Book Title: YJA Convention 1996 07 San Francisco CA
Author(s): Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA

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Page 7
________________ elimination of waste from the system. In addition, it strengthens the nervous system and awakens the reasoning faculties. Green or Blue: Similarly, these colors were also grouped as one. As representative of Namo Uvajjhayanam, the Upadhyayas, the teachers of divine knowledge, these colors symbolize truth, the power of speech, and spiritual and psychic powers. They indicate the means to a balanced body, mind, and soul. Controling prana, green and blue nourish the heart and throat and promotes general harmony of the body and mind. • Black: This color represents the Sadhus, the spiritual practitioners. Black, as the absence of color, consumes negatives. Likewise, a practitioner must destroy negatives before he can achieve success. As black absorbs negativity, it provides a "black hole" into which the practitioner can focus, mere and dissolve the self, SWASTIKA The word Swastika comes from the ancient word "Swastik," which means "may good come to you." In Jainism, the Swastika represents the cosmic cycle of births and deaths, all connected at the center of the Swastika. One can migrate from one part of the Swastika to another by passing through the middle. There are four parts to the Swastika and they are called the "Four Gatis" 1. Human (Manushya) 2. Gods (Devas) 3. Plants & Animals (Tiryanch) 4. Hell Beings (Naraki) The swastika is a constant reminder to us it break out of the cycle of births and deaths. This is represented by the symbol of Siddha Shila on top of the Swastika. Siddha Shila is the place where liberated souls go. Siddha Shila Human Gods Hell Beings Plants and Animals The three circles on top represent the three jewels. They are purposefully placed on between the Swastika and Siddha Shila to show that the three jewels are the bridge to Siddha Shila. The four petals of the Swastika represent four virtues: Charity (Daan), Virtue (Shila), Austerity (Tapa), Nobility (Samveg) Jain Education International For Private & Personal use only www.jainelibrary.org

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