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________________ types of murti or even no murti. The belief of higher spiritual benefits due to only Anjan Shalaka performed murti violates the basic principles of Jainism. Also the belief that Shasan Devta will help us to progress materially is also a clear violation of Jain principles. It indicates that we practice the religion based on greed or fear. There is strong evidence that the Pratishtha ritual manuscript was written around the 6th or 7th century. Historically this is the time when Chaityavasi yatis who were controlling the assets of the Jain temples, may have introduced such rituals to generate income for the Jain temple and to support their luxurious lifestyle. By introducing fears and greed in the ritual, they exploited and controlled the Jain communities. Because of these types of practices instituted in Jain temples, a layperson name Shri Lonkashah started movement of non-murti worshiping and established a Sthanakavasi sect. The Digambar Acharyas in India do not play any direct role in Pancha-Kalyanak and Pran Pratishtha ritual of the Digambar Tirthankar Murtis. They believe that it is a violation of their five great vows if they get involve directly in any types of rituals involving religious material (Dravya puja). Hence, Digambars have Panch Kayanak and similar Anjan Shalaka vidhi on a murti during Pratishtha ceremony done by a learned scholar or Pandit in America. Also Digambars do not have any such requirement that after Panch Kayanak Pratishtha vidhi, the Jain community must perform certain rituals daily. Both Darshan (viewing and praying) and Puja are voluntarily done by the community. It is acceptable if for some reason, no a temple on a particular day. They do not have to employ a pujari for such tasks Almost every American Jain temples associated with JAINA are neither Shvetambar nor Digambar. They are just Jain temples. We should be open to accept the best practices from every Jain sect and do not accept any religious practices which are imposed on us by tradition based on fear or greed. We should not be against religious rituals because no religion can survive without simple pious rituals. However, we should be totally against any ritual imposed on us by fear or greed. This approach may have been effective in the old times, but in today's environment it creates a negative impact on our youth and adults. In America, hardly any (less than 5%) 1st generation youth/adults who are around 30 to 40 years and older are active in their Jain temples, societies, and communities. To effectively implement the resolution passed by all Acharyas "A Puja cannot be considered a valid puja to an Anjan-Shalaka murti if only done by a paid Pujari", I would recommend and request all Jain Acharyas that they should not perform any Pran Pratishtha ritual on a new murti unless requesting organization and individual takes a vow stating that they will never hire any Pujari for daily Puja and Arti rituals. Alternatively the Acharyas can remove the daily Puja and Arti requirements as done in the Digambar traditions. This was the most difficult article I have ever compiled. Please let me know if you find any error in the information provided. If I have hurt any one's feeling with this article, I sincerely request forgiveness. Pravin K. Shah, Jaina Education Committee Jain eLibrary in charge jainaedu@gmail.com 919-859-4994 Revised - November 10, 2015 Original - June 27, 2008
| SR No. | 199998 |
| Book Title | Anjan Shalaka Pran Pratistha Ceremony Shwetambar Sect |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Pravin K Shah |
| Publisher | JAINA Education Committee |
| Publication Year | 2015 |
| Total Pages | 4 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Article, Jaina_Education, & 0_Jaina_education |
| File Size | 54 KB |