Pujas.Com

 
Search:

HOME / SITE MAP

   
Introduction
Basic Belief
History

Worship

Holy Days
Subdivision
Books And Articles
Temples
 
Discussion/Experiences
Contact Us

E
ssence of Jainism
Lecture series

J
ain Pooja

Interviews

Jain matrimonials online

Jainism Books
 
 

worship...


 

Namo ariha.ntaaNaM
Namo siddhaaNaM
Namo aayariyaaNaM
Namo uvajjhaayaaNaM
Namo loe savvasaahuNaM

eso pa.ncha Namokaaro
savva paavapaNaasaNo
ma.ngalaaNaM cha savvesim
paDhamaM hava{ii} ma.ngalaM

 

  Jainism Worship ...
 

 

The motive and purpose of Jain worship is very different from worship in many other religions - in fact it would seem that Jain principles make worship both unnecessary and futile.

"What does it mean to worship beings that one believes are completely indifferent to, and entirely beyond the reach, of any form of worship whatsoever?" Lawrence A Babb

Jains don't worship to please gods, or in the hope of getting something from gods in return. But nevertheless, Jains do worship.

At a superficial level Jain temple worship seems to contain elements similar to worship in Hindu temples. This is the result of the cultural influence of other Indian religions on the Jain community, and not a reflection of the Jain philosophy.

A key difference between Jain and Hindu worship, which seems similar on the surface, is that although Jains appear to worship the tirthankaras in particular they don't worship them as persons: what they worship is the ideal of perfection that the tirthankaras have achieved.

* The purpose of Jain worship

Jain worship provides the individual with a discipline that helps them concentrate on the Jain ideals, and cultivate detachment.

The worshipper concentrates on the virtues of the tirthankaras and other pure souls, in order to help them follow their example.

So for Jains worship is only a means to an end and not a spiritual end in itself. And worship is not a sufficient means to that end.

 

"Some religions preach that an individual can be saved by devotion to God, the saviour, or to God's incarnations and intermediaries. Jainism teaches that we can attain true peace and happiness only through behaving and thinking rightly." Acharya Kundakunda

 

 

 

Jain prayers

"NAMOKÄR MANTRA" is the prayer that shows our respect for those souls who are liberated..


Worship Practices


Jains recognise that there is no real place for Bhakti (devotion) or Pooja (worship)


Temples In Jain Philosophy


According to Jain philosophy, no god or any divine power has created the universe and is ruling over it