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RITUALS
DO5 - Six Ävashyakas (Six Essentials and Daily Observances)
2. Chauvisattho-Devotional Prayer to Tirthankars
Chauvisattho means praying and appreciating the attributes of the 24 Tirthankars. This is the reverential worship of the twenty-four Tirthankars to reflect on their qualities, such as freedom from attachment and aversion (Vitaragatva). By striving to attain these qualities, we can control our passions. By reciting Logassa Sutra, we offer obeisance to the 24 Tirthankar Bhagawan, and therefore it is known as Chaturvimshati-Stava. By reciting Logassa Sutra with true faith, we strive to attain the qualities of Tirthankar and thus, purify our beliefs and attain right faith. Those who possess Right Faith will ultimately attain Moksha. Types of Devotional Prayer: The devotional prayer is also of two types: External (Dravya)
Internal (Bhäva) To express one's devotion by worshipping Tirthankars' idols with purifying substances like rice and flowers constitutes external praise (dravya stuti), while to devotionally praise their inherent qualities is internal praise (bhäva stuti). During Pratikraman, this is accomplished through the recitation of the following Sutras. Sutras Recited During Chauvisattho / Chaturvimshati Stava Avashyak:
Worshiping of 24 Tirthankars by names Logassa Sutra Saluting Qualities and virtues of Tirthankars Namutthunam Sutra Devotional Prayer to Tirthankars
Jaya Viyaräya Sutra Salutes the Teachings (Ägam Scriptures) of Pukkhara-var-di Sutra Tirthankars Bows to all Siddhas along with Lord Mahävir Siddhänam Buddhänam Sutra and the Tirtha places where the Tirthankars
have attained Nirvana These prayers inspire an individual to practice these ideals in his/her own life. 3. Vandana - Respecting Ascetics
Vandana means respecting and saluting. In the absence of a Tirthankar, our true spiritual teachers are Jain Acharyas, Upadhyäys, and Sädhus, who show us the path to liberation. Acharyas, Upadhyäys, and Sädhus are true practitioners of the path to liberation. Hence, Vandana means paying respect to all ascetics including Acharyas, Upadhyäys, and all other Sädhus and Sadhvis. By paying respect to them, we subdue our ego, control our passions, and develop humility (Vinay). This process helps us advance spiritually. Types of Vandana There are three types of Vandanä defined in Jain literature.
If we meet an ascetic on the road or any other places, we can just bow our head by saying 'Matthaena Vandämi' or 'Vandämi Namamsämi', which means 'I bow to you'. If we visit ascetics in their Upäshray (temporary residence), then we should inquire about their wellbeing and request forgiveness for any impoliteness towards them. Pratikraman ritual should be done in the presence of an ascetic. During the traditional Pratikraman
ritual, one recites Suguru Vandana sutra, which is a complete Vandana of an ascetic. For English Pratikraman, we have chosen the second type of Vandana, because this will be most useful when any English speaking Jain visits an ascetic in an Upäshray.
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
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