A study of Symbols of Jain Religion which captures the Spirit (According to some selected symbols in Indian Culture)

Abstract

A symbol represents an ideaor a thing. So when person is lost and needs to find a way, he or she looks for a sing to take the correct dicision. The path of spirituality also needs signs at the initial stage to guide the traveler further on. These symbols also create trust and faith within oneself. Jainism is full of these guiding lighthouses that act as a becone for the lost ships of one's life. Some of them are Ahimsa Wheel, and the Primary jain symbol Ashtamangal, Tirthankara emblems, Yakshas and Yakshinis, Bells, Lotus, Mirror, AumHrim, Pratiharya etc. So this research will be a parth to make aware of people about the symbols of Jain religionwich capture the spirit, in Indian culture. From Intra-Textual readings, website readings and discussions within resource persons research has got lot of data about this symbols of Jain Religion. When analyzing all these facts research found large number of myths and believes wich related to this symbols of Jain Religion. Each symbol has a deeper meaningwich combining with Indian tradition and Hindus life. Specially the Jain symbol is a congregation of various symbols. Each having a deeper meaning. This symbol was adopted by all sects of Jainism while commemoration the 2500th anniversary of the nirvana of Lord Mahavir. The middle contains the Earth. The upper part contains the heavenly a bodes of celestial beings. The vaised hand means "Stop". The world ahimsa in the centre of the wheel means non-violence. Like vise there is a big variation of Symbols which represents in Jain Religions. Each Tirthankara has a symbol of their own for their unique identification. AumHrim are the beej mantras widely used in Yantras, Jaap, meditation and pooja and Tirthakaras sit on the lotus when giving sermons. It is also a symbol to depict how to love unattached in the world. However people who werchip Jain Religion in India are believe those symbols are essential to bring prosperity, happiness and good fortune for both of their day today life and spiritual life. The research will be make more and more aware of people about this variation of symbols of Jain Religion wich capture the Spirit, in Indian tradition.