Page 26 - Perceptions papers

nineteenth tirthankar was Mallinath; Digambars think he was male and Shwetambars think she

was female.

Unique Features of Jainism: Jainism has many unique features, as explained as follows.

Santhara, Sallekhana, Anshan. The concept of fasting unto death, is unique to Jain tradition.

Some monks still practice it. When a person feels that he has nothing more to accomplish in life,

he fasts unto death. This is quite a painless way to die. This is not tantamount to suicide.

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Recently, one Jain monk fasted for six months, living only on boiled water. He is the 12 person
in recorded history to do so.

Fundamental Prayer Namokar Mantra and Annual Prayer: Jainism’s fundamental prayer

Namokar Mantra means bowing down to five great souls called Panch Parmesti, and emulate

their examples. There is no mention of God, and this prayer does not ask for any material things.

There are many other Jain prayers. Even Jainism’s annual prayer Samvatsari or Pratikraman is

unique in the sense that it repeatedly asks for forgiveness from all living creatures who they may

harmed, by thought, word, action.

What does Swastika mean? The three dots represent Jainism’s path of liberation, viz., right

knowledge, right faith and right conduct. The region above the crescent represents Moksha or

Siddhashila where liberated souls reside. The four sides of Swastika represent four forms of

existence, viz. heavenly beings, human beings, animals, birds, insects, plants, and fourthly

hellish beings. Below swastika is the palm of a hand with a circle saying Ahimsa, underscoring

that before doing any violence, stop and think. The 24 spokes in the wheel represent 24

tirthankaras, Jain prophets.

Compassion for All Living Beings: Ahimsa or nonviolence is not only non-killing, it also

means that one's attitude must be of amity and peace. Ahimsa is amity. There are countless

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