________________
34
Glimpses of World Religions
The Jain Dharma emphasizes virtues like non-violence, nonhoarding, non-attachment and relativism (Anekantavad) or manysidedness of truth. Anekantavad is a great gift from Jainism to the world. To a person following the path of truth, there is no place for dogmatism. Truth has many aspects whereas in dogmatism, there is psychological or intellectual violence and compulsion; in Anekanta, tolerance and equanimity of feelings are found. Jainism champions the cause of and appeals for, such a life-style as inculcates a mentality of cherishing equal treatment to each and every living being. Sacrifice, non-attachment, renunciation and indifference to worldly life : these have accorded a place of pride to this ideology, i.e. Jain Dharma. The welfare of the whole society, happiness of the general masses and a spirit of universal friendship are implied in the Jain religion. The highly auspicious holy Mantra of Jain Dharma
The Navkar Maha Mantra
Namo Arihantanam Namo Siddhanam Namo Ayariyanam
Namo Uvajzayanam
Namo Loe Savvasahoonam Eso Panch Namukkaro, Savvapavappanasano Mangalanam cha savvesim Padham Havai Manglam
These five Namaskaras or salutations which are addressed to Panch Parameshthi (or five unity) destroy all the sins and are the best and first of all the auspicious Mantras.
In the first step of Navkar Mantra, we bow to that Arihant God who is constantly showing or directing us the path of the happiness of the soul after having acquired Keval or only perfect
