Dashlaksan (Daśa-lakṣaṇa) Parva is a ten-day Jain festival, observed especially by Digambara Jains and also in a form by Śvetāmbara Jains as a follow-up to Paryushan. It centers on practicing ten cardinal virtues and on spiritual practices like fasting, study, and prayer. The period usually starts the day after Paryushan and lasts ten days, ending on Ananta Caturdashi (the Anant Chaturdashi day). In Digambar traditions the ten days are tied to reading the ten chapters of Tattvartha Sutra and giving special discourses; in general, lay devotees also adopt varying levels of fasting and additional ascetic practices during the period. End with Kshamāpanā (confession/forgiveness) and Pratikraman. ( jainheritagecentres.com, jainpedia.org, encyclopediaofjainism.com, jainknowledge.com)

What to do during Dashlaksan Parva (ten days of virtue)

• Focus on one virtue each day (the ten virtues are):

1) Kshamā (forgiveness) 2) Mārdava (humility/gentleness) 3) Arjava (straightforwardness) 4) Śauca (purity/contentment) 5) Satya (truth) 6) Saṃyama (self-restraint) 7) Tapa (austerity) 8) Tyāga (renunciation) 9) Akinchanya (non-attachment/non-possessiveness) 10) Brahmacārya (celibacy/chastity) - Each day you reflect on and try to practice the day’s virtue more earnestly. This often includes sincere self-examination, prayer, and mindful conduct. ( jainpedia.org, encyclopediaofjainism.com)

• Observances you may adopt (varies by tradition and personal capacity):

- Fasting or partial fasting (eat less or avoid certain foods) - Daily pravachan (discourse), reading or listening to the relevant chapter(s) of texts like the Tattvartha Sutra - Samayik (period of mindful sitting and self-control) - Pratikraman (ritual repentance) and prayers for forgiveness - Kshamāpanā (public or personal forgiveness) on the last days, to resolve conflicts and seek reconciliation - Charitable giving and seva as a practical expression of renunciation and right conduct - Observing non-violence (ahiṃsā) in thoughts, words, and deeds, and avoiding harm to living beings as far as possible - In some communities, this period includes processions, temple events, and lectures by Jain scholars These practices are commonly described as the “ten Dharma” (Dash Lakshan) path toward purifying karma and refining conduct. ( jainknowledge.com, jainheritagecentres.com, encyclopediaofjainism.com)

• End of the Parva:

- The festival often culminates with Ananta Caturdashi (the 14th day of the lunar fortnight), a special day of devotion, fasting, and the concluding Pratikraman and forgiveness ritual. ( jainpedia.org)

Notes on tradition differences

• Digambaras emphasize the ten-fold reading of the Tattvartha Sutra across the parva, with group pravachans and intensive vows; the period is highly ascetic for many, sometimes including extended fasts. ( jainpedia.org)
• Śvetāmbaras observe a version of this period after Paryuṣaṇ, with fasting, study, and daily observances—often linked to the broader Paryushan framework and its own schedule. The core aim remains the cultivation of the ten virtues and confession/forgiveness at the end. ( jaina.org, jainheritagecentres.com)

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