$JES 103 Jain Alphabet Book Level 1 Book

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 65

T IS FOR TEMPLE
Tis for Temple
Temple Is A Place For Prayer And Worship
A temple is a place of worship where a person experiences immense peace and serenity. The images of Tirthankars and the temple's environment promote introspection and bring home the feeling that God resides within one's own heart. Therefore, each person can follow a path of purification of the inner self devoid of anger, greed, ego, deceit, and attachment from their lives. The idols of Tirthankar Bhagawan are placed in Jain temples and we go there to worship them. When we enter the temple, we say Nissihi, meaning 'to refrain from', reminding us to leave behind our worldly thoughts and think only of our soul. The purpose of worship is to pay respect to Tirthankars for their compassion and for showing us the true path for our liberation. This also reminds us that we should put all our efforts to become like them. Just praying and not taking any action to free our soul does not work. We must take action to discipline ourselves so that we can control our desires and passions and be compassionate towards others. We should regularly visit the Temple. Some sects of Jainism do not worship idols in temple but they meditate in the Upäshray.
Note: T is also for Truth
JAIN ALPHABET BOOK
65