YJA Convention 2002 07 NJ Fifth

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

Page 77

The Point of Rituals and Prayers
Arvind Bhandari
ain rituals and prayers are a focal point for all Priyodhbhav Sanskar: This ritual takes place after
worshipers. Primary goal of daily rituals is these are birth of a child. Ten days of cleansing or Sutak are worships with the deep concentration and pure thoughts observed after delivery; in the temple the priest free of violence and harm disperse the accumulated recites mantras and receives offerings on behalf of karmas from the soul.
the newborn.
Namkaran Sanskar: You will learn where the names Some guidelines that Jains follow include:
of boys and girls are selected from. Worship before the Jina murtis Bowing before the murtis
The marriage rituals include nine rituals that are Lighting a devo in front of murtis.
preformed on the same day. Jain marriages are
simple ceremonies without flaunting of wealth. Puja is a regular daily ritual done in the derasar. There These rituals range from the confirmation of the date are three major types of puja:
and time of the marriage to setting the engagement Snatra Puja: This ritual includes the bathing of the murti/ to the actual vows taken on the day of the marriage. image is symbolic to the bathing of the newborn tirthanakara by the celestial beings.
Last but not least there are death rituals However Panch Kalyanak Puja: This puja commemorates the five you would assume death to be a time to be sad and great events of the Tirthankara's life: conception, birth, somber however Jains believe that the dead should renunciation, omniscience and moksa.
would be reborn immediately. So them death is a Antaraya Karma Puja: This puja comprises a series of festival or Mahotsav. prayers to remove those karmas, which obstruct the spiritual uplifting power of the soul.
This is just a small overview of rituals and prayers
associated with Jainism. Let this session be a There are also rituals associated with milestones in a window to the beginning of how complex yet layperson's life.
methodical our religion is. There are birth rituals that include:
notes:
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