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symbol, image, model, statue &c. It is also called akriti, which means literally a drawing, image, or photograph. Absent persons can be worshipped by this means. The fact of the false use of images by the common people must not be taken as a reason for ignoring the philosophical truth that the image is an important factor when its use is rightly understood. Photographs &c., of absent friends can be used as a means of respecting them. Photographs &c., can be used as a means of insulting an absent person (Guy Fawkes, for example); and so also they can be used for respecting and worshipping absent persons.
Dravya, the third method, is when you wish to respect or cognize or worship a thing or person who had not yet come into existence ; you worship the previous state of that thing or person. By paying respect to the present person or thing you can pay respect to the fucure being or thing. For instance the Indian prince Shrenika is believed to be the soul who is to be the first Arhat of the next cycle, could have been respected and worshipped by using Shrenika in that way.
Bhäva, the fourth method of knowing a thing or being or paying respect to them, is by using the actual thing or being or respecting the actual person.
So these are four ways of worshipping the Arhat. When anyone has an ideal, then he respects it ; and the idea of the ideal is much strengthened
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