There are six obligatory rules, avasyakas, for members of the mendicant order stated in the canonical texts. These duties are also recommended to the laity, but they are not obligatory. They are as follows:
1. samayika, the practice of equanimity (meditation);
2. caturvimsatistava, praise of the twenty-four Tirthankaras;
3. vandana, veneration (of the mendicant teachers);
4. pratikramana, expiation (for transgressions);
5. kayotsarga, abandonment of the body (standing or sitting motionless for various lengths of time);
6. pratyakhyana, renunciation (of certain foods, indulgences, or activities, for a specified period).
The focus of these duties is to stay tuned and in focus with ones own spirituality and to cease the craving of material things.
The svastika is a part of the Devapuja ritual. A Jain carries a plate filled with flowers, fruit, camphor, uncooked rice and incense into the temple. He is wearing only three pieces of clothing. As he approaches the main shrine he bows down, says the namaskara litany and circles the image three times. He then sits on a mat in front of the image and forms a svastika using the rice. The svastika signifies the four possible samsaric destinies. He then places three dots above the svastika signifying the "three jewels" which are true insight; right knowledge; and proper conduct. These three doctrines provide escape from the cycle of bondage which is represented by the svastika. Finally, a small crescent with a dot mounted upon it is placed at the very top, suggesting the uppermost portion of the universe with the liberated soul within its edge. (1)