YJA Convention 1996 07 San Francisco CA Second

Author(s): Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA

Page 57

struggle of day-to-day life is put aside and the clarity and calming influence in front of the images of the Tirthankaras. A temple fulfills the needs of our society as a place to worship and teach our younger members.
Jain temples are usually located anywhere. They can be in the middle of teaming metropolis or in the middle of a steaming jungle or mountainside. The more ancient and prominent temples are built on the site of some incredible event or where a tirthankara once was. Temples have their own personality, just like a person. Some are beautiful from the outside and some from the inside. Some have a calming atmosphere while others have a not so calming atmosphere.
Palitana (Shatrunjay) Temple Site
This temple site is considered the ultimate site. Parents must go to this site if they are in India. Palithana is located on the Shatrunjay mountainside in the state of Gujrat. It is a temple which no one knows who built. It has been there from the beginning and will always be there according to the Jain scripture. A murti of Rushabdev is located in the main temple of Palithana, he is the first tirthankara of this cycle and was said to have achieved kevalgnana(Omniscience) under a tree there. There is story connected to the tree as well, the tree which still stands in the temple is said to drop a leaf every time a soul reaches moksha somewhere in the Universe.
This temple site is built around a fort site and was defended as such. Untouched by war and conquering armies like other Jain temples, Palithana has stood the test of time.
While war and strife have not hurt this temple, money has. Though the temple is largely untouched the lower site where most of the followers of Jainism come and stay while on this pilgrimage has become commercial. There is also the problem of himsa(violence) taking place in the temple by the flowers being sold there. Many monks believe that the flowers being placed by ardent followers on the murtis is wrong because of the himsa created in using flowers who have life. The vendors believe their livelihood is being taken away. While the temple will stand for all of eternity, it cannot remain untouched. It reminds us that even with the best of intentions, a wonder of beauty can be destroyed.
Ranakpur Temple Site
Ranakpur is located in the southern mountains of Rajastan. It is beautiful temple nestled in the jungle far away from the haunts of society. The journey to Ranakpur is arduous and usually on a one lane road up in the mountains with hundred foot drops on one side and outcropping rocks on the other. Built by Minister Dhana Shah over 1000 years ago this temple has also stood the test of time. It is known for it's incredible architecture and stunning columns. There are so many columns, but placed in such a way that a person can stand anywhere and still see a murti. The main murti is that of Rushabdev.
This temple was saved from the Moguls and the British by its remote location, but there were times where this temple was invaded. During those times, the caretakers placed as
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