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18 - JAIN TEMPLES
Tirthankaras are similar. Usually, an image is carved from marble or cast from metal. Both Digambar and Shvetämbar Jain temples are famous for their unique intricate art and elaborate architecture.
Each Tirthankara has a unique emblem or symbol (Länchhan) that distinguishes the specific Tirthankara image from the images of other Tirthankaras. This symbol is found on the base of each image.
Before entering the temple, one must remove their shoes. One should not eat, drink or chew anything while in the temple, nor should one run-around, shout, talk to others, or socialize in the temple.
When one enters the temple, they should say 'Nissihi', meaning 'to leave behind'. This means that by mind, speech and action we are leaving all our worldly relations outside the temple, which in turn implies leaving our vices (Kashayas), which include anger, ego, deceit and greed. A donation box in a temple promotes anonymous giving.
Recommendation for Offerings at the Temple The principle of non-violence, and in particular non-violence to five sensed animals, should not be compromised during the offerings of the religious rituals. We need to practice the religion based on Time Place, and Circumstances in which we are surrounded. One should not use milk and sweets for puja and Ghee for divo or lamp, as almost all modern dairy products are obtained by torturing and exploiting cows and other animals. The milk producing cows are kept pregnant all the time during their fertile life and are slaughtered after their milk yield drops by 30%, which is around 5 years of age, while their life expectancy is 15 years. In pujä, one should use pure water instead of water mixed with milk, use dry fruits instead of sweets, and use Castor oil instead of Ghee. About 100 years ago, all Jain temples used castor oil for divo. Also, one should not use silver foil (Varakh) for decoration of images since Varakh is manufactured using the intestine of the cow. One should not wear pearls, silk, fur and leather as they are obtained by killing oysters, worms and other animals.
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JAINISM AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
