Jains Today in World

SR No.: 001794
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Pirre Paul AMIEL
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 360
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, History, Religion, E000, & E005
File Size: 24 MB

Page 200

Their Rites, Cults and Religious Festivals : 159 2) the rite called “varna-lābha” during which the young husband, after a “püjā" receives a part of the goods of his father in front of a witness,
3) the rite called “kula-caryā” when the new householder promises to have an exemplary life and to scrupulously obey the six daily duties of the Jain laity. A special “pūjā"corroborates these engagements,
4) the rite called "grhišitā" performed for a layman of a certain age to become, after a ceremony that grants him a special status, a kind of civil “Acārya” or “Grihasthācārya ". He gains great respect and is required to perform rites like that of marriage, as we have seen, or to resolve problems concerning the community,
5) the rite called "praśānti” by which the father transfers his activities to his son and devotes his time to fasts and meditations;
6) the rite called "grha-tyāga” when an old Jain who has progressively left his activities declares, in the presence of witnesses, that he renounces the world and devotes himself only to the liberation of his soul. His declaration is formal, after a "pūjā" in honour of a Tirthankara and the recitation of specific “mantra”.
After some time spent in the eleventh “pratimā”, a Jain laity may ask the “Ācārya” who leads the community (if he is belonging to “Terāpanthi” obedience) or an “Ācārya” of the community of which he is a member, to be admitted in his order. If his request is accepted, after a delay for instruction and preparation of a certain time, he undergoes the rite of initiation or consecration as an ascetic; called "dīksā", according details we will see in chapter 9.
We end the rites of the Jain laity by the one practiced at their death. Two cases may be considered depending on whether it is a natural death or a death by renouncement of life (sallekhanà).
At the approach of the death of a Jain layperson, it is recommended in India to call an ascetic or if abroad a “Gșhasthācārya” to hear his