The festival of Forgiveness

The English Pratikraman, the daily practice of reflection and introspection, was conducted for all 8 days. It is a humble attempt to make the ritual of Pratikraman more meaningful by explaining each of the 6 essential practices (avashyaks), and helping people understand the deep essence so that a transformational change to cleanse our inner self of negativities can occur.

We also had daily Swadhyaya (learning) classes during which time chapter 29 of the last sermon of Bhagwan Mahavir, Uttaradhyayan Sutra, was discussed. Samyak Darshan (right view) and its different characteristics were initially discussed, then transitioning to the importance of selfless service, devotion to teachers, and the path to humility . The text explores the essential practices (avashyaks) for spiritual growth: devotion, art of learning (comprising reading, asking questions, revision, contemplation, and sharing), restraint, penance, and renunciation. This deep and thorough exploration of the chapter was essential at this time of introspection and gave practical meaning to the whole concept of self-purification.

More than 20 children of SCVP who had undertaken some type of fast during this time were honoured at the school assembly on the first day of the academic year. What an inspiration they are!