- Micchami Dukkadam
-
Jainism 
This article is part of a series on JainismPrayers and Vows Ṇamōkāra mantra · Ahimsa · Brahmacharya · Satya · Nirvana · Asteya · Aparigraha · Anekantavada · Parasparopagraho Jīvānām Key concepts Kevalajñāna · Cosmology · Samsara · Karma · Dharma · Moksha · Gunasthana · Navatattva Major figures The 24 Tirthankaras · Rishabha · Mahavira · Acharya · Ganadhara · Siddhasena Divakara · Haribhadra Jainism by region India · Europe · United States · Canada Sects Śvētāmbara · Digambara · Svetambar Terapanth · Sthānakavāsī · Bhattaraka · Murtipujaka Texts Kalpa Sūtra · Āgama · Tattvartha Sutra · Sanmatti Prakaran Other Festivals Paryushana · Diwali
Jainism Portal
Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ is an ancient Prakrit phrase literally meaning — may all the evil that has been done be fruitless.[1] It is especially used on the Kshamavani Diwas or Forgiveness Day, celebrated on Samvatsari, the concluding day of the eight-day Paryushana festival, one of the main festivals of the Jain community, on Chaturthi 4th day during the Shukla Paksha (waxing lunar phase) of the Bhadrapada month. On this day, the Sravakas (disciples) and lay people request each other for forgiveness for all offenses committed during the last year.[2][3] The phrase is also used when a person commits a mistake, or recollects committing it in every day life or said when asking for forgiveness in advance for inadvertent ones. [4]
Contents
Etymology
Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ, the phrase also found in phrase is found in the Airyapathiki Sutra [3], literally means — may all the evil that has been done be fruitless, and comes from Prakrit language, a vernacular Indo-Aryan language, closely linked with Pali and used abundantly in Prakrit canon of the Jainism.[1] The Sanskrit version of the phrase is mithya me dushkritaam meaning "may the evil of it be in vain". [3] or simply put "May my misdeeds be undone."
Overview
After the pratikramana (Jain prayer, literally "introspection"), Jains seek forgiveness from all the creatures of the world whom they may have harmed knowingly or unknowingly by uttering the phrase—michchhāmi dukkaḍaṃ. As a matter of ritual, during Samvatsari—the last day of Jain festival paryusana—Jains utter the phrase— Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ after pratikraman.[5][6] Paryusana falls during chaturmas, four month in the rainy season, reserved on yearly pratikarmana, introspection, penance and fasting, when even the wandering monks temporarily abandon their wandering life and settle down amidst the householders, giving discourses and scriptural recitations are organized.[3]
As a matter of ritual, they personally greet their friends and relatives Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ seeking their forgiveness. Forgiveness is asked by telling "Michchhami Dukkadam" to each other. It means "If I have caused you offence in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought, word or deed, then I seek your forgiveness".[5] No private quarrel or dispute may be carried beyond Samvatsari, and traditionally, letters have been sent and telephone calls made to friends and relatives asking their forgiveness.[7]
References
- ^ a b Chapple. C.K. (2006) Jainism and Ecology: Nonviolence in the Web of Life Delhi:Motilal Banarasidas Publ. ISBN 9788120820456 p.46
- ^ "Jains pray for peace, brotherhood". The Hindu. 2007-09-13. http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/13/stories/2007091353590500.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-11.
- ^ a b c d R. Williams (1991). Jaina yoga: a survey of the mediaeval śrāvakācāras. Motilal Banarsidass Publ.. p. 205. ISBN 8120807758. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=LLKcrIJ6oscC&pg=PA204&dq=Michchhami+Dukkadam&hl=en&ei=ZoRfTrdWzdCtB4yixLUP&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Michchhami%20Dukkadam&f=false.
- ^ M.R.P. Vijaya; K.C. Jani (1951). Śramana Bhagavān Mahāvira: pt. 1. Sthavirāvali. Śri Jaina Siddhanta Society. p. 120.
- ^ a b Preeti Srivastav (2008-08-31). "Request for Forgiveness". Indian Express. http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Request-for-Forgiveness/355457/. Retrieved 2009-11-11.
- ^ Natubhai Shah (1998). Jainism: the world of conquerors, (Vol. 1). Sussex Academic Press. p. 212. ISBN 1898723303. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=EmVzvUzbwegC&pg=PA212&dq=Michchhami+Dukkadam&hl=en&ei=ZoRfTrdWzdCtB4yixLUP&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Michchhami%20Dukkadam&f=false.
- ^ Hastings, James (2003), Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics Part 10, Kessinger Publishing ISBN 9780766136823 p.876
See also
External links
Categories:- Jain phrases
- Jain philosophical concepts
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
