Number 5 in Jainism
Jains started using the open palm as a symbol in 1975. It may have the word "ahimsa" written in it. Ahimsa means non-violence.
Jainism is an ancient religion from India. A Jain is a follower of the 24 Jinas (conquerors), who have shown the way to salvation. The 24 Jinas, the enlightened ascetics, are known as the tirthankaras.
The latest of the 24 Jinas was Vardhamana, known as Mahavira (Great Hero). He lived from 599 to 527 BC.
Jainism is a strictly non-violent religion. According to the Jains every living soul is potentially divine. Humans, animals, insects and so on are all in the cycle of reincarnation. The Jains are vegetarians.
Jains believe in karma and reincarnation, but do not believe in a creator god. They believe liberation must be achieved by individuals through their own efforts.
There are about four million Jains in India. They are among the wealthiest in India. Many hospitals, schools and businesses are run by Jains.
Jain monks are called Sadu and Jain nuns are called Sadhvi.
The monks and nuns wear white robes, with the exception of the monks of the Digambara Jains, who are naked practicing complete detachment from all things.
There are two main groups of Jains,
the Shvetambara and the Digambara.
The Jain monks and nuns follow
the Five Great Vows,
known as The Mahavratas.
The Five Great Vows
The Five Lesser Vows (Lay people)
Ahimsa
non-violence, cause no harm to any living being
Ahimsa
try to avoid destruction of living-beings, not do work that involves deliberate destruction of life
Satya
speaking the truth
Satya
truthfulness
Asetya
not taking anything that is not given to them by the owner
Asteya
not fall for temptations, for example tax-avoidance
Brahmacharya
complete abstinence from sex
Brahmacharya
only engage in sex within the marriage
Aparigraha
detachment from places, persons and things
Aparigraha
give to religious needs
On the path to complete liberation, the Jains have what they call the Five Supreme Beings.
The Five Supreme Beings are:
Arhats
"the Worthy Ones", the Great Teachers, Tirthankaras
Siddhas
liberated souls
Acharyas
spiritual teachers who lead the monks and nuns
Upadhyayes
teachers who instruct the monks and nuns in the Jain scriptures
Sadhu and Sadhvi
monks and nuns
The Five colors of the Jain Flag. The Jain flag has five colors. Each of the colors symbolizes one of the Five Supreme B eings.
Arhats – white
Siddhas – red
Acharyas – orange
Upadhyayes – green
Sadu and Sadhvi – black or dark blue
The fylfot (swastika) is one of the holiest symbols in Jainism. It is a symbol of the seventh Jina. The three dots above symbolize Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct
