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Indian Ethnicity and Religious Heritage
In order to comprehend properly the concept of Jainism it is ncessary to state that the expression Jainism is a subsequent innovation because in times of Mahavira and Buddha this expression was never used but to indentify it, it was known as "The Path of Nigantha". Nigantha mesns absence of knots in your thinking process. Generally in our thinking there are various types of rigidities - the rigidity of beliefs, traditions and taboos. These rigidities work as knots, the Pakrit word for which is "ganthi". Such knots prevent free thinking, logic and reason. Therefore those philosophers who were insisting that those who wanted to understand their philosophy, should come with a mind which was free from any preformed prejudices and notions, were known as "Niganthas". The expression "Jainism" was subsequently adopted to emphasize victory over passions. In view of this, one can say that a true Jain is he who is a real Nigantha.
It should be noted at this stage that Jains pay their first obeisance to "Arihanta" as 'Namo Arihantanam' meaning, I bow doen to Arihanta. The
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