Answer

In Jain Dharma, when bowing, the most common sacred lines are from the Namokar Mantra:

Namo Arihantāṇam
I bow to the Arihants.

Namo Siddhāṇam
I bow to the Siddhas.

Namo Āyariyāṇam
I bow to the Acharyas.

Namo Uvajjhāyāṇam
I bow to the Upadhyays.

Namo Loe Savva Sāhūṇam
I bow to all Sadhus and Sadhvis in the universe.

Explanation

These lines express reverence to the Pancha Parmeshthi, the five supreme beings in Jain Dharma:

• Arihant – enlightened beings who have conquered inner enemies
• Siddha – liberated souls
• Acharya – heads of the Jain monastic order
• Upadhyay – spiritual teachers
• Sadhu/Sadhvi – monks and nuns who practice the path of liberation

Takeaway

When a Jain bows, the bowing is not to a person’s body, but to their virtues, purity, knowledge, and spiritual progress.