English Pratikraman Introduction and Ritual together for English Speaking Jains

Author(s): Mayur and Rita Lodaya (Speaker)
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 83

Eight Pratihärya - Endowed by Heavenly gods Simhäsan
Bhämandal
Chämar
Chhatra Traya
Ashok Vruksha
Pushpa Vristi Deva Dundubhi
Divya Dhvani
A divine seat from where Arihanta delivers his sermon.
A halo behind Arihanta's head is always present.
Heavenly beings wave diamond studded fans (Chämar) to honor Arihanta's greatness. A three tier divine umbrella over the head of a Arihanta is always present, which suggests that the Tirthankar is the king of the entire universe that consists of three regions - Heaven, Hell, and Earth.
The Ashok tree under which Arihanta sits to deliver sermons.
•
APPENDIX
A continuous shower of fragrant flowers. A divine announcement declaring Arihanta's
sermons.
Celestial music accompanying Arihanta's
sermon.
Some Jain literature expands the above 12 attributes to 34 attributes of Tirthankars also known as 34 Atishaya. Some differences exist between the Shvetämbar and Digambar traditions in defining these Atishayas.
34 Atishaya of a Tirthankar - Shvetämbar Tradition:
4 Attributes Present at Birth:
·
Divine and healthy body, which is fragrant and without perspiration
· Fragrant breath
Milky white, odorless blood and flesh
• Invisible food intake (diet) and excreta
11 Attributes attained at Omniscience or Keval-Jnäna: • Eight attributes indicating absence of disease, enmity, calamity, plague, flooding, draught, famine, and political unrest up to a distance of 125 Yojan (ancient degree of measurement 1 Yogan: approximately 4 miles).
The Tirthankar's sermon, though delivered in Ardha-Mägadhi language, is understood well by all, including animals, and is heard clearly up to 1 Yojan away.
ENGLISH PRATIKRAMAN
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