Micchami Dukkadam 2024: A Jaina Day of Forgiveness

“Forgive and forget” is a common saying, but what does it actually mean to forgive? Every year on Samvatsari, a day set aside for asking for forgiveness from others, Jains celebrate forgiveness with a specific prayer called Micchami Dukkadam. On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, Jains all over the world will celebrate this important occasion.

We shall examine the history and customs of Michhami Dukkadam in the next days as Jains get ready for Samvatsari, the celebration in 2024. You’ll get an inside look at this Day of Forgiveness and what it means for Jains to resolve conflicts within their community, from the significance of the day to the rituals conducted.

Micchami Dukkadam: what is it?

Every year on the last day of the eight-day Jain holiday of Paryushana, there is a Jain celebration of forgiveness called Micchami Dukkadam. It is said that “may all the evil that has been done be fruitless” at Micchami Dukkadam. Furthermore, for easier comprehension, certain spiritual texts have also reduced it as Micchami, which means “to forgive,” and Dukaddam, which means “mistakes.”

Jains beg for forgiveness on this day from all living things, including friends, family, and neighbors, for any mistakes they may have made in the previous year, whether they were intentional or not. Its main goals include moving on in peace, healing relationships, and letting go of the past.

The Word’s Origin Micchami Dukkadam

Michhami Dukkadam is a language that comes from Prakrit, which is well-known in Jainism. The Prakrit language is used in many Jains’ spiritual writings. The Jain community celebrate Paryushan Parva as a wonderful occasion to cleanse their souls and ward off evil spirits. This eight- to ten-day holiday is made more auspicious by the addition of this word. By include this day in their celebration, Jainism is encouraging people to forget and forgive.

Samvatsari meaning clearly sounds like the word Michhami Dukkadam, and that is why this word has been selected from the ancient Indian Prakrit language. Its Sanskrit equivalent, or Michhami Dukkadam in Hindi, is “Mithya me duskrtam”, meaning “ All evil becomes ineffective”. It is believed to have originated in the 6th century BC when the Jain teacher Mahavira taught his followers to avoid violence and to focus on spiritual purity.

Micchami Dukkadam Significance

Micchami Dukkadam is a day of atonement (asking for an apology), forgiveness (giving an apology), and spiritual renewal for Jains around the world. Let us see in what ways it is significant to the people:

• By seeking forgiveness and forgiving others, Jains aim to purify their souls and achieve inner peace and harmony with all beings.

• This is the best time for the Jain people to look back on their past mistakes and take an oath never to repeat them. This way, saying Michami Dukkadam meaning makes all sense during Samvatsari.

• This day re-affirms the Jain principles of non-violence, non-attachment and non-possessiveness for the monks.

• On this day, Jains also fast, meditate and pray to make this day even more meaningful. They also explain the meaning of Michhami Dukkadam in Hindi and English to their non-Jain friends when they have to ask them for forgiveness.

• Moreover, Jains ask for forgiveness from all living beings, including humans, animals, insects, and even microscopic beings.

• Jains believe that every living being has a soul, so we must ask for forgiveness from any beings we may have harmed in any way. This could be through actions, words, or even thoughts.

• The festival, thus, becomes a great day to promote goodwill, security, harmony, and letting go of negative feelings.
Micchami Dukkadam Rituals – Samvatsari

There are some steps that need to be carefully followed during Samvatsari – Micchami Dukkadam Rituals. Read them below.

1. Samyika: Avoid parties and celebrations and maintain silence as much as possible. Maintain a calm environment.

2. Chatur Vimsati and Vandana: Visit a Jain temple. Pay respect and pray to the Tirthankaras (the Jain Gurus).

3. Samvatsari Pratikraman: Perform this step, which involves reciting specific prayers and verses asking forgiveness and blessings of five supreme beings in Jainism – Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay and Sadhu. These verses also include the mention of Michhami Dukkadam.

4. Kayotsarga: Meditate over a specific prayer of any Tirthankara.

5. Pratyakhyana: Make a promise to control your emotions, especially anger.

6. End the ritual with a meet and greet, saying “Michhami Dukkadam”. Also, explain Michhami Dukkadam meaning in English and Hindi, if possible.

Role of Sutras in Micchami Dukkadam Festival

There are several sutras or verses recited in the name of five supreme individuals in Jainism during a ritual called Samvatsari Pratikaman in the Michhami Dukkadam festival. The Michami Dukkadam meaning makes more sense when people remember the teachings of their Tirthankaras through Sutras.

One of the most famous Sutras that unites the speech, body and mind is as follows:

Khaamemi Savve Jeeva
Savve Jeeva Khamantu Me
Metti Me Savve Bhuyesu Vairam Majham Na Kenai

Michhami Dukkadam

Meaning:

I grant forgiveness to all living beings
May all living beings grant me forgiveness
My friendship is with all living beings
My enemy is totally non-existent
My bad deeds be fruitless

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Michhami Dukkadam meaning in English?

The Michhami Dukkadam meaning indicates – “May all the evil that has been done be fruitless”. To simplify, dividing the words would give us Michhami as “to forgive” and Dukkadam as “mistakes”.

2. What happens in Michhami Dukkadam festival?

Michhami Dukkadam is a day of forgiveness in Jainism. On this day, Jain people ask for forgiveness from all living beings for any harm caused, whether done knowingly or unknowingly. The day of Micchami Dukkadam means to forgive and forget.

3. When is Micchami Dukkadam observed?

Micchami Dukkadam is observed on the last day of Paryushan Parva, an 8 or 10-day Jain festival. In 2024, Micchami Dukkadam will be on September 3rd.

4. How is Michhami Dukkadam celebrated?

On Michhami Dukkadam, Jains fast, meditate, and practice self- reflection. Jains ask for forgiveness from friends, family, and community members in person or through social media and phone calls. It is a day focused on resolving disputes, forgiveness, and inner peace.

5. Why is Michhami Dukkadam important?

Michhami Dukaddam is important because it encourages Jain people to look over their sins and mistakes in the previous year and sort out differences with people they have hurt. This festival teaches that asking for forgiveness and forgiving others leads to inner peace and harmony with all.

6. Is Samvatsari and Michhami Dukaddam same?

Yes, it is the same. People call the last day of the Paryushan Parva festival as Samvatsari or Michhami Dukkadam day. After all the rituals of Samvatsari are done, people ask for forgiveness from their friends, family and community by saying – “Michhami Dukkadam”.