Jaina Philosophy

SR No.: 006901
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Virchand R Gandhi, Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: World Jain Confederation
Publication Year: 2009
Total Pages: 298
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 5 MB

Page 136

CONNONMANNEN
--- Symbolism Siva, the third in the trinity is a representation of the destructive power and is represented by certain signs in Southern India. The people make signs on their foreheads representing the ideas of creation or generation. J There people think that by their material energies they will rise.
In our temples at the time of performing ceremonies, we make marks or tables of wood, marble or metal, one is of an eight-petal lotus.
Elok
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, Arhut. 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 Arhuts 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 think of other things and the mind receives help.
There are symbols of various kinds among the Persians, the Greeks and Romans. The Egyptians have the symbol of the serpent, meaning eternity and the cat meaning the moon. The Romans and Greeks had crosses also long before the crucifixion of Jesus. It must have some deeper idea connected with it. These crosses are found in all countries. The Rosicrucian have also the cross. They represent the meaning in a different way as follows:
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