Jin puja

Author(s): Harendra Shah
Publisher: USA Jain Center Northern Calfornia

Page 12

Jin Pujä
2.11. How to come out of the temple ?
After ringing the bell, you must leave the temple without turning your back towards the Parmätmä (Idol). You must retreat walking backwards and say "Ävissahi.
After coming out of the temple, sit for a few minutes outside the temple visualizing the Parmätmä with eyes softly closed, steady body and full mental concentration.
3. Brief Description Ashtaprakäri (Eight Fold) Jinpujä per Digambar tradition
Abhishekh: Abhishekh is performed by the Pujäri (male); the rest of the members participate in reading the Jinpujä. Altar area is cleaned. Abhishek involves cleaning of the altar by sprinkling saffron water in the eight directions and cleaning of the Parmätmä, then wiping the Parmätmä dry by using dry cloth. Several kalashes (pots) of pure water is used in bathing the Parmätmä as the bell is rang and the Abhishekh path is read or Namokar Mahä Mantra is recited. The rest of the participants are reading or chanting the Abhishekh Path. Usually, there should be a continuous stream of water until the Abhishekh Path is complete. Then the Parmätmä is first wiped by wet cloth and then with a dry cloth.
Sthäpanä: Take three full cloves and hold one clove at a time between the two ring fingers. While keeping the clove head pointing forward and while chanting the sthäpanä, place the cloves in an elevated place. The first clove represents that May Dev-Shostra-Guru come into my thoughts, second clove represents that May Dev-Shostra-Guru stay in my thoughts, and third clove represents that May Dev-Shostra-Guru be near me.
Invocation: The rays of the sun of omniscience illuminate whose inner self, That voice of Jinendra expounds beautifully the fundamentals of our being, The monks who proceed on the path of right faith, knowledge, and conduct, I bow to thee, oh God, scriptures and monks of the Jain order, a hundred times. I implore of the trio to settle in my mind, while I am offering this homage.
Brief Description of AshtPrakäri Pujä:
1. Water: Pleasures of the senses are sweet poison, nevertheless one is attracted towards this
handsome human frame, I have failed to comprehend that all this is the manifestation of matter alone, Forgetting my own glories, I have adhered to attachments of the non-self, Now I have come to you to wash off wrong faith with the pure water of right faith. I offer to you this water for destroying wrong faith as it has not been able to quench my eternal thirst.
2. Sandalwood: All the sentient and non-sentient entities behave and act in their own limits of
existence, Calling them favorable or unfavorable is a false attitude of the mind, I have only lengthened the circle of life and death by becoming unhappy with unfavorable associations, I have come to you with a grieved heart to get peace of mind, as from sandalwood. I offer to you this sandalwood to destroy the anger in me as this has not been able to keep me calm and undisturbed.
Compiled by Harendra Shah
6/20/02