Questions & Answers on jainism

Q1. Chant the Namokara mantra.
Ans. Namo Arihantanam, Namo Siddhanam, Namo Ayariyanam, Namo Uvajjhayanam, Namo Loe Savva Sahunam.
Q2, What is the meaning of the Namokara Mantra?

Ans. Salutations to all the Arihantas( Ford founder), Salutation to all the Siddhas( Liberated, The Accomplished). Salutations to all the Acharyas( Pontiffs), Salutations to all Upadhyayas, (Perceptors), Salutation to all Digamber Jain monks of the world.

Q3. What do you know about the Namokara Mantra.
Ans. A mantra in which one salutes or pays regards to the five supreme souls (Panch Parmestis) is called the Namokara Mantra.
Q4. How many clauses (pads) are there in the Namokara Mantra?
Ans. There are 5 clauses in the Namokara Mantra.
Q5. How many letters are there in the Namokara Mantra? (according to Devnagri script)
Ans. There are 35 letter in the Namokara Mantra = 7+5+7+7+9 = 35
Q6. How many short vowels are there in the Namokara Mantra?
Ans. There are 58 short vowels in he Namokara Mantra according t Devnagri script.
Q7. What is the importance of this mantra.
Ans. Aiso panch namoyaro, Savya pavappanasano, Mangalanam cha Savvesim, Padhaman havai mangalam.
Q8. What is parmesthi (Supremely adored being)
Ans. One who attains any of the highest ranks of purified or purifying souls is known as parmesthi.
Q9. What is the number of the parmesthis?
Ans. There are five paramesthis namely: 1.)Arhanta, 2) Siddha, 3) Acharya, 4) Upadhyaya, 5) Sadhu (saint).
Q10. Who is an Arahant parmesthi?
Ans. An Arahant parmesthi is one whose four destructive (ghatiua)karmas have been destroyed (dissociated). He is devoid of attachment and is the omniscient. But he has a corporeal soul.
Q11. Who is a Siddha parmesthi?
Ans. One who has no concern with the birth and the death and is away from the kadrnas is known as Siddha parmesthi. Siddha has an incoporeal soul.
Q12.Where does a Siddha parmesthi dwell?
Ans. A Siddha parmesthi dwells in the upper most part if this universe known as siddhasila.
Q13. Who is an Acharya parmesthi?
Ans. An Acharya parmesthi is one who himself follows the rules of code of conduct and makes other follow the same. Besides, he imparts education of conduct and preaches the disciples and the followers.
Q14. Who is an Upadhyaya paramesthi?
Ans. An Upadhya paramesthi is one who (is both a reader and a teacher) reads himself and teaches his disciples. Besides he himself follows the rules of code and conduct .
Q15. Who is a saint (sadhu) paramesthi?

Ans. One who is dispossessed of all the things, who has abandoned or forsaken all the five misdeeds (i.e. violence, lie, stealing, non chastity and holdings) who is away from violence committed at the time of cooking (Arambha) & who is concentrated in knowledge, meditation & penance is known as saint(sadhu) paramesthi.

THE FOUR MANGALS

Q1. Chant the Manfala clauses.
Ans. Chattari Mangalam, Arahanta Mangalam, Siddha Mangalam, Sahu Mangalam.
Q2 Chant the Loguttama Clause.
Ans Chattari Loguttama, Arahanta Loguttama, Siddha Loguttama, Sahu Loguttama, Kevalipannatto Dhammo Loguttamo.
Q3. Chant the Saranam clause.
Ans. Chattaru Saranam Paavvajjami, Arahante Saranam Pavvajjami, Siddhe Saranam Pavvajjami, Sahu Saranam Pavvajjami, Kevalipannattam Dhammam Saranam Pavvahhami.
Q4. How many benefactors (mangalas) are there in this world.
Ans. There are four benefactors in this world.
Q5. What are these?
Ans. There are-1.) Arahanta, 2) Siddha, 3)Digambara monk (saint), 4) Kevali pranit dharma. (The religion propounded by the Omniscient).
Q6. How many supreme entities are there in the world? Who are these?
Ans. There are four supreme entities in the world:
1.Arihanta 2). Siddha, 3) Sadhu -Diagamber monk, 4) The religion propounded by the Omniscient
Q7. How many Saranas (Shelters) are their in the world and what are these?
Ans. There are four shelters in the world namely:
1. Arhanta 2. Siddha , 3)Diagamber Monk, 4.)The religion propounded by the Omniscient.
Q8. Are parents not shelters?
Ans. No, neither parents nor family is ashelter or refuge. All are related to one other with the feeling of selfishness.
Q9. Which of the paramesthi are know as Sadhu?
Ans. The pontiff,-the preceptor and the monk are know as the Sadhu. The Acharya, the Upadhyaya and the Sadhu (all Digamber Monks).

TIRTHANKARA

Q1. Who is the Thitthankara?
Ans. One who runs a tirth (pilgrimage), preaches other and passes through five fold auspicious occasions of life (panch kayak) is called a Tirthankara.
Q2. Who is God?
Ans. All those are omniscient, and omnipotent but without any malice and free from attachment are known as God.
Q3. State the number of Tirthankars.
Ans. There are 24 Tirthankaras.
Q4. State the names and emblem of the Tirthankaras of the present times.
Ans Names Emblem
1. Shri Rishab Nath Bull/Ox
2. Shri Ajith Nath Elephant
3. Shri Sambhav Nath Horse
4.Shri Abinandan Nath Monkey
5. Shri Sumati Nath Ruddy goose/ostrich
6. Shri Padamprabhu Lotus
7. Shri Suparswa Nath Fylfot
8. Shri Chandra prabhu The Moon
9. Shri Puspadanta Crocodile
10. Shri Sheetal Nath Kalptare
11. Shri Sreyansa Nath Rhinocerous
12. Shri Vasupuj He Buffalo
13. Shri Vimal Nath Pig
14. Shri Ananth Nath Porcupine
15. Shri Dharma Nath Adamant
16. Shri Santi Nath Deer
17. Shri Kunth Nath He-Goat
18. Shri Araha Nath Fish
19. Shri Malli Natha Vase
20. Shri Munisubrata Natha Tortoise
21. Shri Nami Nath Red Lotus
22. Shri Nemi Natha Conch
23.Shri Paraswa Nath Snake
24. Shri Mahavira Lion
Q5. Why the Tithankaras have emblems?
Ans. Emblems are Tirthankaras mark of identification:
Q6, Name the places of birth of 24 Tirthankaras.
Ans Names .............................................BIRTH CITY
1. Shri Rishab Nath Ayodhya
2. Shri Ajith Nath Ayodhya
3. Shri Sambhav Nath Sravasti
4.Shri Abinandan Nath Ayodhya
5. Shri Sumati Nath Ayodhya
6. Shri Padamprabhu Kausembi
7. Shri Suparswa Nath Banarasa
8. Shri Chandra prabhu Chandrapuri
9. Shri Puspadanta Kakandi
10. Shri Sheetal Nath Bhaddalapura
11. Shri Sreyansa Nath Singhapuri.
12. Shri Vasupuj Champa puri
13. Shri Vimal Nath Kampila
14. Shri Ananth Nath Ayodha
15. Shri Dharma Nath Ratnapuri
16. Shri Santi Nath Hastinapur
17. Shri Kunth Nath Hastinapur
18. Shri Araha Nath Hastinapur
19. Shri Malli Natha Mithila(Nepal)
20. Shri Munisubrata Natha Rajgrihi
21. Shri Nami Nath Mithila(Nepal)
22. Shri Nemi Natha Sauri pura
23.Shri Paraswa Nath Banaras or Varanasi
24. Shri Mahavira Kundalpur
Q7. Where did the 24 Tirthankaras got salvation from?
Ans. NAME  PLACE
1. Shri Adinath Kailash Mountain
2. Shri Vasupujya Champapuri
3.Shri Neminath Girnar Mountain
4. Shri Mahavir Pavapuri

And the rest 20 Tirthankaras gods attained Liberation from Sammed Shikkar Sidh Ksetra (also named as Parasanatha Hills).

Q8. Among the 24 Tithankaras, how many are there having more then one name?Who are they?

Ans They are these:1. Adinath, 2Puspadanta, 3. Mahavira
Q9. How many names do Adinath and puspadanta have?

Ans. Adinath ji has two names 1) Adinath & 2) Rishabnathji.
Puspadanta ji have 2 names 1) Puspadanta 2) Suvidhinathji

Q10. How many names does Mahavirji have?
Ans. Mahavirji has 5 names: 1)Vir, 2) Ativeer, 3) Sanmathi, 4)Vardhman, 5) Mahavir.
Q11. What are the colours of the Body of 24 Tithankaras?
Ans. The color of the bodies of Chandraprabhu and Puspadantaji is white, The color of Munisubradth and Neminathji is Black, the color of Suparnath ji and Parashnath ji is Green. The color of the rest 16 Tirthankaras is Yellow like that of the heated Gold.
Q12. Whose spiritual reign is going on now a days?
Ans. Now a days spiritual reign of Lord Mahavira the 24th Tirthankara is going on.
Q13. State the number and names of the tithankaraas who have Bachelors since there childhood?
Ans. Vasupjya ji 2) Malli natha ji, 3)Neminath ji 4)Paraswanatha ji, 5) Mahaviraji
Q14. State the numbers and names of the Tirthankaras holding 3 tittles (portfolios) altogether.
Ans. Shri Santinath, Shri Kunthunath and Shri Arahanath ji where the three tirthankaras who held three tittles namely Tirthankara, Universal Monarch and the cupid.
Q15. Who where the 24 Tirthankaras of the olden times?
Ans. The names of 24 tirthankaras of olden times are
Q16. Can we also becomes tirthankaras.
Ans Yes.
Q17. Was Shri Ramchandraji an Arahanta tirthankara?
Ans. No he wasn't. He was only Arahanta and at present he is an accomplished.
Q18. Who can become Tirthankara?
Ans One who practices 16 observances at the holy feet of the omniscient or the sruta omniscient can become a thirthankara.
Q19. Where are their souls now?
Ans. There souls are now days in Siddhasila.-the upper part of the World.
Q20. When and how do emblems o f thirthankaras get fame?
Ans. When a tirthakara is born, the Indra with his queen consort escorted by his retinue and several celestial beings come to the parents of the tirthankara child to take him to mountain Veeru for sprinkling ceremony on the eve of his birth. The queen consort of Indra hands the tirthankara child over to Indra. Meanwhile Indra finds a certain mark at the sole of the child and adopts it for his own flag as his emblem. Eventually the same becomes a distinctive sigh for the tirthankara.
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