$JES 302 Jain Philosophy Level 3 Book

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

Page 40

GOING TO THE TEMPLE - DIGAMBAR TRADITION
Abhisheka
Bathing the idol is called Abhisheka and is usually done with pure water. On certain occasions, people perform the Panchamrut Abhisheka, which consists of five substances (dravyas): water, milk, curd, sandal water, and ghee. However, seeing the way in which milk is obtained these days, one should not use milk and its products in Pujä.
The main purpose of the abhisheka is to wash away any bad thoughts in our mind. It also serves the purpose of keeping the idol clean. The prayer usually used during this pujä is Papacharan taj nabha karke chitt me ese dharu, sakchayat sri Arihant ka mano nabhansparsan karoo, which is given under Janmkalyanak in Pujä books. It reminds us of how Indra felt as he was bathing the newborn Tirthankar. We pray to God to remove all evil thoughts, desires, passions and worldly attachments so that what remains of us will be pure self.
After bathing the idol is dried with clean clothes. At this time one recites the prayer "Prabhu Patit Pawan".
Pujä - Prärabdha
In this ritual one recites the Swasti Mangal Stotra
Main Pujä:
The main pujä is done with eight substances (Asta-dravya)
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Jal Pujä
In this pujä, pure water is offered to rid oneself of the cycle of birth, aging, and death (Janma Jara Mrityu Vinashnaya). Every living being continuously travels through the miseries of birth, life, and death. The Jal reminds us to live our life as pure as water; this way one will be able to attain Moksha.
Chandan Pujä
In this pujä, sandal wood powder or saffron mixed in water is offered to subside the suffering of the world (Sansär taap vinashnaya). The very nature of Chandan (sandal) is to overcome our miseries thru knowledge of our religion.
Akshat Pujä
In this pujä, white washed rice without husk (called Akshat) is offered which symbolizes the end of the birth, life, and death cycle (Akshay pad praptaya) just as white rice can not be re-germinated.
Pushp Pujä
In this pujä, flower or saffron colored rice is offered. Flower symbolizes passion and sensual pleasure. Offering the flower means abandoning all passions, which are the root cause for the accumulation of karmas (Kamvaan Vinasnaya). Saffron colored rice is used most of the time instead of picking flowers, which causes hinsa to plants and carries insects in them.
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE I