Atmavallabh

SR No.: 012062
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jagatchandravijay, Nityanandvijay
Publisher: Atmavallabh Sanskruti Mandir
Publication Year: 1989
Total Pages: 300
Language: Hindi, English, Gujarati
Classification: Smruti_Granth & Articles
File Size: 55 MB

Page 129

16
TEMPLE WORSHIP
is the exterior aspect of inner purity: bad, coarse, irrelevant thoughts should be kept away. The
surroundings of the image should be kept clean Worship is of two kinds. It can be worship in the
and swept. The objects used in worship and offered presence of an image or alternative worship of the
before the God should be pure and fresh and good, God without any image. The latter is regarded as a
purchased with money honestly earned. Lastly, the higher form of worship but for most people it is
ceremonies of worship should not be interrupted valuable to have a physical representation of the
or distracted by worldly affairs or cares God before their eyes. It focuses attention and the mind and spirit are immediately directed to the
The process of formal worship may be summed up object of worship instead of wandering loosely in ten group of triple actions or considerations around failing to centre in on the object and act of
First there is the triple utterance of the word worship. Some deride this as mere idolatry but that nisihi. It symbolises the putting aside of former is to mistake the whole nature of worship of a holy activities. On entering the temple one leaves image. The slump of stone is not itself God but is sacred symbol of the God. The Tirthankara or
shrine even the activities concerned with the outer
shrine even the act siddha is far beyond our reach, but, in a way
temple are set aside. Thirdly, the word marks the difficult to explain in words, the Tirthankara is
completion of the physical acts of worship before present in the holy image for the worship of the faithful. The focal point of the temple is the holy Second comes the triple circumambulation of the
tion of the image of God and the temple is a place for the image from right to left. Third is the reverence to
med reverence to worship of the God
the image with folded hands and the words Namo Many ancient writings, and modern ones too, Jainism, with a deep bow and with complete describe the rituals of worship. The rituals put obeisance. Then, as the fourth set of actions, come order and structure into worship, again focusing the three kinds of puja, anga puja with water, the devotions of the faithful. The beauty of the sandalwood paste and flowers, agra puja with words and music, with the beauty of the image and incense, lights, the swastika symbol in rice grains. its setting, inspire in the devotee the beauty of with sweets and with fruit, and bhava puja or religious faith and worship, hence worship should chaitya vandan, worship with songs and prayers be performed with due and proper ceremony, with which follows the others. Then the fifth trio proper preparation and with full understanding consents of contemplation during the puja on three The first requirement for the devotions in the stages of the Tirthankara's lite, childhood, kingship temple is purity. This is a rather vague word. What and the ascetic life. Restraining the gaze from
ning the gaze from it means here is first of all actual physical wandering in any of three directions away from the cleanliness of the body and clothes. One should Jina image, and gently brushing tiny creatures to bathe before worship and it is right to keep special safety in threefold action, constitute the sixth and clothes, simple and clean: a dhoti and scarf are seventh. ideal for a man, simple clothing for a woman. This Eighthly, during the prayers and hymns of the
chaitya vandan three things should be borne in mind, to enunciate them clearly rather than rushing over them, whilst following the meaning with understanding, and keeping gaze and contemplation on the image. Three mudras, positions of the hands, are appropriate during the chaitya vandan, firstly the ten fingers folded in lotus form, secondly the hands hanging loosely whilst standing, and then the hands brought together, hollow, against the forehead. The tenth point for attention is that the chaitya vandan is followed with triple concentration of mind, voice, action If the previous paragraphs are re-read it will be seen that the ordered tenfold sequence leads the worshippers through from entrance into the temple to reverence of the image, then into the ritual acts and offerings, and lastly into the prayers and hymns and to the conclusion of worship. Jain rituals can be very beautiful and very moving The actions and words become familiar to the devotees so that the whole flows graciously from one stage to the next. Ritual can get mechanical, however and it is necessary to keep the mind fixed on the object and purpose so that the familiar does not degenerate into the mindless repetition of sterile and token obeisance.
hymns lead the faithful onwards in spiritual development. These are not the final stages of the spiritual training Beyond a certain stage the Jain will find that he or she has less and less need for external aids to devotion and worship will reach that higher level when the God is present in abstraction, not in physical image. This stage is not, yet, for everyone and the temple and its worship are there to help the aspirant onwards on the path
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