Paryushana, often called the “Festival of Forgiveness,” takes center stage in the Kalpa Sutra as a living embodiment of Jain ideals. Every late summer, communities come together to recite passages from this text, celebrating Mahavira’s life while reinforcing a shared commitment to nonviolence and self-discipline. The Sutra itself lays out detailed guidelines for a monastic code—fasts, meditations, and ethical vows—that become the backbone of Paryushana’s rituals.

Over eight or ten days (depending on the sect), monks and laypeople alike immerse themselves in the Sutra’s biographies of the Tirthankaras, using those stories as a mirror for personal growth. The heartbeat of the festival is the daily public reading of the Kalpa Sutra, which transforms dusty manuscripts into a vibrant, communal experience. It’s not just a dress rehearsal for spiritual practice; it’s food for thought that encourages each participant to pause, ask for forgiveness, and forgive others.

Modern Jain communities have even taken these traditions online, especially after the recent push for virtual gatherings during the pandemic. Now, thousands tune in from across the globe to listen, learn, and engage in live Q&A sessions—a testament to the Sutra’s enduring relevance. During Paryushana, adherents typically fast or follow a restricted diet, and strict adherence to ahimsa (nonviolence) intensifies: every step becomes a meditation, every breath an exercise in compassion.

The significance of Paryushana in the Kalpa Sutra boils down to one thing: transformation. By retracing the footsteps of Mahavira and his fellow spiritual pioneers, practitioners get a chance to recalibrate their intentions, shed past mistakes, and lean into a year of gentler living. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that the path to inner peace often winds through community bonds, shared stories, and the courage to begin anew.