 SWASTIKA TOMBSTONE IMAGE
RADIATION FROM HUMAN HAND |
The outline of the symbol is defined as
the universe (Lok). The lower part of the symbol represents the seven hells (Naraki). The
middle part of the universe contains the Earth and the planets (Manushyalok). The upper
part contains the heavenly abodes (Devlok) of all the celestial beings and abode of the
Siddhas (Siddhashila). Jains believe that this universe was neither created by anyone, nor
can it be destroyed by anyone. It may change its form, but otherwise, it has always been
and will always be here. The raised hand means
stop. The word in the center of the wheel is "Ahimsa". Ahimsa means
non-violence. Between these two, they remind us to stop for a minute and think twice
before doing anything. This gives us a chance to scrutinize our activities to be sure that
they will not hurt anyone by our words, thoughts, or actions. We are also not supposed to
ask or encourage others to take part in any harmful activity. The wheel in the hand shows
that if we are not careful and ignore these warnings and carry on violent activities, then
just as the wheel goes round and round, we will go round and round through the cycles of
birth and death.
The four arms of the swastika remind us that during
the cycles of birth and death we may be born into any one of the four destinies: heavenly
beings, human beings, animal beings, (including birds, bugs, and plants) and hellish
beings. Our aim should be the liberation and not the rebirth. To show how we can do this,
the swastika reminds us that we should become the pillars of the four fold Jain Sangh,
then only can we achieve liberation. The four pillars of the Jain Sangh are sädhus,
sädhvis, shrävaks, and shrävikäs. This means that first, we should strive to be a true
shrävaks or shrävikäs, and when we can overcome our social attachments, we should
renounce the worldly life and follow the path of a sädhu or sädhvi to be liberated.
The three dots above the swastika represent the three
jewels of Jainism: Samyak Darshan (Right Faith), Samyak Jnan (Right Knowledge), and Samyak
Charitra (Right Conduct). We should have all three: right knowledge, right faith, and
right conduct together, then only can we achieve the liberation. The right knowledge means
having the knowledge that soul and body are separate and that the soul, not the body
attains the salvation. The right faith means one must have faith in what is told by Jinas,
who were omniscient. The right conduct means that our actions should be void of attachment
and hatred.
At the very top part of the Jain Universe symbol is a small curved
arc. This arc represents the abode of the Siddhas. It is known as the Siddhashila. It
is the final resting place of the liberated souls. The dot represents a siddha. In
order to achieve this stage, a soul must destroy all attached karmas. Every living being
should strive for this state of the Salvation or Liberation. |