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- णमो
अरिहंताणं
- णमो
सिद्धाणं
- णमो
आयरियाणं
- णमो
उवज्झायणं
- णमो
लोए
सव्व
साहूणं
- एसो
पंच
णमोयारो,
सव्व
पावप्पणासणो
- मंगलाणं च
सव्वेसिं,
पढमं
हवइ
मंगलं
With the above invocation repeated
several times every day the
Jains bow with hands folded in
anjali (worship) in the four
cardinal directions, East, West,
South and North.
While reciting the
Navkar Mantra, we are bowing down with
respect Arihantas, Siddhas,
Acharya(heads of sadhus and sadhvis),
Upadhyaya (those who teach
scriptures to sadhus and sadhvis),
Sadhus (monks, who have
voluntarily given up social, economical
and family relationships) and
Sadhvis (nuns, who have
voluntarily given up social, economical
and family relationships). Collectively,
they are called Panch Parmesthi (five
supreme spiritual people). In this
mantra we worship their virtues rather
than worshipping any one particular
person or Tirthankara. This mantra is
also called Namaskar or Namokar
Mantra as we are bowing down.
ARIHANTAS
The word Arihanta is made up of two words:
1) Ari, meaning enemies, and 2)hanta,
meaning destroyer of the enemies. These
enemies are inner desires known as
passions such as anger, ego, deception,
and greed within us. When a person
(soul) wins over these inner enemies
he/she is called Arihanta. Arihanta
destroys the four ghati karmas namely
Jnanavarniya (knowledge blocking) Karma,
Darshanavarniya (perception blocking)
Karma, Mohniya (passion causing) Karma
and Antaraya (obstacle causing) Karma.
Arihanta attains: 1) Kevaljnan, perfect
knowledge due to the destruction of all
Jnanavarniya Karmas, 2) Kevaldarshan,
perfect perception due to the
destruction of all Darshanavarniya
karmas, 3) becomes passionless due to
the destruction of all Mohniya Karmas,
and 4) gains infinite power due to
the destruction of all Antaraya Karmas.
SIDDHAS
Siddhas
are the liberated souls. They are no
longer among us because they have
completely ended the cycle
of birth and death. They
have reached the ultimate highest
state, salvation. They do not have any
karmas, and they do not collect any new
karmas. This state of true freedom is
called Moksha.
ACHARYAS
Acharyas
carry the message of Jina. They are our
spiritual leaders. Acharyas must have
to do in-depth study and achieve mastery
of the Jain scriptures (Ägams).
In addition to acquiring a high level of
spiritual excellence, they have the
ability to lead the monks and nuns. They
know various languages with a sound
knowledge of other philosophies and
religions of the area and the world.
UPADHYAYAS
The
title Upadhyayas is given to those
Sadhus who have acquired a special
knowledge of the Ägams and
philosophical systems. They teach Jain
scriptures to sadhus and sadhvis.
SADHUS
AND SADHVIS
When
householders become detached from the
worldly aspects of life and get the
desire for spiritual uplift (and not
worldly uplift), they give up their
worldly lives and become sadhus (monk)
or sadhvis (nun). A male person is
called sadhu, and a female person is
called sadhvi. At the time of Deeksha,
the sadhu or sadhvi voluntarily accepts
to obey following five major vows for
the rest of his/her life:
1. Commitment of Total Ahimsa
(non-violence)-not to commit any type of
violence.
2. Commitment of Total Satya
(truth)-not to indulge in any type of
lie or falsehood.
3. Commitment of Total Asteya
(non-stealing)-not to take anything
unless it is given.
4. Commitment of Total
Brahmacharya (celibacy)-not to indulge
in any sensual activities
5. Commitment of Total Aparigraha
(non-possessiveness)-not to acquire more
than what is needed to maintain
day to day life.
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