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The Jaina Philosophy
keeps the breath in the mouth for a time and, therefore, is the symbol of the preservative principle. The letter M, stops the breath for a time and lets it out through a different channel the nostrils, and symbolizes destruction and regeneration. Instead of dividing this symbol into three letters we Jainas divide it into five: A, A, A, U, M.
Of these five letters, four are vowels, the fifth being a consonant. The whole combination is sounded OM. These five letters are the first letters of five generic names of great personages. The first letter A, is the first letter of Arhut, the highest and perfected prophet, the living human being in the perfected state. While living in this world he acts as the spiritual master of his order. The second letter is the first syllable of another generic word. It signifies bodiless, liberated souls. While the Arhut is living, acting as spiritual master, these are liberated beings after human existence. (Not earth-bound spirits). These are liberated souls. The third is the first letter of a class of religious masters who do not stand on as high a level as the others, but are leaders of an order who may reach a higher state. The fourth is the first letter of the class who are disciples, students under religious masters, who are going to reach that higher state. The fifth is the first letter of the class which means holy men or holy women. It is sounded OM. When we sound that word we bring before our minds these five classes of beings. We attach spiritual meanings to this symbol, while the Brahmins attach physical energies. If we keep the holy men and women in our minds, then we will rise step by step.
These five personages have peculiar virtues and characteristics. The first has 12, the second 8 qualities, the third 36, the fourth 25, the fifth 27. If you find the first 12 in a human being, then he is an Arhut. If you find the fourth 25 he is of the fourth class, and so on. If he has the fifth 27, then he belongs to the class of holy men and women. All these qualities put together make 108.
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