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19 - JAIN SYMBOLS
(Samyag Jnän), and Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra), which together lead to liberation.
The crescent of the moon represents the region known as Moksha. This region is at the top of Lokäkäsh and is the permanent place where liberated souls reside.
The Swastika (fig 2) is a sacred symbol in Jainism. The four sides of a Swastika symbolize the four realms of existence of worldly (nonliberated) souls. The four realms are heavenly beings, human beings, Tiryancha (animals, birds, fish, and all one-sensed beings such as plants, air, fire, water, and earth and different types of insects possessing either two, three, and four senses), and hellish beings. It reminds us that worldly souls undergo a continuous cycle of birth, suffering, and death in these four realms. Hence, one should follow the true religion and be liberated from the sufferings of life and death. The Jain symbol of Om (fig 3) is the superimposed sound of five letters; a, a, a, u, and m: The first letter "a" represents Arihanta. Arihantas are human beings who have realized the true nature of the soul and have conquered worldly passions. They have eradicated all four Ghäti karma and have established the religious order.
The second letter "a" represents Ashariri. Ashariri means a soul without physical body, a liberated soul or Siddha or a perfected being. The third letter "ä" represents Ächärya. Ächäryas are ascetics who are the head of a congregation. The fourth letter “u” represents Upadhyay. Upadhyäys are ascetic teachers.
The fifth letter "m" represents Muni. Munis include all ascetics (Sädhu/Sädhvi or monks/nuns) who have been initiated (who have taken Dikshä) by taking five Mahävratas or great vows. Hence, the Om represents a salutation to the five revered personalities in the Jain religion. Om is a short form of the Namaskar Mangal, the most revered prayer of Jainism.
The outline figure looks like a person standing with feet apart and arms resting on both hips. This represents the Jain description of
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JAINISM AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
