Temples
Jain temple at Ranakpur
Temple worship is more important to lay Jains than to monks and nuns. Although monks and nuns may be involved in temple life, some Jain communities, such as Sthanakavasis or Terapanthis, are opposed to temple worship.
Temples of the two major sects differ from one another. Svetambara Jain temples have priests, but they are limited to helping with rituals and don't have a special status like priests of other religions do. Temples of both sects have images of Tirthankaras either in a meditation pose or standing. In the Digambara's temple, Tirthankara statues are undecorated and unpainted while in the Svetambara temples, the Tirthankara images are always decorated. Jain people make offerings to the images as a part of their worship.
Temples of the two major sects differ from one another. Svetambara Jain temples have priests, but they are limited to helping with rituals and don't have a special status like priests of other religions do. Temples of both sects have images of Tirthankaras either in a meditation pose or standing. In the Digambara's temple, Tirthankara statues are undecorated and unpainted while in the Svetambara temples, the Tirthankara images are always decorated. Jain people make offerings to the images as a part of their worship.
Funerary Practices
The process of a funeral in Jainism is simple and short. First, they dress the body, avoiding natural flowers. Then, they place a swastika with coconut near the casket. They recite the Stavans and the Bhajans for about one hour. After that are the eulogies from family and friends. Everyone gets a final view of the deceased right before the family gathers by the casket. They put water and rice three times on the body, sandalwood powder on the body, and ghee on the forehead, hands, and feet. At the end of the ceremony, the guests chant the Navkar mantra and place a pearl in the deceased's right eye and a piece of gold in the mouth. Finally, the casket is closed , which ends the ceremony.
Rituals and Festivals
It is very common for Jains to fast at any time, but they mostly do it on holy days. There are four types of fasting: complete (giving up food AND water), partial (only eating less than you need to survive), vrutisankshepa (a limited number of items of food), and rasa parityaga (giving up favorite foods).
HOLY DAYS
* Mahavira Jayanti:
- celebration of Mahavira's birth
- gather in temples to listen to his teachings
- parade images of Mahavira through the streets
* Paryushana:
- means "to stay in one place"
- signifies a time of reflection & repentance
- 8 days of fasting
* Diwali:
- festival throughout all India
- on that day (Nov. 13th) 527 B.C.E. , Mahavira gave his
last teachings and attained ultimate liberation
- parents give sweets to children
- lamps are lit all over India
* Kartak Purnima:
- time of pilgrimage to sacred sites
* Mauna Agyaras:
- a day-long observance of fasting and silence
- meditation
OTHER PRACTICES
* Santhara:
- fasting to death
- intention of preparing for death when the time is right
* Pilgrimage:
- to one of most holy sites, in Shratunjaya
* Daily Spiritual Practices:
- prayer
- honoring Tirthankaras
- paying respect to monks
- repenting from sins
- self-control through meditation (48 mins)
- going without something pleasurable
* Eight Fold Puja:
- eight symbolic offerings
1) water (purity)
2) sandalwood paste (cooling the passions)
3) flowers (faith, forgiveness)
4) incense (removal of desire)
5) light with a flashlight (enlightenment)
6) Rice
7) Sweets
8) Fruit
Rice, sweets & fruit shaped into swastika and each corner
represents the states a soul can be born as:
- human form
- plant/animal form
- heavenly being
- hell being
HOLY DAYS
* Mahavira Jayanti:
- celebration of Mahavira's birth
- gather in temples to listen to his teachings
- parade images of Mahavira through the streets
* Paryushana:
- means "to stay in one place"
- signifies a time of reflection & repentance
- 8 days of fasting
* Diwali:
- festival throughout all India
- on that day (Nov. 13th) 527 B.C.E. , Mahavira gave his
last teachings and attained ultimate liberation
- parents give sweets to children
- lamps are lit all over India
* Kartak Purnima:
- time of pilgrimage to sacred sites
* Mauna Agyaras:
- a day-long observance of fasting and silence
- meditation
OTHER PRACTICES
* Santhara:
- fasting to death
- intention of preparing for death when the time is right
* Pilgrimage:
- to one of most holy sites, in Shratunjaya
* Daily Spiritual Practices:
- prayer
- honoring Tirthankaras
- paying respect to monks
- repenting from sins
- self-control through meditation (48 mins)
- going without something pleasurable
* Eight Fold Puja:
- eight symbolic offerings
1) water (purity)
2) sandalwood paste (cooling the passions)
3) flowers (faith, forgiveness)
4) incense (removal of desire)
5) light with a flashlight (enlightenment)
6) Rice
7) Sweets
8) Fruit
Rice, sweets & fruit shaped into swastika and each corner
represents the states a soul can be born as:
- human form
- plant/animal form
- heavenly being
- hell being