Jainism For Beginners Level 02

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 30

Worship PUJA
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Worship is offered in three different ways:
(sandalwood) paste, and Pushpa (flowers). In these pujas, the devotee physically touches the idol. Hence the devotee is required to cover the mouth first and then touch the idol for puja.
1.
The first worship is called Angapuja. This is done by anointing the different parts of an idol of Arihanta with water. sandalwood paste, and a flower.
2.
The second worship is called Agrapuja, which is done by placing incense, a lamp, rice, fruit, and sweets in front of idols.
The remaining five pujas are known as "Agra Puja". They are done in front of the idols using Dhoop (incense), Deepak (lamp), Akshat (rice). Naivedya (sweets), and Fal (fruits). The idol is not touched in these pujas, so there is no need to cover the mouth.
3.
The third worship is Bhavpuja, which is done by performing Chaityavandan. The first and second worships together make Ashta-prakari Puja (eightfold worship). Collectively these two Pujas are called Dravyapuja (physical worship).
AVASTHA CHINTAN
(Contemplating on the Different States of Arihanta)
Ashta Prakari Puja (eightfold worship):
TEN RITUALS OF TEMPLE
The Ashta-prakari Puja is done by offering eight different types of substances during worship. Internal devotional worship is reflected within. Jain Puja symbolizes various aspects of our religion. One should reflect on such aspects while performing the Puja rituals. There are different types of Puja being performed for various religious and social ceremonies. (The details are found in Level-I)
After completing the external
worship, you must carry out this contemplation. The male should stand on the right side of the idol of Arihanta (that is the left side while facing the idol) while the female should stand on the left side of it (that is the right side while facing the idol). Standing this way, you should contemplate on the three different states that Arihantas went through. They are:
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The first three pujas are called "Anga Puja”. They are done by oblating (Abhisheka) the idol, offering Chandan
Pindastha Avastha (ordinary embodied souls) Padastha Avastha (omniscient embodied souls) Rupatita Avastha (liberated souls).
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