Here is a simple overview of Jain rituals and their meanings.

• Puja (worship) of Tirthankaras and Arihant:

- What it is: Offering reverence to the Tirthankaras (the liberated teachers) and seeking their guidance. - Meaning: Remembrance of the enlightened state, inspiring inner discipline, humility, and non-violence. It reminds us to follow the path of right conduct and spiritual purification.

• Guru-pujā (reverence for the guru or spiritual teacher):

- What it is: Paying respect to one’s spiritual teacher. - Meaning: Gratitude for the guidance that helps a seeker progress on the Jain path, and strengthening the bond with the tradition.

• Samayik (meditation for a fixed period, usually daily):

- What it is: Quiet, seated meditation with focus on right faith, knowledge, and conduct; sometimes includes reading or recitation. - Meaning: Calms the mind, reinforces ethical living, and helps cultivate detachment from harmful thoughts and actions.

• Pratikraman (confession and repentance):

- What it is: Reflecting on one’s thoughts, words, and deeds; resolving to avoid non-harmful actions in the future. - Meaning: Cleansing of karmic impurities, renewing commitment to non-violence, truth, and non-stealing; fostering self-discipline.

• Chaturmas or seasonal observances:

- What it is: A period of stricter practice and study during the rainy season (widely observed by many Jains). - Meaning: Deepened spiritual practice, study of Jain scriptures, and restraint to reduce harm and violence.

• Fasting (upvas) and vows:

- What it is: Temporary or periodic fasting or observing stricter vows. - Meaning: Reducing attachment to bodily comforts, cultivating self-control, and purifying mind and conduct.

• Pooja of symbols or images (upāsanā) and stotras:

- What it is: Recitation of mantras, stotras, or devotional verses; offering flowers, water, or lamps in some traditions. - Meaning: Focused remembrance of the divine qualities of Arihants and revered beings, nurturing reverence and moral resolve.

• Nav-Tirath or Tirtha-pujā (pilgrimage or visiting sacred places):

- What it is: Visiting important spiritual sites or temples; sometimes part of a communal or personal ritual. - Meaning: Reinforcement of faith and inspiration from historic moments of spiritual accomplishment; reminder of the Jain ideal.

• Sallekhana (fasting unto death) in rare, highly advanced cases:

- What it is: A voluntary, gradual reduction of intake to approach a calm end; traditionally undertaken only in specific circumstances with proper guidance. - Meaning: A final, voluntary renunciation of life to end worldly attachments when one’s aims are clear and health allows for it; not a casual practice.

• Rituals around festivals and life events:

- What it is: Special observances during major Jain festivals (like Mahavir Jayanti) and rites around births, naming, and death. - Meaning: Community reflection on ethical living, gratitude to the spiritual teachers, and renewed commitment to ahimsa (non-violence), anekantavada (many-sidedness), and aparigraha (non-attachment).

Notes on differences:

• Digambar and Shwetambar traditions may emphasize slightly different practices or wording in ceremonies, mantras, and the emphasis on certain vows or ascetic details.
• The core aim in both streams is consistent: purifying mind and conduct, reducing harm to all beings, and moving toward liberation (moksha).

If you’d like, I can share short, authentic verses or mantras commonly used in these rituals and explain their meanings in detail.