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Journey into Jainism
Chaturmaas: Four months of rainy season; period in which
Jain monks and nuns are not allowed to go from one village to another, but rather spend
their time in one place Deeksha: The formal process of initiation into monkhood
or nunhood; the vows one takes to become a
monk or nun Deva : A god Fast: Ritual of not eating or drinking for 36 hours (2
nights, 1 day), except water during the day Jaati Smaran: Memory of previous (past) birth(s) Jinakalpa: The Practise of a special code of conduct by
the Jain monks resembling a jina or Tirthankara Kaayotsarg: A standing posture of meditation peculiar to
Jain religious practitioners; literally ‘giving up
attachment to the body Karma: The subtle material particles attracted by the
activity of the soul; elimination of karma particles, good and bad, is necessary for the
liberation of the soul Kesariya-modak: A sweet prepared from wheat flour, sugar
and clarified butter called ghee, with saffron
added for colour and flavour Kevalgyaana: The supreme state of knowledge attained
through penance and meditation and after the attainment of which one is emancipated from
the cycle of birth and death Kheer: A special dish prepared from milk, rice and
sugar with raisins etc. added