Five supreme beings
Five supreme beings in Jainism (Panch Parmeshthi)
- Arihant: perfected beings who have conquered inner passions and possess infinite knowledge, perception, conduct, and energy. They are revered as Jinas but still have a body; after the end of their life they become Siddha.
- Siddha: liberated souls who have shed all karmas and exist in pure consciousness and bliss without a physical body.
- Acharya: the head of the Jain monastic order, the supreme spiritual teacher who guides the sangha.
- Upadhyaya: preceptors or teachers of scriptures, who preserve and explain Jain doctrines to ascetics and lay followers.
- Sadhu (Muni): Jain monks who follow strict vows and renounce worldly life in pursuit of liberation.
Notes:
- Digambar and Shwetambar traditions share the same framework of Panch Parmeshthi, but there can be differences in emphasis or terminology in certain texts or practices. The essential idea remains the same: reverence for the fivefold supreme spiritual authorities—Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, and Sadhu.