YJA Convention 2000 07 LA Fourth

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

Page 56

REALISTIC JAINISM: Putting it into Practice
presented by Timir Chheda with Seema Dedhia and Avni Shah
THE RITUALS OF TEMPLE GOING
presented by Jigna Shah and Soha Shah
How do you define 'practice'? I go to the temple and I'm vegetarian, what more do I have to do? Is practicing Jainism through my way of thinking and my actions a replacement for the rituals I don't know?" Is it realistic' to be Jain?
Who created the rituals we perform today? Is it important for me to know the rituals? Should I go to the temple if I don't know the rituals? Can I perform these rituals at home? How does going to the temple and doing formal rituals compare to going to any place with no distractions and reciting the Namokar Mantra in peace? If the Tirthankaras do not benefit from us at all, why do most of the Jain traditions believe in temple worship?
This piece was created because we have seen a duality in the nature of Jain youth. Jain theory might be well understood but the eternal problem is application. I do not want this discussion to turn into a lethargic debate of what is considered "non-Jain" and "Jain", but one of how youth can practice Jainism in our lives. We will be able to learn from each other's experiences and travails which is the great gift that this convention offers with nationwide attendance and participation. To inspire youth to act, rather than wallow in their disillusionment - what better reason is there?
How many of you have truly wondered, "Am I behaving the way! am supposed to in the temple?" "Am I doing what I am suppose to be doing?" All of us have a tendency to wonder this but we continue to do what we have been doing whether right or wrong. Wonder no more! This essay covers the basic rituals that are involved when going to the temple. Now, there are many, many rituals that spread across the Digambar and Shvetambar sects. We are not going to differentiate between the two. The purpose here is to inform readers, Jain and non-Jain, of basic temple going rituals that all Jains should follow whether Digambar or Shvetambar.
Too many times have I seen debate over the intricacies of Jainism, the nuances of practice, and the subtleties of worship. Too many times have I seen young people confused over words such as "proper", "paapa", and "Jain". Coincidence? Although many youth feel the effects of the generation gap and identity crisis, many more have another problem to wrestle with: the Reality Crisis.
1. Let's start at the beginning. One of the most important
things to do when going to the temple is rinsing the mouth. No one should enter the temple right after eating unless having rinsed the mouth. (Now, if you are anything like me, you want to know why.) It is out of respect for God that we should not speak in their symbolic presence with a mouth that is not clean. This is just one of the basics.
Sure we all know about Ahinsa and the karma theory, so we practice our individual lifestyles accordingly. We all know about krodha, maana, maya, and lobha so we take steps to avoid them. However we fall far short of being the shravakas and shravikas of Jainism. What can we do to take steps in that direction?
When first entering the temple we should recite "Nisihi" thre times, a word literally meaning "it is abandoned". When firs entering the temple we are making a promise to Bhagavan that we will not speak of any issues not relating to the temple. Now, one can talk about the cobwebs in the temple or the cracked tiles but not about how someone's sari looks or the highlights in her hair.
Consider: Most youth know why Pratikraman is practiced, yet the reason alone is not enough to stimulate them to do it. Why not? On the surface there might appear to be no immediate gains, and the long term ones are also not readily apparent. Topics such as these shall be brought up but first, the essence of the dilemma needs to be identified. Second, possible solutions will be discussed. Third, the viability of each solution will be weighed. Finally, possible outcomes for the future will be pondered, both for the individual and for Jains as a group.
3. We say "Nisihi" a second time right before entering the
ghabara. The ghabara is where the idols preside, where w cannot enter without wearing clean and properly kept puja clothing. By saying "Nisihi" this second time we are taking vow to no longer speak or think about temple issues. Instead we now devote complete attention to Bhagavan an performing puja.
Topics could include but are not limited to:
How much do I follow the concept of Aparigraha? Do I consider violence in certain situations justified? Why or why not? Is Jainism helping or satisfying me in any way? How do I rationalize to myself things I do that I know contradict the concepts of Jainism? Would I entertain the idea of being a Jain were I not born into it?
4. We say "Nisihi" a third time upon leaving the ghabara and
begin doing bhava puja, which is chaityavandan. While doing this we no longer worry about temple issues nor eve what is going on inside the ghabara. There's a proper time and place for everything!
These four steps are the basics of temple-going. For a more detailed explanation, listen to the temple ritual audio tape lectures given by Shree Jinchandraji Maharaj (Bandhu Triputi). Or, contact Jigna at jigna@juno.com
Of course all these come under the major question, which everybody will have answered for themselves by the time the discussion is complete: Do I feel the need to be a better Jain, and if so how can I practically go about it?
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