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19 - JAIN SYMBOLS
the shape of the universe. The text underneath the symbol, "Parasparopagraho Jivänäm” translates as “Living beings render service to one another." This represents the Jain concept of compassionate living. The overall symbol depicts the belief that living beings of all the three worlds; heaven, hell, and earth, suffer from the miseries of trans-migratory existence. They can follow the path of true religion, which is Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct as expounded by the Tirthankaras. This will bring auspiciousness to them, minimize suffering, and help them to obtain perfection, after which they live in a blissful state forever.
Jain communities at large adopted the comprehensive Jain symbol (fig 2) during the 2500th Nirvana celebration of Lord Mahävir in 1974. The Federation of JAINA symbol (fig 3) replaces the Swastika with Om because the Swastika is not viewed as a pious religious symbol by the Western world.
He who feels all beings to be like himself and who has stopped all the doors of the Karmic influx, such a self-restrained person does not suffer the bondage of sinful deeds.
JAINISM AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
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