YJA Convention 2002 07 NJ Fifth

Author(s): Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA

Page 74

Namakar Mahamantra
Houston Youth Group
Namokar Mantra is the most important path then he or she will proceed onto becoming a Siddha,
mantra in Jainism. However many people may which is, or should be, every Jain's goal. not know the true meaning of this prayer. After studying the Namokar Mantra, the Jain Fellowship of Houston is proud to present the Namokar Mahamantra session where we hope to illustrate this mantra's deeper meaning. To start learning about this mantra we must first know its meaning:
Namo Arihantaanam Namo Siddhaanam
Namo Ayariyaanam
Namo Uvajjhaayaanam
Namo Loae Savva Saahoonam Eso Pancha Namokkaro Savva Paavappanaasano Mangalaanam Cha Savvesim Padhaman Havai Mangalam
notes:
I bow to the Arihantas.
I bow to the Siddhas.
I bow to the Acharyas
I bow to the Upadhyayas.
I bow to all the Sadhus in this world.
Bowing to these five
Is destroyer of all sins,
And among all the holy things, The first and foremost it is.
The Namokar Mantra is a timeless saying which carries the main message of Jainism. Its message states that if we want to be liberated from this world, we have to take the first step of renunciation by becoming a monk or a nun. If one continues on this
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By reciting the Namokar Mantra, we are bowing spiritual path to Moksha.■
down to the virtues that the Panch Parmesthi have practiced rather than worshiping any individual person.
sessions
People recite the Namokar Mantra at various places and times. Some Jains may recite the mantra everyday while others during tense times. The sounds that are produced by the Namokar Mantra are supposed to create positive vibrations that will keep the negative vibrations away. There have been several instances in real life and in Jain mythology in which the Namokar Mantra has helped people overcome unfavorable circumstances.
The Jain Fellowship of Houston feels that by gaining a deeper understanding of the most important mantra in Jainism, one is making an attempt to progress on the
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