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CHAPTER 1 NAMOKAR MANTRA JAINA CONCEPT OF PRAYER
णमो अरिहंताणं णमो सिद्धाणं णमो आयरियाणं णमो उवज्झायाणं णमो लोए सव्व साहणं
Namo Arihantanam Namo Sidhhanam Namo Ayariyanam
Namo Uvariyanam Namo loe Savva Sahunam
Question: What is Namokar Mantra? Answer: Namokar Mantra is a prayer of virtues. By reciting Namokar Mantra, we worship Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya and Sadhu. They are known as "Panch Parmesthi". Question: what should be our feelings whiule reciting Namokar Mantra? Answer: while reciting Namokar Mantra our wish should be to attain their virtues. Continuous reflection of Namokar Mantra inspires and reminds us to achieve those virtues. Question: Who are Arihantas? Answer: Arihantas are perfect souls with body having infinite cognition, knowledge, bliss and power. Question: who are Siddhas? Answer: Siddhas are perfect bodiless souls, free from all karmic bondage. Although Siddhas are spiritually higher than Arihantas, we pray Arihantas first because they preach the religious order for wellbeing of all. Both Arihantas and Siddhas are known as "Jinas" Question: Who is an Acharya? Answer: An Acharya is a head monk of the group of monks. Question: Who is Upadhyaya? Answer: An Upadhyaya is a teacher monk of the group of monks. Question: Who is Sadhu?
