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Jin Pujä
1.10. How to stand in front of the Parmätmä?
While worshipping or doing darshan of the Parmätmä, men should stand on the right side and women should stand on the left side of the Parmätmä. This is done to observe the courtesy, and to allow others to see (darshan) the Parmätmä.
1.11. Whom to watch when we are in temple?
We should watch the Parmätmä without looking a) upwards, downwards or sideways; b) right or left or c) behind all the time when we are in the temple.
2. Basic Steps to be followed in the temple
2.1. Nisihi & Pranam
We should utter words 'Nisihi' (to give up) thrice first time while entering the main door of the temple. It means that I will restrain myself from engaging in worldly activities, physically, verbally and mentally. Say 'Namo Jinänam Jiabhyänam' with folded hands while bowing the head as soon as we see Jin Murti in the temple. Then proceed to do the Jin Darshan of the Mul-Näyak.
There are three ways to do the Pranäm to Paramätmä: a) Bowing head with our both hands folded together. b) Bowing down by bending the upper part of our body half way and do Pranäm with folded hands. c) Bowing down by bringing the five limbs of the body together (two arms, two knees and the head) on the floor.
The second time 'Nisihi' is uttered before entering the inner temple (Gabhärä). This signifies that I am abandoning the activities relating to the temple matters.
The third time 'Nisihi' is uttered after completion of Jin Pujä. This signifies that I will restrain myself from physical acts of worship (Dravya Pujä) before performing 'Chaitya Vandan' (Bhäv Pujä).
2.2. Pradakshinä
After the Jin Darshan of Mul-Näyak, we should proceed to perform three Pradakshinä (circumambulation) the Parmätmä (in Bhomati, also called Gomati), starting from the right of HIM. It is symbolic for acquiring virtues of right perception, right knowledge and right conduct.
While doing first Pradakshinä, we should recite the following:
Käl anädi anantthi, bhav-bhramanno nahi pär, Te bhramanä niväravä, Pradakshanä daoo tran vär, Bhamati mä bhamatä thakä, bhav-bhävath door paläy, Jnän-darshan-chäritra roop, Pradakshanä tran devai.
While doing second Pradakshinä, we should recite the following:
Compiled by Harendra Shah
6/20/02
