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Micchami Dukkadam

A calendar

One day a year spent asking forgiveness of everyone — including those who never knew they were wronged.

When
Samvatsari, the last day of Paryushan — usually August or September, set by the Jain calendar.
Before

Paryushan, the annual Jain fasting festival, runs for the days leading up to it.

The review

The year's pratikramana: the whole year turned back over, and everything the smaller reviews let through.

The asking

Micchami dukkadam — may all the wrong that has been done be in vain. Said to all living beings.

After

The year closes. Whoever keeps nothing else keeps this one.

Why

Most apologies are for things the other person noticed. This one is built for everything else — the harm done without knowing, which is most of it. And the annual form is the stated minimum: a Jain who keeps pratikramana only once a year keeps this one.

If you’re there

If a Jain friend says it to you, the phrase back is the same one. Say it without listing what you think you did; the list is for you, not them.

The phrase doesn't name the wrong. It doesn't need to.
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