Jain Funeral Procedures

Author(s): Tansukh J Salgia
Publisher: Tansukh J Salgia

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The third rare opportunity: Even rarer is the opportunity to have the purity of Soul that makes it possible for one to appreciate the truth of the knowledge and to contemplate on the self-redeeming themes therein. The fourth rare opportunity: Most rare is the opportunity to be born with the strength of Soul that makes it possible for one to make the effort to progress toward liberation; "Moksha'. Most rare it is to have the strength and conviction to rigorously implement the self-redeeming themes in one's life.
That the rarest of the rare faculties of true insight ought to be fully harnessed to the quest of eternal Bliss is the seminal idea of this rare opportunity of human life. True insight is firm belief that the Self is worthy. The supreme quality of the Pure Soul (the Pure Self) is thus the only worthy objective that the aspirant should set for him or her self. That, indeed, is the worthy destiny of the Self.
True insight is anchored on this firm belief.
The extremely auspicious occurrence resulting in a Soul taking human birth in which only an infinitesimally few realize true insight providing the threshold to self-realization is the knowledge emphasized in this reading.2
b) Prayer of Affirmation of Faith.
"Great Tirthankaras we are strengthened by your achievements, your example and your teaching and the knowledge you have given us. With your example you have shown us what freedom and greatness humans can achieve. We resolve at this time to make the effort until we reach Arahant stage/state where there is no falling back from our goal of becoming Siddha; a liberated Soul."
c) Prayer of Comfort, Remembrance and Bidding Farewell: "We are comforted that for __name of deceased__ (any pain, sickness, and sorrow are ended, and) death itself is past, and trust that for her/him there is peace and happiness. We recognize all that he/she was to those who loved him/her. We will have (1-3) minutes silence. In this silence we remember him/her person's name__ and bid farewell to this (great) Soul."
Period of Silence.
After the period of silence the presider says: "We will now recite together the UNIVERSAL
WELL-BEING MANTRA (1 time) followed by its meaning.
SHIVAMASTU SARVA JAGATAH
(UNIVERSAL WELL-BEING MANTRA) SHIVAMASTU SARVA JAGATAH PARAHITA NIRATA BHAVAN TU BHUTA GANA.
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