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{{short description|Rituals and festivals in Jainism}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
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{{Jainism}}
'''Jain rituals''' play an everyday part in [[Jainism]]. [[Ritual]]s take place daily or more often. Rituals include obligations followed by Jains and various forms of idol worship.

Jains rituals can be separated broadly in two parts: ''Karyn'' (obligations which are followed) and ''Kriya'' (worships which are performed).<ref name=nook>{{harv|Shah|1998|pp=169}}</ref>

==Six essential duties==
In Jainism, six essential duties (''avashyakas'') are prescribed for ''[[Śrāvaka (Jainism)|śrāvakas]]'' (householders).<ref name=psja>{{harvnb|Jaini|1998|pp=188–191}}</ref><ref name=nsom>{{harvnb|Shah|1998|pp=171–173}}</ref> The six duties are:<ref>{{citation|last=Jain|first=Vijay K.|title=Acharya Umasvami's Tattvārthsūtra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zLmx9bvtglkC|year=2011|publisher=Vikalp Printers|isbn=978-81-903639-2-1|quote=Non-Copyright|page=v}}</ref>{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=242}}
#Worship of ''[[Pañca-Parameṣṭhi]]'' (five supreme beings){{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=242}}
#Following the preachings of Jain saints.{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=242}}
#Study of [[Jain scriptures]]{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=242}}
#''[[Samayika]]'': practising serenity and meditation{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=242}}
#Following discipline in their daily engagement{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=242}}
#Charity (''dāna'') of four kinds:{{sfn|Ram Bhushan Prasad Singh|2008|pp=82-83}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Sangave|first=Vilas Adinath|title=Facets of Jainology: Selected Research Papers on Jain Society, Religion, and Culture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QzEQJHWUwXQC|year=2001|publisher=Popular Prakashan|isbn=978-81-7154-839-2|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=QzEQJHWUwXQC&pg=PA157 157]}}</ref>{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=242}}
##''Ahara-dāna''- donation of food
##''Ausadha-dāna''- donation of medicine
##''Jnana-dāna''- donation of knowledge
##''Abhaya-dāna''- saving the life of a living being or giving of protection to someone under threat

These duties became fundamental ritual activities of a [[Jain]] householder. Such as spreading the [[grain]] for the [[birds]] in the morning, and [[filter (water)|filtering]] or [[boiling]] the water for the next few hours' use became ritual acts of [[Charity (virtue)|charity]] and [[non-violence]].<ref name=psja/> ''Samayika'' was used as a word for all spiritual activity including icon worship during medieval times.<ref name=psja/>

===Samayika===

Samayika is the practice of [[equanimity]], translating to [[meditation]]. It is a ritual act undertaken early in the morning and perhaps also at noon and night. It lasts for forty-eight minutes (Two [[Hindu units of measurement|Ghadi]]s) and usually involves not only quiet recollection but also usually the repetition of routine [[prayers]].
The ritual is chanting and also praying about the good things.<ref name=psja/>

===Pratikramana===

Pratikramana is performed in the night for the [[repentance]] of [[violence]] committed during the night, and in the evening for the violence during the day and additionally on certain days of the year. During this, the Jain expresses remorse for the harm caused, or wrongdoing, or the duties left undone.<ref name=psja/><ref>{{harvnb|Shah|1998|pp=174}}</ref>

==Annual and lifetime obligations==
There are eleven annual obligations for a year and some obligations for once in a life which should be completed by Jain lay person individually or in a group. They are prescribed by ''Shravak Pragyapti''.<ref name=nsoo>{{harvnb|Shah|1998|pp=173–175}}</ref>

===11 annual obligations===
They are following:<ref name="nsoo" />
# ''Deva dravya'' : Fundraising for temples
# ''Mahapuja'' : Elaborate ritual in which temples and icons decorated and sacred texts recited
# ''Ratri-jagarana'' : singing hymns and religious observance throughout night
# ''Sadharmik Bhakti'': Deep respect to fellow follower of [[Jainism]]
# ''Sangha-puja'': service to [[Sangha (Jainism)|Sangha]]
# ''Shuddhi'' : confession of faults
# ''Snatra puja'' : a ritual related to [[Panch Kalyanaka|Janma Kalyanaka]]
# ''Sutra-puja'' : veneration of scriptures
# ''Tirth prabhavana'' : promotion of Jainism. by celebrating important occasion
# ''Udyapana'' : displaying objects of worship and participant at end of religious activities
# ''Yatratnika'' or ''Yatratrik'' : Participation in religious festivals and pilgrimage to three sites

===Obligations performed at least once in a lifetime===
They are the following:<ref name="nsoo"/>
# Build a temple
# Celebrate renunciation of a family member
# Donate a [[Tirthankara]] icon to a temple
# Participate in [[Panch-kalyanak Pratishtha]]

==Worship==

''Devapuja'' means worship of [[tirthankara]]s. It is usually done in front of images of any liberated soul ([[Siddha#Siddha#Siddha in Jainism|Siddha]]) such as Tirthankara, or [[Arihant (Jainism)|Arihant]]. In Jainism, the [[Tirthankara]]s represent the true goal of all human beings.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Zimmer|first1=Heinrich|title=Philosophies Of India |year=1953|editor=Joseph Campbell|publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd |location=London |url=https://archive.org/details/Philosophy.of.India.by.Heinrich.Zimmer |isbn=978-8120807396|page=[https://archive.org/details/Philosophy.of.India.by.Heinrich.Zimmer/page/n196 182]}}</ref> Their qualities are worshipped by the Jains.

[[Sthanakavasi]] oppose idol worship. They believe in meditation and silent prayers.<ref name=psjb>{{harvnb|Jaini|1998|pp=191–196}}</ref> Jain idols are seen as a personification of ideal state which one should attain.<ref name=psjb/>

During medieval period, worship of some [[Yaksha#Yaksha and Yakshini in Jainism|Yaksha and Yakshini]], [[God in Jainism#Heavenly Beings|heavenly beings]] who are not liberated souls, started. They are believed to help a person by removing obstacles in life.<ref name=psjb/>

Elaborate forms of ritual usually done in the temple. Jains wear clean three clothes for many rituals and enter temple with words related to respect for [[Tirthankara]]. He bows down to Tirthankara at main shrine and will circumambulate him three times.<ref name=psjb/>

Jain form of worship is also called ''Jain Puja''. The worship is done in two ways:<ref name=nsap>{{harvnb|Shah|1998|pp=177–179}}</ref>
* ''Dravya puja'' (worship with materials)
* ''Bhava puja'' (Psychic worship, no need of materials)

Jains worship the God, the scripture and the saint.{{sfn|Jain|1926|p=1}}

===Dravya Puja===
''Dravya puja'' (worship with articles) includes ''Ashtaprakari Puja''(means ''eight worships'') which is done by paying homage with eight articles in prescribed way.{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=241}} It is also called ''archana'':<ref name=nsap/><ref name=psjc>{{harvnb|Jaini|1998|pp=196–203}}</ref> The following articles are used, in the Jaina Puja:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Puja !! Material used !! Purpose
|-
| ''Jala''{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=241}} || Pure water || Get rid of cycle of life and death, i.e., Moksha
|-
| ''Chandana''{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=241}} || Sandalwood diluted in water || Get rid of (metamorphic) heat of this life i.e., Moksha
|-
| ''Akshata''{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=242}} || Uncooked rice || To get something which doesn't decay i.e., Moksha
|-
| ''Pushpa''{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=241}} || Colored uncooked rice representing flowers or real flowers in some beliefs || Freedom from passions and worldly desires i.e., Moksha
|-
| ''Naivedhya''{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=242}} || Dry coconut shell or sweets in some beliefs || Freedom from greed.
|-
| ''Deepak''{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=242}} || Colored coconut shell or Lamp in some beliefs || Omniscience, to destroy the darkness of delusions.
|-
| ''Dhupa''{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=241}} || cloves, sandalwood powder or Incense stick || To get rid of karmas i.e., Moksha
|-
| ''Fala''{{sfn|Sangave|1980|p=242}} || Fruits like dry complete almond, cloves, cardamom or even green fruits in some beliefs || Liberation of soul i.e., Moksha
|-
| ''Arghya'' || Mixture of all of the above || Moksha
|}

The combination of all the eight articles is called ''arghya''. Of these, rice and coconut bits and almonds are to be washed and then all the articles are to be placed in a plate side by side, excepting water which is to be kept in a small pot separately. There should be provided a bowl for the pouring of water, another for the burning of incense, and a receptacle for lighting camphor.{{sfn|Jain|1926|p=Introduction}}

After that some Jains also use ''Chamara'' (Whisk), ''Darpana'' (Mirror) and a ''Pankho'' ([[Hand fan]]) also for worship.<ref name=nsap/>

===Bhava Puja===
[[File:Aarti close up.jpg|thumb|An aarti plate.]]
''Bhava puja''(means Psychic worship) is done by ritual called ''Chaitya Vandana''. It includes number of prayers and rituals done in prescribed manner and positions.<ref>{{harvnb|Shah|1998|p=179}}</ref>

===Aarti and Mangal Deevo===
''[[Aarti]]'' and ''Mangal Deevo'' is a lamp ritual waving it in rotational manner in front of icons same as [[Hindu]] traditions. Lamps represent knowledge. It is performed everynight at all [[Jain temple]]s.<ref>{{harvnb|Shah|1998|p=181}}</ref>

===Other forms===
Many other forms of worships are mainly performed on special occasions.<ref name=nsdg>{{harvnb|Shah|1998|pp=181–185}}</ref>
Some forms of worships have close relationship with these five auspicious life events of [[Tirthankara]] called [[Panch Kalyanaka]].<ref name=psjc/>
# '''Anjana Shalaka''': It is a ceremony to install new [[Tirthankara]] icon. An [[Acharya#In Jainism|Acharya]] recite ''mantra''s related to [[Panch Kalyanaka]] followed by applying special paste to eyes of [[Tirthankara]] icon. After this an icon becomes object of worship.
# '''[[Panch-kalyanak Pratishtha|Panch Kalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsava]]:''' When a new [[Jain Temple]] is erected, these Five Auspicious Life Events are celebrated known as ''Panch Kalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsava''. After these an icons of [[Tirthankara]] gets a status of real [[Tirthankara]] which can be worshipped by Jains.<ref name=psjc/>
# '''Panch Kalyanak Puja''':This ritual solemnizes all five Kalyanaka. It was narrated by Pandit Virvijay.<ref name=psjc/>
# '''Snatra Puja''': Snatra Puja is a ritual related to birth of [[Tirthankara]] are bathed symbolising [[Indra#In Buddhism, Jainism, Taoism and Bali|Indra]] doing [[Abhisheka]] on [[Tirthankara]] on [[Mount Meru]] after birth of [[Tirthankara]]. It performed before many other rituals and before starting of new enterprises, birthdays.<ref name=psjc/>

Others are:<ref name=nsdg/>
# '''Adhara Abhisheka'''(18 [[Abhisheka]]: It is temple purification ceremony. 18 urns of different pure water, herbs etc. used to clean all icons for purification. It is performed periodically.
[[File:Preparation for Adhara Abhisheka.jpg|thumb|Preparation for Adhara Abhisheka in a [[Śvetāmbara]] Jain Temple]]
# '''Antaraya Karma Puja''': It comprises a series of prayers to remove those [[karmas]] which obstruct the spiritual uplifting power of the soul.
# '''Arihanta Mahapujan''': paying respect to the [[Arihant (Jainism)|arihants]].
# '''Aththai Mahotsava''': It is religious celebration in which various religious activities are performed including some ''pujan''s for eight days.
# '''Shanti Snatra Puja''': It is performed in intention of universal peace. It is related to Tirthankara [[Shantinath]].
# '''[[Siddha-chakra]] Puja''':It is a ritual focused on the [[Siddha-chakra]], a lotus-shaped disc bearing representations of the arhat, the liberated [[soul]], [[religious]] [[teacher]], religious leader and the [[monk]] (the five praiseworthy beings), as well as the four qualities namely perception, knowledge, conduct and [[austerity]] to uplift the [[soul]].

==Observances==
Both the [[Digambara]] and [[Śvetāmbara]] celebrates eight-day observance (''ashtahnika'') thrice every year.{{sfn|Cort|2010|p=85}} It takes place every four months, from the eighth of bright half of the months of Ashadha (June–July), Karttika (October–November), and Phalguna (February–March) through the full moon and is in direct imitation of the eight day celebrations of ''Nandishvara Dvipa'' by the god.{{sfn|Cort|2010|p=85-86}}

==See also==
* [[God in Jainism]]
* [[Kshamavani]]
* [[Jain cosmology]]
* [[History of Jainism]]

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist|20em}}

===Sources===
* {{citation |last=Cort |first=John |author-link=John E. Cort |title=Framing the Jina: Narratives of Icons and Idols in Jain History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0IF2CAAAQBAJ |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |date=2010 |orig-year=1953 |isbn=978-0-19-538502-1 }}
* {{citation|last1=Jain|first1=Champat Rai|author-link=Champat Rai Jain|title=The Jaina Puja|date=1926|publisher=The Vira Office| url=https://archive.org/details/JainPuja|location=[[Bijnor]]}}
* {{citation |last=Jaini |first=Padmanabh S. |author-link=Padmanabh Jaini |title=The Jaina Path of Purification |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wE6v6ahxHi8C |date=1998 |orig-year=1979 |publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]] |location=[[Delhi]] |isbn=81-208-1578-5 }}
* {{citation |last=Sangave |first=Vilas Adinath |author-link=Vilas Adinath Sangave |title=Jain Community: A Social Survey |url={{Google books|FWdWrRGV_t8C|plainurl=yes}} |date=1980 |publisher=[[Popular Prakashan]] |location=Bombay |edition=2nd |isbn=978-0-317-12346-3 }}
* {{Citation |last=Shah |first=Natubhai |title=Jainism: The World of Conquerors |volume=1 |publisher=Sussex Academic Press |isbn=9781898723301 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EmVzvUzbwegC&pg=PA169 |date=1998 }}
* {{citation |last=Singh |first=Ram Bhushan Prasad |title=Jainism in Early Medieval Karnataka |url={{Google books|JtWGm4E4qZIC|plainurl=yes}} |year=2008 |orig-year=1975 |publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]] |isbn=978-81-208-3323-4 |ref={{sfnref|Ram Bhushan Prasad Singh|2008}} }}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}

{{Jainism topics}}

[[Category:Religious rituals]]
[[Category:Jain practices|Rituals]]

Jain rituals - Revision history

Shubha at 05:33, 18 November 2025