Jina Poojan

SR No.: 004558
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Oshwal Associations of The UK
Publisher: Oshwal Associations of The UK
Total Pages: 52
Language: Gujarati, English
Classification: Book_Gujarati, Ritual_text, & Ritual
File Size: 7 MB

Page 4

2
1. Introduction and Background
Before we start, we must emphasize that there are many different ways of doing Jinpujä. What you read here and what you may see during the Pratishthä, is not the only way. Keeping in mind the Jain doctrine of Anekäntväd (multiple viewpoints), we want to make it clear that it is not our intention to offend anyone.
Pujäs and Poojans (Part 1)
Rites & Rutuals in Jainism
The one and only purpose of Jainism is to attain Moksha' (salvation, freedom from cycle of life and death or eternal happiness). Rites and rituals are small but important beginning steps towards the path of Moksha and as such is an integrated part of daily life of a Shravak. The rites and rituals consist of Bhakti and Worship. All the Jain rites and rituals are to be performed with Samvarbhav (stopping of influx of karmic matters) because our ultimate ambition is to achieve supreme and eternal bliss and peace.
Unlike the general concept of rites and rituals, Jains do not perform rites and rituals for worldly happiness, fo a certain miracle or to please some divine power. In Jainism, the purpose of rites and rituals is to pay our respect to Tirthankars for the salvation they have attained, for showing us the path of purification (Moksha), and to get the inspiration to become like them. The aspirant (Südhak) attains the inner peace by performing the rites and rituals, and suppresses his/her passions such as anger, ego, deceit and greed. The Bhakti and Worship should imprint an everlasting impression of Jain principles in the minds of an aspirant (Sadhak). Rites and Rituals performed with pure thoughts and true Jain principles of Ahimsa in mind should lead the aspirant to believe that path to Moksha can only be attained by acquiring the three jewels, namely, Samyak Gnana (Right Knowledge), Samyak Darshan (Right Perception), and Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct). Then slowly but surely, the aspirant sets out on the path of salvation. Tirthankars were humans like us before they attained Moksha. Similarly, we human beings can attain Moksha and become like THEM.
The most important rituals among the Jains are worship of idols.
1. Daily Pujd or Worship
2. Special (parva) Pujä or Worship
Daily Worship of idols
L.I. Why do we need to do Jinpujä?
Jinpuja is a spiritual ritual designed for Shrävaks. The presence of image of Tirthankar provides mental peace and harmony and encourages one to detach him/her self from the worldly desires. The forum is that Pujäs provide help people discipline themselves. It is considered to be a simple, preliminary step towards the attainment of Moksha. We pray and/ or worship to pay our respects to the Tirthankars because THEY have liberated, THEY have explained the path of liberation and to get an inspiration to become like THEM.
Moksha = moha + kshaya; moha means delusion and kshaya means eradication - this makes Moksha as the state where there is no delusion and all karma are eradicated. There are three jewels, samyak-darsana or right perception (inclination or belief), samyak-gnäna or right knowledge (cognition), samyak-chäritra or right conduct - these three combined are the means of Moksha.