Dharma Ke Das Lakshan

By Dr. Hukum Chand Bharill

Das Lakshan Parva is the festival celebrated by the Digambara Jains. In the Digambar tradition, the ten cardinal virtues, Dashlakshan Dharma, are celebrated for 10 days, starting on Samvatsari, the last day of Paryushan Parva in Swetamber Tradition Bhadrapad sud 5-14th to remind jains of the characteristics of the soul. The ten dharmas or the virtues of the soul are forgiveness, humility, straight forwardness, contentment, truth, sensual restraint, austerities, charity, non-possessiveness, and celibacy. They are various forms of the right conduct. Before we discuss the ten Dharmas, it is important to understand two common viewpoints found in our scriptures. The Vyavahar view, in crude terms, helps you to live more easily and peacefully with the outside world. It also builds up your reserve of good deeds (punya karmas). The Nischay view helps to enhance and blossom the soul