YJA Convention 2002 07 NJ Fifth

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

Page 49

In Temple, In Style
Chandrakant Mehta
Our discussion will cover the following key items.
This is a thought-provoking seminar for everyone. The
central idea of the discussion is, "What are you supposed to do when you go to the Jain temple?" Most people know the mechanical process, the rituals, but do not know the spiritual meaning. The rituals are the tools to invoke the right spiritual meaning. Any ritual we perform must touch our heart and impact our mind. In understanding religion, Heart is more important than mind. Faith is more important than logic.
Some do's and don'ts of entering the temple. How to do a prayer? What mantra should one recite? How to do Khamasamano? What is Chaitya Vandan? What is the purpose of 'Aarti' and 'Mangal Divo'? Why and how do we do Swastik? Why rice is used in Swastik? Why do we ring bell? Why do we do tilak on the forehead?
This seminar will discuss the rituals of what one should do in the temple? The answer is not simple because there is no fixed procedure; however, there are general guidelines that one must follow.
When you enter the temple you don't see one ritual. People in the temple do different things. For example, somebody is doing idol puja, somebody is doing chaitya vandan, someone prays quietly, someone does Navakarvali or Stuti and someone recites 'bhakti-geet' or stavan. It is not easy to focus when several things going on at the same time.
These and many other questions will be discussed. Namokar-mantra and a few common prayers will be recited by all together and the spiritual meaning will be explained. The emphasis will be to put in practice in real life.
notes:
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