Jain Journal 2005 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 17

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JAIN JOURNAL VOL-NI. NO. 2 OCTOBER. 2005
economic status, living place etc. One folk song narrating this tradition this way tells
'Jains won't take curds
till the rays of the morning sun touch the temple door! Even
the little son at home follows this vow!"
Here curds represent food.
which
'Svadhyāya' or studying the philosophical books is another rule every Jain (whether householder or saint) has to follow. So, there is a custom in majority of the Jaina householders that any one in the house reads out a religious book every day to all in the house. A folk song sketches this situation like this
'O Thou, daughter of the honest ones
and daughter-in-law of moral ones,.
bring and keep the light on the platform! your hubby reads sastras till the morn!'
This verse expresses the seriousness with which the preparations were made for reading and also the seriousness with which that person reads.
Respecting and serving the monks is another custom followed by the Jains. Various folk songs describe this attitude and behaviour. Naming the children after the revered Guru is also there. A folk verse expresses this desire. A Jaina householder tells
"Naming after the monk I respectfully call O Guru of my household-keeping your name I call my children respectfully!"
Naming the children after the family god, fore-fathers is a tradition followed by the Indians. The Jains also have the same custom.
Remembering and saluting god as we get up from the bed is a custom followed by all orthodox people in the world. The Jains also do it. In a folksong an ordinary woman tells that she becomes happy