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Jain Society of Metropolitan
Washington |
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Sun Mar 10 2002 Today I visited the Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington. I actually passed this particular Temple 3 times and visited a Muslin Mosque before, turning into and visiting the correct address. The most confusing is that it is on a residential highway, and the Temple / Community center is a converted house. The location was great though as I approached the building there was a large green field that expanded beyond the Temple. There was also two doors not sure which one to enter, (at the Mosque there were doors for women and doors for men), I ask the first person leaving. She directed me to the side door which led into a greeting hall with shelves to keep your shoes and rugs to wipe your feet on. It seems that I had just missed a flurry of Children activities. Yet, there was a couple that gave me a tour and answered every question I had. First they showed me around the community hall. It had pictures of there 24th Tirthankaras, the prince Mahavira. As well as pictures of his mother prior to his birth having 14 dreams that held pictures of lions, elephants the sun and moon. It was stated to me that these symbols represent things like strength, wisdom and knowledge. It was confusing because I thought that they didn't worship God. Petrie explained that they recognize god, be it Christ or other deities but, do not pray directly to them. They aspire to obtain there qualities so that they may reach nirvana or moksha. I had ask about the samsara and how you could escape this if you could not remember your past lives. Anjali explained that you don't remember it but, if in this life you are having a hard time it means that you have done so before. I had ask about getting out of it. If you see that happening and if you worked to make it better do you automatically get it new. They stated that no, but it gets better the more you try until you off set the bad karma and then get a chance at a good life. I ask about getting all good Karma, Petrie said that you want to be like Yin and Yang a perfect balance. If you have to much good karma you want reach liberation either. Because your concentrating on being or doing good. We then went to the actual Temple or Prayer Hall. Since no one was there we could talk but, normally it is silent. They showed me pictures on the wall of the Great temples in India and how it has Nine smaller ones surrounding it the art work and carving it took was awesome. They then turned my attention to the Tirthankaras. There was three to adorned with silver and gold head pieces and one plain simple with eyes closed. They said that all the Tirthankaras all looked the same so you don't have to wonder which one is which. The reason that the one is simple is to represent those Jains that are orthodox or aparigraha. Also Petrie noted that the eyes were closed to symbolize the temple is within thy self. I ask about poojas and they said that people do them usually during funerals and such that there is only one prayer that all Jains know and that it is not a religion that you have to come to the temple to worship all the time, there strict diet was mentioned and I ask about the face coverings to keep from breathing. It was explained that it is at the certain levels of your spiritual place to do such. And that it was also a reminder of watch what you say before you say it. I feel that this is the friendliest and most out going, "ready to explain" religion I've encountered thus far. The Jain symbol was explained more in depth and quietly stated the major point that Jainism is a way of life more than a religion. |
| Created by Laura Ellen Shulman |
Last updated: April 2002
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