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APPENDIX
2. 108 Attributes of the Five Supreme Beings
Jains respect and worship the qualities of five very worthy personalities and they are known as Pancha Paramesthi, namely, Arihanta, Siddha, Ächärya, Upädhyäy, and Sädhu and Sädhvis (all ascetics). Jains do not worship them by name, but they worship their qualities and virtues known as attributes. There are a total of 108 attributes of the five supreme beings. Both Shvetämbar and Digambar traditions define 108 attributes, but there are some differences. The Jain Mälä or rosary has 108 beads, which signify the 108 attributes of the five supreme beings. The 108 attributes are as follows:
Pancha Paramesthi Arihanta or Tirthankar
•
Siddha
Ächärya
Upädhyäy Sädhu
Total
Arihanta or Tirthankar
Arihantas have 12 unique characteristics as follows:
• The four main attributes are known as Atishaya.
The other eight attributes are endowed by heavenly beings at the time of Keval-jnän and are known as Pratihärya.
Four Main Attributes or Four Atishaya
Vachanä
Atishaya
Number of Attributes
12
8
36
25
27
108
Jnän Atishaya
Pujä Atishaya
82
A Tirthankar delivers an extraordinary sermon.
The sermon delivered by a Tirthankar is well understood by all human beings, animals, and heavenly beings in their respective languages.
A Tirthankar is worshipped by all mundane souls of the whole universe.
Apäyäpgamä No calamities or diseases are present in the vicinity Atishaya of a Tirthankar.
Note Some Jain literature indicates that Infinite Knowledge, Infinite Perception, Perfect Conduct, and Infinite Energy (the four Anant Chatushtay) are the four main attributes rather than above mentioned four Atishaya.
ENGLISH PRATIKRAMAN
