Jain Digest 2015 06

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 49

The Construction of Jain Temple and Aradhana Jain Rituals:
Bhavan:
Construction finally has begun for the temple and Aradhana Bhavan (A place for any Pious Celebration with the Jain Community) in the year 2001. Combining traditional Eastern ideology, religious theology and architecture wasn't easy when dealing with a Western mindset and with the adverse weather conditions. While the cold Belgian climate is not favorable for marble, it was important for us to retain the condition of the temple in good state for years to come. Thus builders have chosen and ordered the hand-carved marble and cut marble stones from Makrana, which provides the strongest marble available today in the world to stay intact in all weather conditions, Makrana is a town in west north of India which is world-famous destination for the quality of its marble.
At the construction site in Antwerp, the operation to construct this temple was like a giant lego system while assembling marbles by approximately 250 Indian technicians who came to Antwerp on a six-month rotating basis. Jain temples are made according to the ancient scriptures known as shilpa-shastra that lay out the salient features, correct measurements and astrological directions. The use of iron is forbidden in the making of Jain temples, so we had adapted by using copper instead. While the grills and windows of a Jain Temple in India normally remain open but here in Antwerp due to weather condition, it is covered with insulated glass windows. The Meditation Centre which we call as Aradhana Bhavan is a total of over 2,000 square-meter construction next to the temple that was built entirely by the Belgian contractors with all different facilities that are required to accommodate people for any small or big religious events. The doors of Aradhana Bhavan are exhibiting Jain historical events and philosophy and that are made in special teak wood stable in all weather conditions.
JAIN DIGEST
There was a special ceremony took place called Anjan-Shalaka or Pran-Pratistha, during which the holy-collyrium is applied to the eyes of the statues. "In this ceremony, the Acharya Bhagwant (the top rank for Jain Monks) who brings divine life in these statues effectively gives Life, or Prana, to the image in a sacred ceremony. After this
sacred ceremony, marble statues become the God/ Prabhuji/Parmatma that are now meant for worshiping/ praying.
Antwerp's Temple is dedicated to the 23rd Jain Tirthankar Parshvanath (877-777 BCE), a living person who has conquered worldly life and diminished the cycle of death and re-birth, and provides a bridge between sansar to moksh/nirvana- liberation/ free of soul from its body and that is the state of soul free from all Karma while following the right faith and right knowledge. Mulnayak of the temple is Shri Shankheshwar Parshvanath Bhagawan and has a special portal to place the deities for worship. There are Shri Adeshwarnath Bhagwan, Shri Mahavirswami Bhagwan, Shri Munisuvratswami Bhagwan, Shri Vasupujyaswami Bhagvan, Shree Padmavati Devimata and Shree Ghantakarna Mahavir-Dev also in this temple.
A great Jain saint Acharyashri Subodhsagarji who is initially Guru Bhagwant of Antwerp Jain Sangh led the dream of constructing Jain temple in Antwerp. After his sad demise due to his illness it was followed with utmost care, under guidance by his disciples Jain saint Acharyashri Manohar Kirti Sagarsuriji and Jain saint Acharyashri Udaykirtisagarsuriji.
491 MAY-JUN 2015