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Their Rites, Cults and Religious Festivals : 175 of sacred places, the “kåla-pūjä" to celebrate the beauty of a statue or the life of an Arhat, the “agra-pūja" when offerings are put in front of the statue, the “anga-pūjā” when they are placed on the statue, specific “pūjā” like the "śānti snātra pūja" in favour of peace in the world, and so on.
Digambara proceed like the Svetambara but do not use flowers, Fighted lamps or fruits during their "pūja" they usually sprinkle yellow rice grains in all directions to purify the surroundings.
As mentioned earlier, some Jain communities resort to a "pujārī” to practice these cults and to keep watch over their temples. For a "pujāri" it is not necessary to be a Jain. In South India Digambara often have their "pājā "performed by an officiant and devotees take part to it by religious songs, hymns and recitations of “mantra ". Those in North India generally prefer to perform their "pājā" themselves. Concerning Svetāmbara, both methods are used. In the evening, it is often a “pujāri" who does the "āratī” in the temple and burns some incense sticks.
Sthānakavāsi practice, at home or in their “sthānaka ", a specific cult that comprises, in the morning, the recitation of the “Namokāra Mantra” with a rosary of 108 beans and the “karemi bhante "which is a promise not to commit sins during the day in thoughts, words or acts. Next, they praise the 24 Tirthankara (caturviṁśatistava), greet the gurus (vandana) and ask forgiveness for their sins of the day before and of the night. After the recitation of the “Tassottarī pātha” to purify their body, they decide to undergo various austerities during that day to expiate their sins and they say another praising of the Tirthankara. In the evening, they confess their sins of the day, and sing hymns of praise. They must furthermore read sacred books acknowledged as valuable by their obedience. They are also recommended to fast regularly and to meditate for the elevation of their soul.
b) "Mantra", "sūtra”, prayers, religious songs and hymns: Jains recite and sing, as we have seen, numerous appropriate “mantra"
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