First Steps to Jainism Part 1

SR No.: 001640
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sancheti Asso Lal, Manakmal Bhandari
Publisher: Sancheti Trust Jodhpur
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 300
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Education
File Size: 10 MB

Page 94

80 First Steps to Jainism
(ii) Namo Siddhanam-I bow to the Siddhas-the bodiless liberated souls.
iii) Namo Ayariyanam-I bow to the Acharyas, the Heads of the order. (iv) Namo Uvazzayanam-I bow to the Upadhyays-the head teacher
saints (v) Namo loye Sav Sahunam - I bow to all the saints in the universe.
7. One cannot fail to be struck by the catholicity or universality and the impersonal tone of the above incantation or Mantra. The worship is given to all souls worthy of veneration throughout the universe-the Loka. It is irrespective of any distinction of caste or creed or time or clime. Only the aggregate of the qualities is worshipped rather than any individual A or B. Whosoever satisfies the qualifications be a saint (or any of the five worships) is worshipped whether he is a Christian or a Buddhist, an Indian or Chinese (or even belonging to any of the galaxies in outer space).
8. We can briefly describe each of these five worships as under:
(a) Arihantas-Literally the word ari means enemies and hanta means
destroyer, and therefore, arihanta is destroyer of enemies. But these enemies are not external enemies, but the internal enemies of the soul- the four passions- anger, pride, deceit and greed which give rise to Karma bondage. Those living beings who have destroyed these internal enemies completely and are free from the Karma. bondage of the major types are called arihantas. This is the highest stage a living being can reach with body. These arihantas possess perfect vision, perfect knowledge and perfect conduct. Their very presence spreads peace and prosperity all round. They inspire veneration in all living beings. They preach and convert by their words one and all to the noble path of non-violence, self control and penance, which they propagate. Due to destruction of Karmas bondage like knowledge obstructing Karmas etc. they possess infinite knowledge (which enables a perfect knowledge of the past present and future as also of the entire universe and nonuniverse)infinite vision, infinite prowess and infinite bliss.