Who or what do Jains pray to
Answer
Jains pray mainly to the Panch Parmeshthi — the five supreme spiritual beings:- Arihant
- Siddha
- Acharya
- Upadhyaya
- Sadhu
They especially revere the Tirthankaras, who are Arihants.
Explanation
In Jain Dharma, prayer is not directed to a creator God who grants boons or controls the universe. Instead, Jains offer reverence to the enlightened and liberated souls who show the path of liberation.- Arihants/Tirthankaras: Souls who have destroyed inner passions and attained omniscience.
- Siddhas: Liberated souls who have reached moksha.
- Acharyas, Upadhyayas, and Sadhus: Spiritual guides and monks who live the Jain path.
The most well-known Jain prayer, the Navkar Mantra, salutes these five supreme beings.
Spiritual Understanding
Jain prayer is about:- showing respect to the pure souls
- remembering the ideal of self-purification
- seeking inspiration to follow the path of non-violence, truth, and detachment
So, Jains do not pray for worldly favors in the usual sense. They pray to cultivate inner purity and move toward liberation.