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18-JAIN TEMPLES
18- Jain Temples
A Jain temple is a place of worship, where a person experiences immense peace and serenity. It is a beautiful, quiet and peaceful place to reflect upon our true nature and soul. It promotes introspection, and brings home the feeling that God/Soul resides within one's self. Therefore, each person can follow a path of purification of the inner self, devoid of anger, ego, deceit, and greed.
More than 80% of Jains, of both the Shvetämbar and Digambar traditions, believe in worshiping
Tirthankara images in temples. Primarily two types of Tirthankara images exist in Jain temples. The images with semi-closed eyes are adopted by the Digambar tradition whereas the images with open eyes are adopted by the Shvetämbar tradition.
Digambar and Shvetämbar Images
Digambars keep the images in their natural undecorated form. Shvetämbars decorate the Tirthankara's images luxuriously. This symbolizes that Tirthankaras were kings, had much royal wealth, yet did not find happiness in such material possessions. They renounced all their wealth for the benefit of society and took vows of complete non-possession.
An image (murti) of a Tirthankara, either sitting in Padmäsan posture or standing straight, illustrates the form of deepest meditation. The face and eyes shower the devotee with compassion and inspire calmness within. The image represents the qualities of a Tirthankara but not the physical body. Hence, the images of all
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