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JAINA SYMBOLISM
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They make forms which represent different ideas. Very few people understand the original meaning of these marks. The mark the Jainas make on the forehead is of the form of the heart. It is made just between the two eyebrows, in the centre. Our physiology tells us there is a centre of nerves there, a plexus, which becomes a source of light, or inner sight. When we go through a course of discipline, moral and spiritual, we see many things through this centre which we cannot see by the ordinary vision. When we make that sign we mean it is through this centre we are going to have great power of light. Our object in worshping in the temple is not to acquire wealth, but to acquire that power by the aid of which we can see and know more. We want spiritual possessions. Symbol of an Eight-petaled Lotus
In our temple at the time of performing ceremonies, we make marks on tables of wood, marble or metal, one is of an eight-petaled lotus.
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5
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Jain Education International
K
We locate certain great principles or ideals in all these petals. I gave you the generic names of five great personages. The first (1) is put in the middle, Arhat. The second the liberated, at the top (2); the right of the centre (3) the master: the fourth, the religious student (4) at the bottom; the fifth, the holy man (5) at the left of the centre. In the corner petals we locate right knowledge (K), right belief (B), right conduct (C) and right energy (E).
When we have the rosary in our hand we think of the Arhats and contemplate on their peculiar qualities: then we think and contemplate on the principles and qualities of the second, and so on. When we think of these qualities, we cannot dns of other things and the mind receives help.
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