Ten rituals of the Temple

Ten rituals of the temple which Swetamber Jain follow in their daily routine promoting towards spirituality, called as “Das-trika” are as under^[1] :

1. Nissihi:

It means renunciation or giving up. It is pronounced three times while visiting to a Jain temple for darsana of a Tirthankar. Once, while entering into the temple indicates leaving worldly thoughts outside the temple, second time while entering into the room of Jin idol sanctum (Gabharo) and then, after finishing worship with various substances called “Dravya-Puja” and at the beginning of internal devotional worship “Bhava-Puja” as mentioned below in fourth ritual.

2. Pradakshina (Circumambulation):

Three rounds are taken around the main idol in the temple on the right side reflecting on Triratnas of Jainism, which are right faith, conduct and knowledge. This is done just to remember three remedies to overcome attachment and hatred, finally to attain liberation.

3. Pranam:

Salutation is done three times while visiting a temple, first when you see the top of the temple (shikhar) or the idol, then, when you enter the sanctum looking at the idol and third time, while touching the ground with five parts of the body, the posture called as khamasaman.

4. Puja (Worship):

Swetamber jains do puja in three ways, the first two called as Anga puja and Agra puja together is called Astaprakari Puja (eight-fold worship or Dravya-puja) and the third one is Bhava puja. as mentioned below:

i. Anga puja: Anoiting different parts of the idol a) with water called “Jal-puja” to wash out our karmas, b) with saffron or sandalwood paste called “kesar-puja” to achieve same tranquility in our soul as it is on idol’s face and then, c) with flower (ful-puja) to have full love and compassion.

ii. Agra puja: Placing incense (dhoop), lamp (dipak), rice (aksat), fruit (fal) and sweets (naivedhya) infront of the idol.

iii. Bhava puja includes Chaityavandan, a combination of Prayer and Meditation. When one praizes the Tirthankara from bottom of heart, one gets the right knowledge and vision, thoughts and soul get purified, gets inspired to become like him and one acquires a supreme meditative state^[2].

5. Avastha Chintan:

This is contemplation on different forms of Arihanta, mainly three forms:

a) Pindastha, which is ordinary embodied soul of Arihanta. It includes Janmavastha, Rajyavastha and Shramanavastha (state of birth, kingdom and laymanship of his life)

b) Padastha: This is Omniscient embodied soul. Here we have 34 Atisayas of Arihanta to be contemplated upon. They are super specialties expounding the immortal doctrines like Anekantvad, Syadvad and Nay.

c) Rupatita is the state of liberated soul.

6. Dishatyag:

During practice of Chaityavandan as mentioned above in 4.iii), we are not supposed to look anywhere, in any direction other than Jin’s idol.

7. Pramarjana:

Before using the floor of the temple or the place of meditation, the ground should be cleaned properly without hurting any insect or worm.

8. Alambana:

It is a support to our sadhana or practice. Visualize image of the Lord while chanting sutras or stutis with their meaning.

9. Mudra or Posture:

Adopt Yoga mudra, Mukta-Shukti mudra, Jin-Mudra or Kayotsarga.

10. Pranidhana:

Remain focused or with meditative mind in Bhav-Puja (Chaityavandan).

All these practices are performed simply to strengthen internal devotional thought process. In Digambar Jain traditions, similar practices are being followed as of Swetambars, while going to the temple including Puja, Abhisheka, and Arti.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Jain Philosophy and Practice-1, The Federation of Jain Associations in North America, 2002, pp. 32-42

[2]:

“Look n Learn”, Jain fortnightly magazine, dt.25/09/2013, Parasdham, Mumbai, p.7