Compendium of Jainism

Author(s): T K Tukol, A N Upadhye
Publisher: Prasaranga Karnatak University Dharwar

Page 84

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COMPENDIUM OF JAINISM
(1) the catholicity of the Jaina altitude. The worship and reverence are given to all human souls worthy of it, in whatever clime or country they may te. The worship is impersonal. (2) It is the aggregate of the qualities ibat is worshipped rather than any particular individual. (3) The Arhai, the living embodiment of the highest goal of Jainism, is named before the free soul who has left the world and cannot be approached by humanity which requires to see the truth before it can seek it (4) The Jaina incantation aum or Om is composed of five sounds : a, a, ā, u and m which stand respectively for artbat; asarira ("disembodied,” i. e., the Siddha); ācārya; upādhyāya and muoi-the silent or the sādhu. The prayer and worship are media ihrough which we not cnly exhibit our ideal but also develop devotion which raises us 10 a stale of ecstacy making us supremely happy in the realization of ourselves.
One thing that must be added in conclusion is that inspite of the idealistic concept of God, Jaina saints and poets have taught their followers to be tolerant of other religions. Their doctrine of Anekāntavāda is perhaps responsible for their cosmopolitan outlook as it enables him to appreciate the other's point of view. Here is a verse from the pen of a Jaina saint which says, in effect, that it is immaterial by what name you call your god as all gods possess the common qualities of purity, compassion and divinity.
विष्णुर्वा त्रिपुरान्तको भवतु वा ब्रह्मा सुरेन्द्रोऽथवा भानुर्वा शशिलांछनोऽथ भगवान् बुद्धोऽथ सिद्धोऽथवा । रागव्देषाविषाति दोषरहित : सत्वानुकम्पोध्यतो याः सर्वे : सह संस्कृतो गुणगणस्तस्मै नमः सर्वदा : ।।
. “Vişnurvā Tripurāniako Bhavatu vā Brahmâ Surendrothavā,
Bhānurvä Sasilānchanotha Bhagavān Buddhitha Siddhóthavā Rāgadveșāviņārti dosara hitaḥ satvānukampodyato, yaḥ sarvaih saha samsksto guņa gaņaistasmai namah sarvadā.” “Let me