organized which was led by Jatin Shah and presented by Youth group - Saggar, Pallavi, Kavit, Bhavik and Vikas. With all musical instruments like tabla, manjeera, khanjaree, participants sang various devotional songs in their melodious voice. Songs sung in different languages attracted audience. Attendees appreciated all participants for their outstanding presentation by saying OM[27] ARHAM[4].
Performance of all participants created an amazing spiritual atmosphere. On 22 August, one more Bhakti[7] programmme was arranged, which was started with Mahaveer[19] stuti[44] by Samanijis. That day was open for all to present spiritual songs so many people showed their devotion and presented songs in various languages. Samanijis sang some songs to appreciate Tapasvees who did fasting[10] during Paryushan[28].
On Sunday, 23 August, in morning session Samani[36] Rohit[35] Pragya[32] conducted a workshop ‘Importance of Paushadh Vrat[47]’ and inspired people to observe Paushadh on Samvatsari[41] Day. Samani[36] Prasanna Pragya[32][38] discussed on ‘Power of Forgiveness’ and ‘Importance of Tapasya[45]’. She praised eight, nine, ten and eleven days fasting[10] of Shruti Sethia, Rashmibhai Shah, Bakulbhai Shah and Keval Shah. On behalf of JVB[11], to motivate all tapasvees, Pooja[31], Neha, Maleeni and Amlee presented books to all tapasvees.
The programme on the last day (Samvastsari) started at 9:30am and continued till 1.00pm in the afternoon. Along with regular sessions of Mantara meditation[23] and discourse of Vows, Samani[36] Rohit[35] Pragya[32] told a life story of Acharya[2] Sthool ibhadra. Samani[36] Prasanna Pragya[32][38] explained the history of Samvatsari[41] and Imortance of Freindliness. Programme was closed with a short practice of contemplation[9] of friendliness followed by big Mangalpath. On this auspicious day the devotees practiced different forms of penance and many members of the congregation also fasted. In the evening, about 200 people participated in the pratikraman[33] service, which was followed by a programme of micchami dukkadam[24] (seeking forgiveness). Samanijis inspired everyone to put an end to their enmity and family divisions. The audience expressed their sincere gratitude to His Holiness Acharya[2] Mahapragyaji[3] and the Samanijis for bestowing selfless spiritual guidance. A Jain story book was presented to all children who observed full fast. Books were also presented to those who did three and more than three days fasting[10].
During this holy period, the devotees fully appreciated the benefits of practicing samayik[40], recitation of sacred mantras and spiritual songs and reading and listening scriptures. During the paryushan[28] mahaparva[29], a competition on different aspects of penance and restraint was held for children, youths and adults. They observed it very sincerely for the whole of eight days. Every one found the whole period of the Paryushan[28] Mahaparva[29] not only a time for retrospection but also as an impetus for spiritual upliftment.
Special Paryushana[30] Programme for children at JVB[11] Centre:
From 18 to 20 Aug. 09, special sessions were held for children, jointly by YJ & JVB[11] at Sayer Centre in morning from 10:30 to 11:30am. Separate sessions were conducted by samanijis and youth teachers for the different age groups of children. They were taught yoga[46], meditation[23], Importance of Paryushana[30] and Pratikramana[34], life story of Bhagavan Mahavir[20][6] and many other activities. Around 25-30 children participated in this programme. All children enjoyed a lot and learnt many new things.
By the grace of Acharya[2] Mahapragyaji[3] and at the request of shravak-samaja of UK three groups of Samanijis celebrated paryushana[30] mahaparva at various Jain organisations.
- Samani[36] Him Pragya[32] and Samani[36] Ramaniya Pragya[32] - Ilford
- Samani[36] Aagam[1] Pragya[32][37] and Samani[36] Ratna Pragya[32][39] - Birminghum
- During this great festival, Mumukshu[25] Nikita[26] and Mumukshu[25] Lalita provided spiritual benefit to ManchesterJain Samaj